The Santa Question: Honouring Belief, Curiosity and Unique Traditions

Lately, the topic of Santa has been popping up in conversations with people of all ages. For some of patients the mere mention of Santa brings excitement, twinkling eyes and joy when talking about Christmas—sharing their plans, decorating stories and the sheer magic of the season. Others remain quiet, reminding me of the beauty in how unique and diverse our celebrations and beliefs can be during this season.

As someone who absolutely loves the holiday spirit, I find immense joy decorating the home and office space. Many of you know I started putting up my Christmas tree in the second last week of November. (If you are curious about why decorating early is uplifting, you can read more here.)

For me, this time of year is an opportunity to reflect, connect, and embrace the traditions that fill my heart. Decorating my home and office space always brings a sense of peace and anticipation. Each light strung and ornament placed is a reminder of the magic of the season—a season that invites us to lean into love, connection and wonder.

The glistening lights and each hanging ornament is a reminder of the magic this season invites us to embrace love, connection and wonder.

There is one recurring question that often arises;

“Is Santa real?”

This question opens a doorway for both children and adults.

For children, this question opens the door to curiosity and imagination. For adults, it often invites reflection and deeper conversations about what the season means. Whether you believe in Santa or not, the magic of this question lies in how it invites us to reflect on our unique traditions, beliefs and connections.

When the Santa question arises, how do we respond?

Children—and let’s be honest, adults too—are full of curious questions:

“How do reindeer fly?”

“How does Santa get to every house in one night?”

“How does he fit inside my chimney?”

The beauty of these questions is that they spark conversations that go beyond logic. They allow us to connect, explore and dream. Instead of providing a simple yes or no when asked about Santa, consider turning the question around and saying:

“What do you think?”

This approach empowers critical thinking while preserving the magic of belief. It invites children—and even adults—to explore their feelings and thoughts about what Santa represents.

It is important to honour individual beliefs and remember that believing in Santa is much like believing in anything else—is deeply personal. Some hold onto the magic of Santa for a lifetime, while others let it go as they grow.

Both are completely valid and deserve respect.

We respect someones choice to believe in a particular religion, so why not extend the same courtesy to those who believe in Santa? If someone believes in Santa, that is their prerogative.

The heart of the story of Santa is a celebration of generosity, love, kindness, connection and the joy of giving. It is a symbol that connects us across cultures and ages, inspiring us to embrace the magic of kindness.

For me, Santa is more than a jolly man in a red suit. He represents the spirit of Christmas—the values of love, hope, generosity and connection that transcend age or culture.

Historically, the story of Santa begins with Saint Nicholas, a real man born in the 3rd century AD known for his acts of generosity. It wasn’t until the 19th century that he took on the familiar form of a jolly old man with reindeer and a sleigh.

Let me share something. Santa is not just a topic for children. 

His story lays the foundation for larger values like altruism, open-mindedness and respect. The transition from believing in Santa as a literal figure to embracing what he symbolises is part of growing up—but this does not mean the magic has to fade.

The beauty of the holidays lies in their ability to reflect our individuality.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or another tradition—or none at all—each season offers a chance to connect with what brings us joy, peace and love.

Let their curiosity guide the conversation. 

For many children, scepticism about Santa arises between the ages 7-10, though this can vary widely. When children start to ask the ‘Santa question’’, it is work pausing to consider why they are asking:

Did they overhear something at school or in the playground?

Are they thinking critically or logically about how Santa ‘operates’?

What would it mean to them if Santa were real—or not?

What does believing—or not believing—in Santa mean to them?

Let their curiosity guide the conversation. 

When someone asks if Santa is real, resist the urge to give a simple yes or no.

Instead, you can choose to turn it around:

“What do you think?”

This response encourages critical thinking, creativity, and personal reflection. It allows the other person to shape the conversation, leading with their thoughts and readiness.

A child who seems devastated at the thought that Santa might not be real might need reassurance and redirection to preserve the magic a little longer. Meanwhile, a child who says they “already know” may just be seeking confirmation. 

If the time feels right to share your truth, you can do so in a way that preserves the spirit of Santa. You can be honest without spoiling the magic by explaining that Santa represents the magic of giving, generosity and love. 

If the time feels right, you can explain Santa in a way that preserves the magic:

“Santa represents the spirit of kindness, love, giving and generosity. Now that you are growing up, you can help spread that magic to others.”

OR

“Santa represents the spirit of kindness – he inspires us to give, connect, love and believe in something bigger than ourselves. Now that you are older, you can choose to carry that spirit forward and share it with others in your own way.”

This explanation allows children to transition from receivers of magic to creators of it.

You might like to invite them to take on a role of Santa for a younger sibling, friend or neighbour. This strategic shift—from receiver to giver—can help keep them carry the spirit of the holidays alive in a way that feels meaningful and empowering.

There is so much beauty in unique traditions and beliefs. Traditions are unique expressions of who we are, what we value and how we connect with the world and those around us.

One of my favourite holiday traditions is sprinkling magical reindeer food outside to help Santa find his way. It sparkles under the moonlight, a simple yet enchanting ritual that fills the air with wonder. Each ritual holds meaning and memory.

What are your favourite holiday traditions? 

Traditions evolve just as we do.

If your traditions no longer bring you joy or feel meaningful, it is more than okay to create new ones. Maybe this year, instead of focusing on gifts, you want to celebrate with a cozy pyjama brunch, volunteer as a family or share stories over hot cocoa. 

Similarly, if the beliefs of someone else differ from yours, it is important to honour their perspective. The holidays are a time for connection, not a time for judgment. Whether someone believes in Santa, another figure, or nothing at all, their humanity remains intact and they deserve respect and kindness.

As adults, we often lose touch with the magic we felt as children. Belief isn’t just for the young—it is a choice we can make at any age—to believe in something bigger than ourselves, in the unseen magic of love, connection and hope.

Whether you believe in Santa as a literal figure or as a symbol, his spirit invites us to reflect on what matters most:

The joy of giving.

The magic of connection.

The belief in something bigger than ourselves.

As an almost 35-year-old, I still wholeheartedly believe in Santa. Not necessarily in the man with a red suit and reindeers (or do I).... but in the spirit he represents—the joy of giving, the magic of connection and the belief in something bigger than ourselves. I believe that Santa Clause represents so much more than meets the eye in the somewhat over-commercialised version we all know so well.

I recently watched I Believe in Santa, a film that posed an interesting question:

If the person you love still believes in Santa, do you accept it—or send it back?

For me the answer is simple. I still believe.

Not because I need proof, but because belief adds a layer of wonder and magic to life. Whether it’s Santa, love or the goodness of humanity, belief inspires us to give, connect and celebrate.

I hope I always will believe. And more than anything, I hope your belief outlives the scepticism of the world around you.  Believing in Santa—or any form of magic—doesn’t require proof. It requires faith, imagination and a willingness to embrace the unknown and the unseen magic in life.

No matter how you celebrate, the holidays are an opportunity to reflect on what matters most—love, joy, connection and the beauty of our unique traditions and beliefs. The magic of the season is what you make of it.

Children—and let’s be honest, many adults—are full of questions that go beyond logic, brimming with curiosity and wonder.

This year, as you string up lights, place the star on your tree, or sprinkle magical reindeer food outside, take a moment to reflect:

How do reindeer fly?

How is Santa so quiet?

How does Santa remember the name of every child?

How does Santa fit down the chimney?

How does he know exactly what to bring?

What would the world be like if we all believed in the magic of giving all year round?

The beauty of these questions is in the conversations they spark, rather than in the answers. These are moments to explore, connect and share the joy of storytelling. They are also an opportunity to plant seeds of imagination that grow into deeper thought and belief systems as we age.

This holiday season, I invite you to celebrate the beauty of diversity in belief and tradition. 

May we honour our unique perspectives and embrace the spirit of giving, receiving, curiosity, love and joy.

Let’s keep the magic alive—not just for the children, but also for the child within each of us.

What are your favorited holiday traditions? 

Do you still believe in Santa? 

I would love to hear your thoughts!