This is the approach our family takes:
We teach the truths of the holidays: Christmas is the time that we teach the Virgin Birth of Christ. Easter is the time we teach the death and resurrection. We read Scriptures, we watch movies, we go to church, we do advent calendars, have coloring books; whatever to get the truth that the Scriptures teach us regarding these important events.
In addition to this though, we also let the kids know that there are some fun traditions to be enjoyed as a family as well. My kids know that there isn't any relationship between Santa and the Babe, or between bunnies and the empty tomb. The Christmas Stocking and the Easter Basket don't have anything to do with the Virgin Birth or the Resurrection, but they're fun! And we enjoy them.
I think it's important to help kids understand the distinction between the truth of the holidays, and the fun traditions. I'm not saying that this approach would work for every family, but it works for ours and our kids have all the fun of the holidays that their friends have, but also learn core Biblical truths as well.
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