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

A 43-year-old mom has taken to Reddit after a Christmas tradition clash with her adult daughter left the family divided right before the holidays. The Redditor wanted to know if protecting Santa magic for her younger kids made her the villain of the story.

The OP explained that she has children with significant age gaps, including a 25-year-old daughter from a previous relationship and two younger children, ages nine and seven, with her current husband. Because of the age difference, the family is in very different stages of life, especially when it comes to holiday traditions.

The issue arose when the Redditor planned to host Christmas at her home, where Santa is still very much part of the celebration for her younger kids. Her daughter’s son, however, was raised without believing in Santa, which the OP respects but worries could spoil things.

The Redditor asked her daughter to talk to her son ahead of time and encourage him not to reveal the truth about Santa during the visit. She explained that her household still does Santa gifts, cookies, and even reindeer treats, and she wants to preserve that experience.

Her daughter refused, saying she would not ask her son to lie and insisted the younger kids were old enough to handle the truth. When the OP stood firm, she told her daughter they could spend Christmas at their apartment instead.

That suggestion did not go over well, and her daughter accused her of prioritizing her younger children’s happiness over her own. While the Redditor’s husband supports her decision, he gently suggested she may be a bit high-strung given the kids’ ages.

Now the OP is left wondering if she crossed a line or simply defended a cherished tradition. She ended her post asking Reddit the ultimate holiday question: was she wrong for wanting to keep the Christmas magic alive?

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

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Here's the original post by Reddit user 'No_Poetry7930'.

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

"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

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?