Do children still believe in Santa Claus in 2024?

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 cookieshe says.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Canadashe 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 familyshe 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.

It gives me pleasure to see the little ones up to three or four years old. […] They like giftshe 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 worldhe 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.

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 changingshe explains.

They begin to question and use logic more pronouncedlyshe adds while emphasizing the importance of respecting this process.

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 rewardedshe concludes, emphasizing that this can strengthen their ability to make good choices while preserving the magic of Christmas.