Mom Wanted Cookies, Reindeer Treats, And Santa Magic — Instead She Got Accused Of Playing Favorites

Some families fight about the usual holiday stuff, like who brings the pie or whether the tree goes up on a Tuesday. This one went nuclear over cookies, Santa labels, and a grandkid who refuses to play along.

OP, 43, has kids with huge age gaps, including a 25-year-old from an earlier relationship, and two younger kids, ages 9 and 7, who still believe in Santa. At Christmas, she asked her daughter to talk to her daughter’s son, basically asking him not to burst the bubble for the younger kids. OP even offered “Santa” packages and reindeer treats, but her daughter said she wouldn’t make her son lie, and OP threatened to send everyone to the daughter’s apartment if they couldn’t keep the magic intact.

Now the only thing more controversial than birdseed “reindeer treats” is whether OP is “playing favorites” with her younger kids’ happiness.

The OP's daughter accused her of prioritizing her younger children’s happiness over hers.

AI-generated image

Original Post

I 43f have children with very large age gaps. My oldest is 25, that I had with a high school ex. Then we separated, and I married my husband much later. My younger two are 9, and 7.

My younger children believe in Santa, while my daughters son doesn’t. She raised him not with the Santa magic, which is perfectly okay I just rather not have it ruined for my children who do believe in Santa. I was having Christmas at my house and I asked my daughter if she’d please talk to her son, because I wouldn’t like the magic ruined for them. I still put packages under the tree with “from Santa” on them, and leave out cookies and reindeer treats (bird seeds.) My daughter told us she wouldn’t make her son lie, and my children are old enough to understand if her son decides to say something. I told her if she wouldn’t talk to her son, they could spend Christmas at their apartment. My daughter didn’t like that and said I was choosing my younger children’s happiness over hers, and that I was being completely unreasonable. My husband supports me but thinks I might be being a little high strung as our children are getting older. I just want to keep the Christmas magic alive. AITA?

Here's how the Reddit community reacted.

Monday0987

Will Christmas really be more magical without them?

ex-farm-grrrl

YTA.

CanaryIllustrious701

You're "choosing Santa over your family."

Deleted user

Your kids probably already know about that lie.

suchstuffmanythings

"I never believed in Santa."

Unique-Yam

Also, it’s like the woman who tried to leave a custom tip, then got charged 30% by accident.

"Bizarre and trivial."

karenobus

"You’re just looking for a convenient excuse."

SpoopieTheGreat

"A bit harsh."

bflamingo63

He's your grandson!

beingobservative

"You grossly overreacted."

dstarpro

You're never too old to believe in Santa.

Future-Crazy7845

"I understand your point completely."

blubbahrubbah

NTA.

spunkyfuzzguts

OP is trying to keep the “from Santa” packages and the cookie-and-birdseed tradition rolling for her 9-year-old and 7-year-old, but her daughter hears it as control.

When OP says her daughter’s son can choose to spoil things on his own, the daughter flips it anyway, calling OP unreasonable and claiming she’s prioritizing the younger kids.

Her husband backs OP, but even his “a little high strung” vibe makes it feel like the Christmas plan is already on shaky ground.

After the ultimatum about spending Christmas at the apartment, the family is left staring at the real problem: Santa magic colliding with a grandson who never got the script.</p>

In the end, the Redditor says she never meant to hurt her daughter, only to hold onto a tradition that still feels magical for her younger kids. As commenters weigh in, the family is left facing a familiar holiday question: when generations collide, should Christmas traditions bend, or is it okay to stand firm?

Nobody wants to be the Grinch, but this family might still end up there.

For another conflict over money, see the friend who ordered expensive dishes and refused to split the bill.