# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 252
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5022 "2024-12-24T17:44:50Z")
I answered “Something else” to the journal question, so I should explain I have a few notebooks where I keep various lists, such as a list of things of I am looking forward to in the new year, or places I want to go. Writing stuff down and then looking back and updating it really helps when I am going through periods of anxiety. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5023 "2024-12-25T00:35:48Z")
The overhead light on my range hood in the kitchen is always on. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5024 "2024-12-25T01:56:36Z")
Being Jewish, we were told there was no Santa but that we shouldn’t discuss this with the Christian children because that was between them and their parents. If I had children, I’d tell them the same (though since I’m married to a non-Jew, mine is not the only preference to consider). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5025 "2024-12-25T02:11:43Z")
I’m Jewish, but Santa used to visit my household. And i remember the day i learned that Santa Claus was actually my parents. Which is not to say they lied about Santa Claus. We did lie to our kids about the tooth fairy. We claimed the we weren’t the tooth fairy. We never said we weren’t Santa. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5026 "2024-12-25T02:44:08Z")
I don’t remember what, if anything, my parents told me about Santa Claus. I also don’t remember whether I ever believed in Santa Claus. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5027 "2024-12-25T05:28:16Z")
I don’t remember what I was told about Santa, but I do remember how I found out about the tooth fairy. Who had 5 o’clock shadow when he kissed me after putting the quarter under my pillow. I extrapolated from tat to Santa. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5028 "2024-12-25T05:35:53Z")
My response was pretty much the same as @susan’s, and for the same reason. We knew we got presents on Hanukah and that they were from family/friends, but still of course saw all the Xmas stuff but was told from a quite young age (I want to say 6ish?) that was a holiday for Christians and who cares because we got presents for MORE DAYS. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5029 "2024-12-25T05:56:03Z")
We were a religious family but my parents were cool with Santa. But on 12/24/59, when I was a week short of being five, I learned there was no Santa. We were in the car and getting ready to go to the children’s program at church. Mom forgot something and had to run back inside. There was a crack in the curtains and I saw her put away the milk and Oreos. But I didn’t tell the folks what I’d seen, as I figured it migth get me less goodies. I realized there probably wasn’t any Easter Bunny either but I didn’t want to risk losing out on the chocolate eggs. I remember this so distinctly but three years later Mom told me there was no Santa and I don’t recall that. She says I rep[lied “Oh I know that.” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5030 "2024-12-25T11:07:02Z")
I was the annoying kid who tried to convince the other kids that Santa was not real. I sorta regret that now. mmm ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5031 "2024-12-25T11:26:48Z")
At some point it clicked that Santa’s handwriting on the tags and my mother’s looked the same, and that they used the same wrapping paper. ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5032 "2024-12-25T14:24:14Z")
I told my kids that it didn’t matter what “Santa” brought them, anything other than wooden toys and he’d send me the invoice to pay for it. Those elves didn’t make your game boy there, son! 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5033 "2024-12-25T14:45:17Z")
> **[Broke Dad Makes Son PlayStation 2 For Christmas](https://theonion.com/broke-dad-makes-son-playstation-2-for-christmas-1819565860/)** > > DAYTON, OH–Determined to make his son’s Christmas dreams come true despite financial woes, David McManus spent three hours in his garage Monday constructing a PlayStation 2 from scrap lumber and transistor-radio components. "I can’t wait to see the... ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5034 "2024-12-25T15:45:25Z")
My mom grew up in Germany where the Christ child would bring presents while you were off at church on Christmas Eve, except they weren’t particularly religious, and so we opened presents on Christmas Eve, but had neither Santa, church, nor the Christ child. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5035 "2024-12-25T17:52:07Z")
I keep a ghost light on in the back of the basement. We have A LOT of shit back there, abd I don’t want anyone stuck back there in the dark where they could injure themselves. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I have never roasted chestnuts, but last year I ate one. > > It was all I could do to not spit it out. **Mrs Magill** has gone on about how good roasted chestnuts are and finally roasted some last year. I still can’t believe I put that thing in my mouth. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5036 "2024-12-25T18:04:56Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > I still can’t believe I put that thing in my mouth. That’s what she…aw, nevermind. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5037 "2024-12-25T18:11:38Z")
Thanks, MMM. Now I have something to post in the “What made me smile today” thread. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5038 "2024-12-25T18:27:56Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I don’t remember what, if anything, my parents told me about Santa Claus. I also don’t remember whether I ever believed in Santa Claus Oh, and I don’t have any children; so didn’t have to decide what to tell them. I did once respond to a suspicious young nephew who asked me whether Santa was real by saying “There are different kinds of real.” He took that as a “no”, though I hadn’t really meant it that way; but he was already suspicious, or he wouldn’t have been asking me. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5039 "2024-12-25T20:04:35Z")
Yeah, I guess I walked straight into that one. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5040 "2024-12-25T20:43:56Z")
If I could use my litigatory powers, then yes, there are multiple current-ongoing or past cases in the world in which I’d like to intervene as both a prosecutor and defender. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/5041 "2024-12-25T21:40:01Z")
What, you want to be both prosecutor and defender for the same case? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=251) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636.md?page=253)