Influencer Mom Says She's Ditching Santa, And Parents Are Divided Over Her Reasoning

Christmas traditions carry weight, especially the ones we remember from childhood. For many people, believing in Santa Claus ranks among their most treasured early memories...the anticipation, the magic, the morning excitement of discovering presents under the tree.

It's woven so deeply into how we celebrate the holidays that questioning it can feel almost sacrilegious to those who hold it dear.

But not everyone sees the Santa tradition as harmless fun. Some parents have started pushing back against the narrative, arguing that lying to children about a fictional character, even with good intentions, creates problems they'd rather avoid.

One influencer recently sparked intense debate by publicly explaining her decision to skip Santa entirely with her own kids, and the internet had plenty to say about it.

Shannen Michaela posted her reasoning on X, formerly Twitter, stating that the Santa story "sets up a foundational and delicate relationship upon lies."

She went further, suggesting that "the Santa narrative also feeds a consumerism-driven value system, where a child's 'worthiness' gets tied to performance for the year."

To elaborate on her position, she even created a five-minute YouTube video breaking down her thoughts in detail.

The response was immediate and sharply divided. Some parents agreed wholeheartedly, relieved to see someone articulate concerns they'd been quietly wrestling with themselves. Others reacted with anger and defensiveness, viewing her stance as an attack on cherished childhood experiences.

The conversation quickly escalated beyond simple parenting choices into deeper questions. Check out the full details below.

Shannen Michaela's video about ditching Santa has started a massive debate online

@ShannenPill / x.com

If we cast our minds back to childhood Christmases, much of the magic lived in our imaginations: leaving out milk and cookies for Santa, heading to bed early, and waking with excitement to see if "he'd visited".

But one influencer has opted to ditch the festive character altogether, arguing that "it sets up a foundational and delicate relationship upon lies."

Her argument centers on two main concerns: the ethics of deliberate deception and the capitalist messaging embedded in how Santa gets presented to modern children.

The "naughty or nice" framework, she suggests, conditions kids to link their value to behavior in ways that might carry lasting psychological effects.

Check out the full video

Plenty of parents rallied behind her perspective. Some supported Shannen, choosing to follow in her footsteps: "I like the Santa and the elves memes, but I refuse to lie to my kids about it. They know it is a game. They know it is a fantasy. I refuse to gaslight my kids..."

Another wrote: "Right. Because performance and long-term goals aren't necessary in the real world. And imagination about a Saint who works hard all year to reward good deeds is just stupid."A third chimed in: "I never did Santa with my kids, and I had no idea that so many people are opposed to such a choice. Jesus is the reason for the season."

Meanwhile, others jokingly suggested she "deserves coal" for stripping away a treasured piece of Christmas magic. The backlash came hard and fast from parents who view Santa as an essential part of childhood wonder that shouldn't be eliminated based on philosophical concerns.

"I will be lying to my kids idc," one hit back, as another added: "I think your kids would care that you 'lied to them' - that lie of one of the best and favourite childhood memories I have. I loved believing in Santa."Another brutally called it a "goofy and foolish" take, suggesting, "Santa is one of the most Christian concepts that teaches the value of giving and goodwill."

Beyond personal choices, many commenters worried about the social fallout. Some also voiced concerns about how her approach might affect other children: "Just don't let them ruin it for my children."

One joked, "I am sure all the other parents of the kids in your kids' class will love you guys when they all get told."

Whether you're team Santa or team 'no Santa,' one thing's clear: festive debates are here to stay, and they're no longer just reserved for the dinner table.

Parenting decisions that once stayed private now play out publicly, inviting judgment from strangers who feel entitled to weigh in.

Shannen's choice challenges a tradition millions consider untouchable, which explains the intensity of the response. Ultimately, every family gets to decide what feels right for their own kids, even if that decision makes everyone else uncomfortable.

Where do you stand on the Santa debate? Share your perspective in the comments.