Quote: sootyj @ December 8 2008, 5:18 PM GMTThis is depressing, I wanted a bunch of images of fat, bearded old men doin wrong stuff.
Possibly for my own perverted purposes.
And it's degenerated into a breeders vs wankers debate.
It's like a Calpol advert in here.
Talking of old men doing wrong stuff, thank Christ Sootyj finally replaced his Avatar of that Austrian git (the Grinch was just fine though).
It's not a Santa.
But it is a dog dressed as a ninja.
, but poor dog. 
Well, returning to the theme:
Evil-clown-chainsaw-santa and girl with no face.
Just how naughty have you been?
Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ December 9 2008, 11:28 AM GMTThis is interesting because there is a bit of psychology behind this. I think magic is important in childhood. In theatre, there is a theory that play is a performers most important tool because it encourages creativity and we tend to lose that as we get older because we play a lot less. Remember when you were a child and how you were able to imagine anything like a twig being a magic wand or a shed being a castle, etc. A sense of magic allows boundaries to be broken down allowing more creativity which leads to many things such as artistic tendances, problem solving, and confidence building.
Breaking that illusion so early on has been shown in studies to stunt a childs development.
I do see where you're coming from but when a kid is playing make believe, he / she knows it's exactly that: make believe. Someone commented earlier on this thread that deep down kids really know the Santa thing is all just a game, but that's just not true. They really believe he's a living, breathing person, because of what we tell them.
I don't know - I just go along with it like everyone eolse but it still makes me feel uncomfortable - perhaps because my wee lad is such a sensitive soul and I can't bear the thought of him feeling betrayed. That's all.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ December 9 2008, 9:55 AM GMTWe were 16.
I may have my eyes closed but I've formed a fist, maybe just in case that hand slips a little further north.
Pervy tit-groping Santa! Still, at least you were legal.
Dolly Dagger is a tad hot.
Or at least she was.
Ha!
Stick to is.
Well thanks LEE ------ how about a SPOILER ALERT next time? What am I going to do with 3 packets of cookies, a gallon of milk and a pound of carrots now eh mate? Ahole, you ruined my whole Christmas - I will never get over this...
Quote: zooo @ December 9 2008, 6:39 PM GMTHa!
Stick to is.
Was.
Quote: Lee Henman @ December 9 2008, 6:25 PM GMTI do see where you're coming from but when a kid is playing make believe, he / she knows it's exactly that: make believe. Someone commented earlier on this thread that deep down kids really know the Santa thing is all just a game, but that's just not true. They really believe he's a living, breathing person, because of what we tell them.
I don't know - I just go along with it like everyone eolse but it still makes me feel uncomfortable - perhaps because my wee lad is such a sensitive soul and I can't bear the thought of him feeling betrayed. That's all.
If you don't mind me saying, it sounds like the actual problem you have is really that you dread the day you have to tell your children and how, not the actual Santa myth itself! Do you have friends with older children? Maybe it's worth sitting down with them. Awwwwww poor Lee!
My parents coped really well with the Santa myth. They first worked out way in advance what would be the right age to tell me. They didn't want to break the illusion too young but at the same time, they knew the older I got, the more kids would start to pick on me. They decided that I should know before my age reached double figures. Then they allowed ME to bring it up so when I asked if Santa existed, they took me aside and told me the truth. They even worked out what to say, explaining that I would still get a stocking for being good and it was important not to tell other younger kids I knew because it wasn't nice and only their mums and dads should decide to tell them.
I kinda knew the year before I found out because that was the year we missed Christmas because Mum was in hospital and Dad had broken his leg and I was out of school for a month because I had to care for him so there was no pressies or decorations and Dad avoided allowing me to get the stocking from the loft (I know, very weepy). To be honest, I was a bit sad when I learnt but I very quickly got over it, mainly cause I was still going to get my stocking. My friend Jane was the same and her parents got her involved in continuing the Santa myth for her younger siblings by allowing her to help pick their stocking fillers and such.
Quote: Lee Henman @ December 9 2008, 6:25 PM GMTI do see where you're coming from but when a kid is playing make believe, he / she knows it's exactly that: make believe. Someone commented earlier on this thread that deep down kids really know the Santa thing is all just a game, but that's just not true. They really believe he's a living, breathing person, because of what we tell them.
I don't know - I just go along with it like everyone eolse but it still makes me feel uncomfortable - perhaps because my wee lad is such a sensitive soul and I can't bear the thought of him feeling betrayed. That's all.
I agree with Ruby. And I don't think you'll son will feel betrayed. I think he will thank you for all the effort you've gone to in order to create this magical fantasy for him. Most kids, I'm sure, suss it all out for themselves anyway. I don't know how old he is but maybe, if he's eight or over, you could start letting some of the pretence slip and he'll begin to unravel it all himself in time? After all it's only supposed to be fun. And I think it's conforting for children and they feel more secure feeling that the parents have control and know things they don't.
How about leaving a lifesive dummy in a santa suit covered in blood and offal under the car?
Then a quick switch from "daddy killed santa," to "there never was a santa,"
You drop 'em swift then lift 'em up as swift.
Quote: Ben @ December 9 2008, 6:32 PM GMTDolly Dagger is a tad hot.
Or at least she was.
Believe me - she still is!
I don't know about the worst Santa, but is this the worst teacher?
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081211/tuk-teacher-sacked-over-santa-gaffe-dba1618.html
Lee - if your son was in this teacher's class, she's just saved you a job. What a meanie woman.
