Does Santa Claus give presents to non-Christians?

[Indy Texas]

I've always tended to assume he gives presents to any children who celebrate Christmas, which would include many non-Christians (particularly in Japan and the Far East) and exclude a small number of Christians (mainly Jehovah's Witnesses and the like). At least that's what I would tell my children if I had any and they asked the question.

[Grumpier Than Thou]

My mom has almost accepted that i am non-religious and is still planning on getting me things for Christmas. So yes.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

No. (Bushie normal)

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

The topic has never come up in any family discussion.  I grew up in a household which was fairly low key about religion.  We went to church every Sunday, and some of the children's books had Bible stories, but there was never much cursing or prayer, with grace being said at meal times only when company was present.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

I don't know. Been a while since I viewed it from the perspective of someone actually believing in Santa.

[Smid]

Yes (accidentally voted no). Your assumption in the initial post was always my assumption, probably because I had plenty of non-Christian friends around me growing up, who would tell me what presents they got from Santa.

[DC Al Fine]

My parents told me Santa Claus didn't exist when I asked about it at age 3. I intend on doing the same with my kids.

[Indy Texas]

Yes (accidentally voted no). Your assumption in the initial post was always my assumption, probably because I had plenty of non-Christian friends around me growing up, who would tell me what presents they got from Santa.

Oh boy, once again Indy has posted a poll with wording opposite from the subject line.

[Joe Republic]

What an odd premise.  If he gave presents to non-Christian children, then why didn't they actually receive any?

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Well, Christmas is no longer a Christian holiday, so likely yes.

[bedstuy]

If I had kids, once they were old enough to cross-examine me about the minutia of Santa Claus's religious leanings, they would be old enough to know Santa is make-believe.

[Goldwater]

Well, my family celebrates Christmas and has never really been religious, so yes.

EDIT: Dammit, I didn't read the poll right. My vote should be no.

[Ban my account ffs!]

If I had kids, once they were old enough to cross-examine me about the minutia of Santa Claus's religious leanings, they would be old enough to know Santa is make-believe.

Minutia is a really awful word  

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

Well, Christmas is no longer a Christian holiday, so likely yes.

[dead0man]

Our kids have known Santa was BS since forever, we haven't put up a tree or any decorations for years.  They still get presents, but it's usually just $CASH$ and rarely on Dec 25th.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

By the way, here's a protip for those of you who want to keep your children believing in Santa Claus as long as possible.  Get someone else to sign Santa's name on the gift tags.  I noticed as a kid that Santa had the same handwriting as mom. However, lest you think I was some super sleuth, when I was in second grade I never noticed that the fake Santa who was at our school delivering presents to us kids at our Christmas party on the last day before Christmas break was my very own dad!

[Tender Branson]

Santa doesn't bring the Christmas presents anyway. Christkind does.

Santa brings small presents to children on St. Nicholas Day, which is tomorrow.

Oh you Americans ...

[© tweed]

By the way, here's a protip for those of you who want to keep your children believing in Santa Claus as long as possible.  Get someone else to sign Santa's name on the gift tags.  I noticed as a kid that Santa had the same handwriting as mom. However, lest you think I was some super sleuth, when I was in second grade I never noticed that the fake Santa who was at our school delivering presents to us kids at our Christmas party on the last day before Christmas break was my very own dad!

my tipoff was my grandpa coughing and munching on cookies at midnight eastern.

[Antonio the Sixth]

As a non-christian, I can testify this is indeed the case.

[MODU]

Since "Santa Claus" is a part of the secular holiday of Christmas, I see no reason why any kid is restricted from receiving presents.  Heck, some of my Jewish cousins celebrate the secular holiday of Christmas.  They even put up a tree and hang stockings.

[nclib]

I've always tended to assume he gives presents to any children who celebrate Christmas, which would include many non-Christians (particularly in Japan and the Far East) and exclude a small number of Christians (mainly Jehovah's Witnesses and the like). At least that's what I would tell my children if I had any and they asked the question.

Agreed.

Yes (accidentally voted no). Your assumption in the initial post was always my assumption, probably because I had plenty of non-Christian friends around me growing up, who would tell me what presents they got from Santa.

Well, my family celebrates Christmas and has never really been religious, so yes.

EDIT: Dammit, I didn't read the poll right. My vote should be no.

At least this cancels out.

[Smid]

I've always tended to assume he gives presents to any children who celebrate Christmas, which would include many non-Christians (particularly in Japan and the Far East) and exclude a small number of Christians (mainly Jehovah's Witnesses and the like). At least that's what I would tell my children if I had any and they asked the question.

Agreed.

Yes (accidentally voted no). Your assumption in the initial post was always my assumption, probably because I had plenty of non-Christian friends around me growing up, who would tell me what presents they got from Santa.

Well, my family celebrates Christmas and has never really been religious, so yes.

EDIT: Dammit, I didn't read the poll right. My vote should be no.

At least this cancels out.

Except that I think a "no" answer in the poll is the same as a "yes" answer to the thread title... so my no vote was actually correct...

[angus]

Does Santa Claus give presents to non-Christians?

By all means!

Certainly in the Far East and the United States.  My Hindu friends and East Asian friends and atheist friends tend to be visited by Santa Claus.  The only people I've met who were specifically anti-Santa Claus were Jews and Muslims and a few ex-Protestants who have sworn off religion in general.  My son has never asked me about any specific relationship between Christmas and religion, and since we celebrate Christmas the American way (irreligious, materialistic, consumerist) I don't imagine that the question would ever come up.  In fact, since we don't practice any religion at home, I doubt it has ever even occurred to him that Christmas has anything to do with Jesus.  I probably should school him in that at some point.  Hmm.  I think I will do that this year.  But yeah Santa Claus brings toys and other stuff to all the boys and girls who are on his "nice" list, and he puts a big turd on your pillow if you're on his naughty list.  At least that's what I've always told my son.


Ernest, you reminded me that my son noticed that "Santa Claus has the same kind of wrapping paper as we do" when he was about 5 years old.  He was always very cynical about Santa Claus.  He's 8 now and I'm pretty sure he has just been playing along for several years.  

[Kaine for Senate '18]

He gave me gifts, so yes.

[tmthforu94]

Santa Claus never existed for me.