Most (if not all) children that partake in the event learn about the presents
before they learn about the man Jesus.
Very true statement. we always taught our daughter that Christmas was about Jesus' birthday. of course, she still gets gifts and "santa" comes to see her but she has an understanding of why we celebrate Christmas. Last year we baked Jesus a birthday cake... it was my daughter's idea. She has already asked if we were going to bake another so i guess this will be a new tradition for us.