ABSTRACT
When my family and I moved to the town of Rovaniemi in northern Finland, which the locals claim to be where Santa Claus lives and rules, my five-year-old daughter Meri announced she did not like Santa. In her mind, he threatens children by telling them they do not get presents unless they are nice. And one is not supposed to threaten people. Since Christmas was just around the corner, I told her she should discuss this with Santa. But when Santa came on Christmas eve, Meri sat silently and respectfully on her aunt's lap. When I asked her later why she had not brought up the issue, she said she did not want to — but made it clear she still did not like Santa's threats.
