re: In Our House, There Is No Santa Claus

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But if a child is to be thankful, shouldn't the thankfulness be directed properly

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My god you have low self-esteem.

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Why does Christmas have to be about Santa? Why can't it be about something more substantive?

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It can be about multiple things, including Santa.

Rebelling against "bourgeois" social norms in order for the parents to feel superior. Then inventing all manner of rationalizations about how it's not about that, like in your story.

My son is 16 now, but I never told him Santa was real, but rather that it’s a game people play at Christmas so he wouldn’t ruin it for children who’s parents wanted them to believe. I feel that in the world he’s a part of that he needs to understand that a gift is not a gift unless it COSTS someone something, be it money, sweat, time, effort or tears, and when a gift is given to him it cost the giver and should be appreciated and respected accordingly. I couldn’t care less about that credit being given to me, my kid is spoiled AF, and knows he gets things from me all year long, I want him to know that when he gives it should cost him something, and when others give to him it should be respected. I want him to grow up as an adult who understands that things don’t come freely given, and to make rational and informed choices based on information he can trust, and for that reason, lying is never acceptable in my home. The truth, no matter how uncomfortable is always easier to deal with. People who lie to their children steal their right to the truth, and they can’t be surprised when that comes back to haunt them later when their children are grown.