Santa Claus embodies the magic of Christmas for many families. In the digital age, do children still believe in this imaginary character? How do parents preserve this tradition and what impact does it have on their development and the Christmas spirit?
For Sylvain, 4 years old, Santa Claus is a figure full of mystery and magic. When he comes to my house, he gives me gifts. He drinks milk and eats cookies
he says.
Open in full screen mode
Sylvain Spencer, 4 years old, takes part in Christmas celebrations with his Mimi at St-Augustin school. Magic works, for him, even in the simplest details.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
Sylvain, who does not have a chimney, imagines that Santa Claus can pass through the doors of his house.
Children like Margot, 5 years old, firmly believe that their gifts come from Santa Claus. They leave gifts at [pied] of my tree. I hope he gives me a doll.
Open in full screen mode
Margot Chohan, 5 years old, and her mother have fun at the Christmas carousel during the festive day organized by St-Augustin school.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
For her part, Olivia, 5 years old, even invents stories around the elves, explaining that one of them, hidden in a balloon, got hurt because she didn't clean her room.
At age 10, Alexander made sure to prepare cookies and milk for Santa, often accompanied by carrots for the reindeer.
Open in full screen mode
Alexander Brujic, 10, from St-Dominique school in Sudbury, is ready to celebrate Christmas with his family.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
When I was younger, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and wanted to open my presents so badly […] and sometimes I jumped on my parents' bed, still asleep.
Open in full screen mode
Jordella Munyakazi, 11, enthusiastically telling the story of Santa Claus at St-Dominique school.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
This overwhelming excitement is a rite of passage for many children, like 6-year-old Jordella, who recounts with enthusiasm. Santa Claus gives us gifts because Jesus asked him to do so. He comes by when everyone is asleep and comes to put their presents under the Christmas tree.
Open in full screen mode
Every year, Justine Battochio, 10, and her family prepare chocolate cookies, milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
Santa Claus embodies the magic of Christmas for Justine, in 5th grade at St-Dominique school. I love Christmas, it's very very very special because I believe in the magic of Christmas.
Parents and the magic of Christmas
Parents play a key role in preserving the magic of Christmas, as Alicia Santerre points out. Mother of two young children, she insists on the importance of this tradition.
Open in full screen mode
Alicia Santerre and her daughter Diem, 4, sharing a magical Christmas moment at St-Augustin school.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
She remembers her own childhood Christmases, surrounded by many children in her family. There were twelve children in the family, so it was really a big family. Then, on December 24, Santa Claus came to my grandparents' house.
For her, it's not just about gifts, but the family spirit that comes from them.
She shares with her children the importance of gratitude, reminding them that some gifts also come from family and not just from Santa.
Open in full screen mode
For Michèle Leblond, Olivia's mother, children from diverse cultures, the figure of Santa Claus can be a way of asserting their identity, of feeling valued and represented in traditions.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
This same spirit is found in the reflection of Michèle Leblond who evokes the cultural dimension of Santa Claus.
She explains that Christmas, in her family in Cameroon, was mainly centered around the Church and the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
It was a lot more Christmassy once I came to Canada
she specifies.
When I was growing up in Africa, Santa Claus was always black, like us.
Little Olivia's mother insists on the importance of representation, especially with regard to Santa Claus. Outside her house, she has a decorative brown Santa Claus, as described by her daughter Olivia.
This is important to me because I want my children to see that there is representation in our family
she said There are Santas of all diversity, of all colors, and who look like each of us.
Santa Claus: a role that preserves the magic of childhood
Roland Perron, who has played Santa Claus for years, loves seeing the light in children's eyes when they still believe in him.
Open in full screen mode
Roland Perron shares his magic with children. According to him, this belief contributes not only to the magic of the holidays, but also to optimism and hope among young people.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
It gives me pleasure to see the little ones up to three or four years old. […] They like gifts
he explains.
For him, it is essential that this period of belief be preserved, because it allows the magic of childhood to be prolonged. It keeps them still children, before they get too old. And then, let them stop believing that there is still good in the world
he adds.
The benefits of believing in Santa Claus
Diana Coholic, professor of social work at Laurentian University and mental health practitioner, highlights the benefits of belief in Santa Claus for children.
According to her, imagination and fantasy are essential for young children. They help them understand the world and find meaning in it.
Open in full screen mode
According to Diana Coholic, professor and mental health practitioner, the belief in Santa Claus offers children a space to explore their emotions, develop their creativity and strengthen family bonds, while cultivating a magical atmosphere around Christmas.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
This belief also plays a role in the development of critical thinking.
Most children discover the truth on their own, often around age six or seven, because this is a time in their development when their thinking is changing
she explains.
They begin to question and use logic more pronouncedly
she adds while emphasizing the importance of respecting this process.
Open in full screen mode
Children surround Santa Claus at St-Augustin school, impatient to receive their gifts.
Photo: - / Déborah St-Victor
If a child is afraid of Santa, she recommends to simply validate the emotion.
For example, let him know that it's okay to feel the way he feels.
She also discusses the importance of diversity in the representation of Santa Claus. I think for children from different cultures, it's great if they can understand Santa Claus based on their culture.
Finally, Diana addresses the concept of be good, Santa Claus is watching you.
According to her, this aspect generally does not have a negative long-term effect.
It can be beneficial for children's development to understand that sometimes in life you just need to behave well to be rewarded
she concludes, emphasizing that this can strengthen their ability to make good choices
while preserving the magic of Christmas.