Have you ever told a kid that Santa Claus didn't exist?

Question

Why'd you do it? How'd he/she react?

Answer 1

Only my own... they were quite young and had it figured out... "why does Santa have YOUR handwriting...???" lol

I explained the whole thing, and they were pretty thrilled that the gifts and fun remain without pretending there is a Santa guy.

I was so proud of them using logic like that... *sigh of contentment*

Answer 2

I was told they existed and I left a class of milk and cookies out for santa when I was a child. When I found out he and all the rest of the fictional childhood stories were not true I felt grown up. It didn't disturb me to lose something I never had, meaning I never saw them. Ok I saw santa in the mall, but something in the back of my mind I can still remember was off. Santa was someone different every year. With my own three children I didn't deny or confirm for it was others such as Grandma's, Auntie's and other children in the family that carried on with that nonsense with mine. They too figured out on their own pretty much that these fictional characters are not real. I'm not against the telling of a lie in this matter as long as the truth be told of why these holidays are and have come to be and these reasons are more respected and honored rather than the illusion. I also suppose the finding out that they have been lied to could be traumatic to some children, but I wouold think these to be a bit overly sensitive children and or too sheltered. Most children are far too busy discovering, learning and pressing on to let a thing like santa not being real to upset them for too long. Children are far more intelligent and resilient to be shattered by a character they have never really seen except for in a book or the T.V.

Answer 3

Yes, when my kids got old enough to ask. I'm a Christian, and I made sure my kids knew what the real meaning of Christmas was--we even had a birthday cake for Jesus every Christmas. But I think fantasy is an importat part of creative energy to develop a child's mind, (and an adult's), and so "Santa Claus" was also a big part of our celebration. I never even wrapped my children's gifts until they went to bed on Christmas Eve, and then I always had to use paper that was different from all the other paper I used. When it came time to tell them the truth, I told them from my heart. Santa Claus is real--just not real in the way we think of him. He represents the excitement and surprize tied in with Christmas from the days way back with Kris Kringle. (Then I'd tell them the story of Kris Kringle, and how the wooden shoes would be left out on the doorstep that night). I told them to never let anyone say there was no such thing as Santa--the spirit of Santa is so real, and lives in the hearts of people all over the world. I connect it all to "gifts" and how gifts represent love by the people who give them to their loved ones. And I always ended what I said with the "Ultimate Gift", the Gift of God the Father to the world---the Infant Baby Jesus. How did my children react? While probably being disappointed for a little while, they kept the spirit of Santa in their lives, and mainly the Spirit of the True Christmas Story, and will be passing that on to their own children when they reach the age to ask that question, "Is there really a Santa Claus?"

Answer 4

Santa Claus DOES exist, he was a real person, St. Nicolas, the act of gift giving on x-mas is just a tradition that people use to keep his memory alive. That's all you really need to say to them. If they ask why, just tell them because Santa Claus wants people to have gifts and that should satisfy them.

Answer 5

I wouldn't, kids deserve a sense of wonder. As they grow they can get it by thinking about the universe and all the varied life on our planet.

Its the adults I don't pull punches with. If an adult believes in someone much like santa that will give them an eternal present or an eternal lump of coal (huh, coal is for burning - never saw that connection before) for being naughty or nice? That's when I refuse to hold back.

Answer 6

Why would anyone teach an innocent child that santa claus
does exist? It is a sin to lie, and ALL sinners have their
part in the lake of fire, don't they? Why can't people see
how evil it is to tell your child that the powers which belong
to God ALONE belong to a fake? Only God knows if we've
been good or bad.

THINK about the things we tell our babies about santa, that
only God has the power to perform. Can't you, who claim to
be Christian, see the great evil in doing this?

Only by moving one letter in the word santa changes it to
satan. Isn't that a sign about the evil of it? Satan's whole
purpose is to rob God of His Glory, and take it for himself.
Through santa, we are allowing him to accomplish his
desire.

edit: A few answerers are speaking of the "spirit" of
santa living in their hearts. Now, this is a sick thought.
We are commanded to try the spirits to see if they be
OF God. No lie is of God. Nothing else need be said!!

Answer 7

No, that's mean. Children should be allowed to enjoy such fantasies until they become older and more mature. Then they should learn to abandon all ideas of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jesus, the Tooth Fairy, God, Satan, etc. It's part of being a responsible adult.

Answer 8

Yes, I started out with my own son as soon as he understood language. I told him Santa Clause is not real, but he is something that people do to celebrate Christmas. I also told him the real reason we celebrate Christmas. He always had a good Christmas and understood. My son is a literalistic person and wouldn't have trusted me, had I lied about Santa and then told him he wasn't real I feel i did the right thing.

Answer 9

No, primarily because Santa Claus *does* exist.

True, there is no jolly old elf in a red suit that runs around handing out goodies on Christmas Eve. However, the spirit of Christmas that Santa Claus represents is alive and well.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...

Answer 10

Yep, my little brother.
My parents said Santa would only come when everyone was asleep and one Christmas Eve when I was 6 or 7 I woke up and the presents were under the tree and I could hear my parents laughing in the kitchen.
So I knew then it was really them. My brother was 2 years younger. ;-(