Just the other night I was discussing with my parents how I was writing this very article you are reading now on whether or not dear Saintly Claus is a scam. About half way through our brainstorm, I start to get that odd feeling that someone is watching you. Well turns out there was. I turned around to find a young little redheaded boy staring up at me with huge teary eyes, “You mean Santa isn’t real?” This was not my best big sister moment. You must think I am a terrible Christmas- hater of a grinch to let this happen, but I am actually one of Santa’s biggest advocates!

I have the privilege of working in a home decoration store during the Christmas Season. At the end of the day, I walk out looking like an ornament your younger sibling proudly presented to your mother with so much glitter on it, you have to wonder what exactly it is supposed to portray. Nevertheless, I love working there, and I love Christmas. Actually, I love Christmas ALOT. I honestly believed Santa Claus was real until fifth grade. That is a rather long time…some may say too long. However, I still at least believe in the tradition of Santa Claus. Many people will try to tell you that the tradition of dear St. Nick is a scam. Do not believe them. Obviously they are just grumpy, crotchety scrooges who need to drink a little more eggnog. That fact aside, they also fail to see the true spirit behind the jolly giver. He represents the idea of giving freely without strings attached. That is a valuable lesson to learn as a child.

Some may say that this practice actually spoils children to think that they deserve presents all the time, however it does just the opposite.  Santa actually encourages children to think that every one deserves a gift, and to have a giving mindset. If Santa can spend all year making toys for you, can’t you at least share your Tonka truck with some one else? (Not to mention, as a babysitter, I find using Santa as blackmail for good behavior quite beneficial.)

Just two days ago I had to quickly fill in for a friend at a babysitting job. I usually try to avoid these children at all costs, because they are particularly unruly and rather mean spirited. However with the threat of Santa on my belt, it was a completely different story. They actually baked me brownies! Well, most of the mix ended up on the floor…and I spent the next half hour cleaning up their mess…but the Christmas spirit was there!

Santa is really the gift that keeps on giving. When you show a child that a “total stranger” cares enough to give them presents for Christmas, you show them an example of what they can do for others. Trust me, it works not only on mean spirited children you have to babysit but your own siblings. I have three younger brothers, and always during the Christmas season I find them opening up doors for me, volunteering to take out the trash, and snooping through my room doing research on what I need for Christmas. It is simply precious. The giving spirit of the idea of Santa Claus is contagious. Real or not, the saintly man is truly inspiring.