Word: claus
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...magic out of parenting, not to mention childhood. Christmas, however, is a time when believers in the plain truth should consider applying some varnish. Parents might want to explain away the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Elvis' ghost and E.T. But we shouldn't be too literal about Santa Claus...
Richard Eyre, father of nine and author of Teaching Our Children Values, says he introduced the concept of "real/imaginary" to his children when they were little. "The birth of Jesus is real/real," he says. "It's an actual historical event that we celebrate. Invisible friends are imaginary/imaginary. Santa Claus is real/imaginary. He's in-between." Eyre says his kids were relieved to be offered an option of believing in the spirit of Christmas without having to be too literal about Santa Claus, and that the tradition of real/imaginary has been passed on to his grandchildren...
...need to brush up on holiday skepticism should do themselves a favor and rent Miracle on 34th Street. (The original 1947 movie, starring a very young Natalie Wood, is wonderful.) Another great source of inspiration for parents and kids is the original "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus," an editorial written by Francis P. Church for the New York Sun in 1897, in response to a doubting letter from Virginia O'Hanlon, 8. The essay is available at www.about.com and in an illustrated book version published by Delacorte Press...
Accompanied by an accordion player dressed as Santa Claus, supporters of the Eviction Free Zone (EFZ), a Cambridge activist group, caroled Saturday afternoon in Central Square to raise awareness about tenants' rights...
...same weekend, across the river at Boston's Prudential Center, Ed Savage lets forth a hearty chuckle as he sits easily on top of his sleigh, decked out a furry red and white Santa Claus costume. A tot riding by in a stroller waves and laughs when Santa waves back...