THE Christmas shopping rush seems chaotic in one mall that I visited. It was a mass of humanity.

A child caught my eye as she fancied the Santa Claus display. It reminded me of how the kid in me once believed that there was a Santa Claus who owned a toy factory in the North Pole.

Back then, I made it a point to write my Christmas wish to Santa Claus. I placed my wish inside a big sock and hanged it outside my window before Christmas Eve. I was one of those kids who pretended to sleep before Christmas eve. But I was hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus and his reindeers. I was not able to catch him, though. Nonetheless, the eight-year-old kid in me continued to believe until I learned the truth one Christmas morning.

My world of make-believe was shattered when Santa Claus did not grant my wish. Instead of a tiny world toy which I wanted so badly, Santa Claus gave me a sock of candies and chocolates. As I proceeded to the kitchen for breakfast, I saw the same candy brand on top of our refrigerator. That Christmas, I cried.

Parents should be responsible to explain to their children who Santa Claus is and what he symbolizes, according to child psychologist Ma. Soccoro Villariba.

“The important thing is you teach them the values being symbolized in Santa Claus’ presence, such as being generous and selfless,” stressed Villariba.

According to Villariba, children tend to become materialistic if they grow up without a clear understanding of Santa Claus.

Villariba said parents should show that anybody can be a Santa Claus even children themselves.

She suggested that parents can bring their children in homes of the less fortunate where they can share their old clothes and toys.

“We don’t want to instill in them greed. We don’t want to instill in them selfishness. We want generosity and sharing. The more you share the more you become blessed,” said Villariba.

As a parent, Villariba said she presented Santa Claus to her children as a symbol of sharing and giving. Nonetheless, she taught her children to focus more on the real essence of Christmas, which is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Discovering that Santa Claus is not just one person may be painful for kids. But it is great to learn that anyone can be a Santa Claus.