The kids are getting to the point where they’re too old to believe in Santa. How do I broach the subject lightly without breaking their hearts?
JR: I can still remember my parents sitting me down my senior year in high school and breaking the news. Twelve years later, this heart is still mending (and holding out a little bit of hope).
JW: What do you mean? What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t they? What do you know about Santa that you’re not telling me? You’re going on the naughty list lickety split if you continue to disparage “His Jollyness.”
JT: My parents told me those who don’t believe in Santa don’t get presents from Santa. Therefore, I still believe in Santa. There’s no such thing as too old. There’s only an evolution of how we recognize his role in the holidays and continue the traditions surrounding him.
My mom really wants us to go to church with her on Christmas Eve. My wife and I don’t go to church the rest of the year, and don’t want to seem like fakers. Should we just go and make Mom happy, or decline and hope she’ll get over it?
R: Ahhh Christmas Eve. Or as I call it, “Church Day.” You probably disappoint your mom the 364 other days of the year. Just go and make your mom happy.
JW: My rule is, when you get the chance to play with fire, you play with fire. Just go and do the sweet candle and paper drip circle thing.
JT: Just go. Do you really want your mom sitting all alone at church on Christmas, surrounded by more compliant families? Yep, she got to us, too.
How do I throw a Christmas party without offending my non-Christmas-celebrating friends?
JR: I go to Super Bowl parties even though I could care less about football. No one should be offended by partying. It’s the only thing we all share.
JW: Stop being friends with soft-ass clown punks. Just throw the party and let others throw whatever party they want to throw, and don’t be offended by their parties.
JT: I’ve been to Hanukkah parties, non-denominational holiday gatherings, and I celebrate St. Patrick’s day although I’m zero percent Irish. What do these have in common? They’re all an excuse to enjoy time with the people we care about. Extend invites to everyone you’d like to invite, regardless of religion. If theyare uncomfortable, they will politely decline. Odds are, theywill welcome a reason to celebrate, too.
