The other day, I went to a website called PortableNorthPole.tv to make a video for Thing 2, the 5-year-old.
You type in your child’s name, hometown and a little about the child, and Santa emails you a link to a personalized video. When Santa opens his book of children, there’s a picture of Thing 2, and when he’s talking about his Christmas Eve flight, there’s a map with a line from the North Pole to the state where we live. It’s a neat little trick.
Thing 2′s Christmas list is a work in progress — he’ll say he wants something, then he’ll change his mind — so Santa was vague on what Thing 2 was getting. In the video, he says something like, “I know you want something special for Christmas, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Thing 2 was mesmerized. He’s been asking me whether Santa is real, but here was a video from Santa, addressing him by name (although Santa’s mouth was obscured by a thick mustache and whiskers).
Last night,with Christmas only 2 weeks away, I asked Thing 2 again what he’d like. He a few small presents under the tree, but we’re still trying to draw a bead on his “big” present. I was hoping Thing 2 had made up his mind or at least narrowed the list.
But when I asked what he’d like for Christmas, he answered, “Santa knows.”
What?
“Santa knows. He said he knew I wanted something special, but he didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but he knows what I want.”
I don’t know what Thing 2 wants, but Santa does, and if Santa is real, then, obviously, he’ll come through.
Wish me luck finessing this one.
Oh no! Maybe ask the other kid. I’m sure there’s been discussion. Or you could say something like, well, Santa knows, but I don’t like surprises, so could you tell ME what you asked for?
Great idea, Renee!
Looks like you’re just going to have to do a Vulcan mind-meld with the child.
I was thinking more of a Jedi mind trick. “These aren’t the Legos you’re looking for. You wanted underwear for Christmas. Move along.”
Awesome!
This is a problem. Can Santa send a video saying he lost a page of list?
That’s not a bad idea.
Oh you’ve dug yourself into a fine hole with this one, Todd! Thing 2 is wise beyond his years. You’re going to have to enlist some “help,” maybe hint that Santa asked you for the particulars of this “big” present and you’re just trying to make the elves’ job easier. Good luck!
I’ll try that.
Maybe you can indicate you need to know to make ROOM for this special thing. Is it huge? Is it delicate, will it break if not stored properly. Feel like you’re playing “GUESS WHO” Is it alive…will mommy and daddy need to have a bed/food for a pet? We gotta prepare or we’d be irresponsible.
One year, my stepbrother asked my mom why everyone else got something in their stocking but she didn’t. Was she bad that year? We always had the BIG SANTA gift at the end of the presents we received from our parents. One year, my step brother commented that Santa used the same wrapping paper as our other presents.
Thank goodness, I fall back on this and ensure all wrap differs. My stocking always has something. Yours is a new problem. Good luck with that!
(right up there with “why do some kids get different amounts from the Tooth Fairy?”)
What’s funny is that before I had kids, I told myself, I’m always going to tell them the truth, and I’ll never lie to them, and then I’m like, There’s this guy at the North Pole, and he has elves and flies around the world once a year delivering toys! So, it’s my own fault.
Oh dear, Todd…hope you can make it out of this one! Good luck!
Wendy
I’ll figure something out. Worse comes to worse, I’ll tell Thing 2, Well, I guess you weren’t nice enough. (I’m kidding.)
Good luck!
I think it’s a puppy. Doesn’t every kid want a puppy?
Things 1 and 2 are very up front about wanting a puppy, and I’m very up front about my allergies. I might have to do something about my allergies, though, because I’d love to have a puppy, too.
I had this last year with my oldest. He kept telling me when I asked that he was saving it to tell Santa at the mall. Grrrr. I eventually got it out of him with some sort of mindmeld thing or something. Currently, I am still smarter and craftier than his (then) 5 year old mind. Those days are soon to be coming to an end, I fear.
How about telling him you were thinking of getting him a present and don’t want to get him the same thing? Although, that could backfire if he wants 2 of whatever it is . . .
Have you figured it out yet Todd? The suspense is killing me.