I looked up this thread because I was discussing it with a friend with a small child. I was one of those kids who felt betrayed when I found out my parents had lied to me about Santa. With my son, we treated it like a game. He knew from the time he was small that Santa, Easter bunny, tooth fairy were fun things to pretend. “Santa” was about giving presents without taking credit. And he grew into a young man who enjoys giving more than receiving.

I think it’s incredibly foolish to perpetuate a lie that not only takes away credit from hardworking parents, but will ultimately sow seeds of distrust in their children when they find out that Santa isn’t real.

I think age is the greatest tool a parent has. Until an age they figure it out or society, school, television pushes them in to the truth, their imagination should be free this truth.

If I were ever so fortunate as to have kids I’d tell them the whole truth from day one: it’s play-acting, and plays can be fun! And I’d make sure that the Santa play wasn’t the only seasonal production around our house. We’d play Halloween, and Easter and Thanksgiving and all the rest.

We did not raise our children in church and we did Santa. The Christmas Season in America has evolved to encompass all religions and levels of Society. The Santa legend has been morphed by Hollywood and time to be a fun and exciting character that children from everywhere should be able to enjoy. I don't say "Merry Christmas" anymore. I say Happy Holidays or Happy Santa Day. Santa, Rudolf, Frosty the Snowman, Elf on a shelf...it's all about fun and sharing experiences.

We made Santa an imaginary figure from the start and all played along. The kids had fun with it even though they never thought he was "real".

I always told my daughter Santa got her one present. I didn't want him getting all the glory : ) How do you deal with parents of your kid's friends who want them to believe?

@Falcopex -- I avoid handling Santa. I can't afford the legal costs the harassment suit would bring.

I am a single parent of a 11 yr old and a 14 yr old. Santa was part of our Christmas routine until a couple of years ago when my kids naturally figured out 'the deal'. I always had a bit of guilt thinking I was harming them emotionally by continuing to perpetrate this fraud, but that wasn't the case. Things worked out fine. There is a sense of lost innocence though now that Santa is no longer real. =(

When my children were old enough to ask if he was real, I figured they were old enough to be told no. I believe it's detrimental to a child to find out they were lied to; after all what else have the parents lied about.

I don't think there is anything wrong with stories and fantasies. Especially for children. If they are enjoying it, I would enhance it as much as possible. Get a sleigh and some reindeer if you can...there is no reason to take the fun out of something so you can indoctrinate the child into their more than likely 9-5 reality at such a young age. Hell, I even used voices when reading my boyo bed time stories. Reality will bite them in the ass soon enough...haha

Santa is very secular these days. I don't have a problem with the guy in the red suit.