I honestly don’t remember. I must have been young or my parents never lied to me, lol. I’m not sure if it was different since I grew up in Norway. in Norway you actually celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. You set the tree up and everything on Christmas Eve.
Since my mom was American, she changed it up a little bit. We were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning like usual.
I don’t recall ever thinking santa was real… I mean I vaguely remember sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall just cause.
Movies etc. But he was just a character. No one ever pretended he was real or tried to convince you he was watching you to get you to behave or write letters to Santa or wrote from Santa on presents or any of that nonsense.
@unksol Same here. My parents always told me that Santa was fun to pretend, but don’t tell other children he isn’t real.
We’ve done the same with our kids.
@Limewater@unksol
I know different cultures have different holiday traditions but I’ve never herd of parents telling kids when they were young that there was no such thing as Santa but don’t tell the other kids. But I guess that makes sense if that’s not what you celebrate.
@Star2236@unksol We celebrate Christmas, but we celebrate it as a religious observance. Santa is fun, and we play Santa, too, but we just let our kids know it’s just a game.
@Limewater@Star2236 we always did Christmas. I think the focus was just around Jesus… And not Santa. More read the Bible Christmas story not the night before Christmas. Etc. No one ever said not to believe in Santa. Just… No one ever actively created that lie.
And I would be uncomfortable foisting such a complicated lie on a kid. But as were seen some people have it as part of their holiday tradition and enjoy it. So whatever. No judgement here. Everyone’s holidays are different
@Limewater@Star2236 Heard. The word is heard. Herd is what you do to a flock of animals…
And this has nothing to do with culture. Or religion. Technically. Even if you lied to your kid that santa was real. You still have that gap where they figured out you lied but the rest of the kids aren’t in on it so you have to tell them not to tell the other kids.
So now you’re telling them to lie or not talk about Santa. Idk how it goes from a parent perspective cause I’ve never had to deal with it.
@Limewater@Star2236@unksol I grew up with Santa and married a Jewish man, converted so the kids would be Jewish. We told our kids there was no Santa but not to tell the other kids. We would celebrate at my mother’s house and have Santa come on a small scale. They didn’t fully believe but they liked to pretend.
Well… grew up Jewish in Israel so didn’t know people actually thought Santa was real… When I was about 6 I was talking to my friend who was not Jewish and I let the cat out of the bag . His parents were mad and called my parents. I felt awful but I think his parents managed to salvage it. That’s when I learned people thought Santa was real.
I was 7, but it wasn’t a distinct moment in time. I first heard grumblings when I was in first grade, because it was the first time I was around any significant number of other kids during the holiday season (including some older ones). By the time the next Christmas rolled around, I had time to contemplate the feasibility of it all during the calm of the “off-season”, so to speak.
@blaineg my brother’s gf’s family does this. It was passed down to her cousin from their grandpa. I had just met her family last year for the first time so it was super awkward for me to sit on Santa’s lap since he was cute, and about my age, lol.
My favorite tale is from a co-worker. His kid asked him The Question, and he responded: “I’ll tell you, but you have to be ready to deal with whatever the answer is, so go think about it for a while.”
He did, and came back and said: “I think I’m ready.” Dad told him, and he broke down in tears. Big sobs, inconsolable, the whole works. Dad figures: “I’ve scarred him for life.”
When the kid calms down enough to talk he says: “I’m ok, I think I always knew it was you and mom.”
“But Dad, now I’m starting to worry about the Easter Bunny!”
I was in a 3rd/4th split for third grade and that’s when all the older kids told us. My nieces are 10 and 8 and still believe in Santa and do the whole elf on the shelf thing. I do kids craft shows (not this shity year) and have noticed a lot of kids still believe till about third or forth some even later.
@Star2236 I once made (I think I was in about 3rd grade) a pot holder (woven out of those stretchy loops) for Mrs. Santa Claus. My mother later said she was frantic what to do with it so I wouldn’t know.
Sorry to break this to you, but…Santa is very much real. My father was Santa Claus. And when he passed away I became Santa Claus. And to the best of my knowledge I am very much real. I mean…I can get past captcha and buy Instant Regret Kits so I’m obviously not a robot.
@kuoh This is the future of the role. After my son’s son’s son decides to automate the position. Here in the 2000’s the role is still very much a living person.
I don’t remember with me, but with my kid she asked me, doubting it because some other kids had told her and I told her the truth. Then about a week before christmas she told me that she decided she was going to believe in Santa after all. I am reasonably sure that “decision” was based on want to make sure she had “present insurance”.
I had a coworker once who worked as Santa every year. He certainly looked the part, big guy with a gorgeous white beard. But he said it could be hard sometimes - kids would ask him for some things he knew nobody could give them.
They say you can find everything on the internet - they lie. I remember clearly singing a song around 4th grade in school - we all knew the truth. I have never found a recording of it or a ‘lyrics’ page. but I remember it really clear.
There is a spirit in this world of generosity
That brings good things to all of us whoever we may be
So I believe in Santa Claus 'cause it can’t be denied
That he is generosity personified.
Yes there is a Santa Claus, for children everywhere
Though you may watch the chimney tops, and never see him there.
People say his magic sleigh, flies in the sky above
But you will find him anywhere, you find unselfish love.
Oh yes, he really does exist
And Santa Claus will live
As long as hearts can realize
How good it feels to give.
So when you are feeling blue, pick up your hopes because
If there is kindness in this world, there is a Santa Claus.
I honestly don’t remember. I must have been young or my parents never lied to me, lol. I’m not sure if it was different since I grew up in Norway. in Norway you actually celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. You set the tree up and everything on Christmas Eve.
Since my mom was American, she changed it up a little bit. We were allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest on Christmas morning like usual.
@RiotDemon God Yule!
WHAT DO YOU MEAN SANTA ISN’T REAL!!!
I kid. Maybe 10 or 11. I was around 13 before my parents found out. I was afraid if they knew I didn’t belive I would stop receiving presents. Lol
@tinamarie1974 I think I knew by about 6 but I played along for several years afterward. (My mom was really into Christmas.)
Since “but he’s too big to fit through a chimney!”
@narfcake
/giphy magic!
@narfcake
I don’t recall ever thinking santa was real… I mean I vaguely remember sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall just cause.
Movies etc. But he was just a character. No one ever pretended he was real or tried to convince you he was watching you to get you to behave or write letters to Santa or wrote from Santa on presents or any of that nonsense.
@unksol Same here. My parents always told me that Santa was fun to pretend, but don’t tell other children he isn’t real.
We’ve done the same with our kids.
@Limewater @unksol
Really, I’ve never herd of people that never believed in Santa.
@Star2236 where exactly do you herd them?
@Limewater @unksol
I know different cultures have different holiday traditions but I’ve never herd of parents telling kids when they were young that there was no such thing as Santa but don’t tell the other kids. But I guess that makes sense if that’s not what you celebrate.
@Limewater @Star2236 @unksol They’re just trying to be good shepherds to the next generation.
KuoH
@Star2236 @unksol We celebrate Christmas, but we celebrate it as a religious observance. Santa is fun, and we play Santa, too, but we just let our kids know it’s just a game.
@Limewater @Star2236 we always did Christmas. I think the focus was just around Jesus… And not Santa. More read the Bible Christmas story not the night before Christmas. Etc. No one ever said not to believe in Santa. Just… No one ever actively created that lie.
And I would be uncomfortable foisting such a complicated lie on a kid. But as were seen some people have it as part of their holiday tradition and enjoy it. So whatever. No judgement here. Everyone’s holidays are different
@Limewater @Star2236 Heard. The word is heard. Herd is what you do to a flock of animals…
And this has nothing to do with culture. Or religion. Technically. Even if you lied to your kid that santa was real. You still have that gap where they figured out you lied but the rest of the kids aren’t in on it so you have to tell them not to tell the other kids.
So now you’re telling them to lie or not talk about Santa. Idk how it goes from a parent perspective cause I’ve never had to deal with it.
@Limewater @Star2236 @unksol I grew up with Santa and married a Jewish man, converted so the kids would be Jewish. We told our kids there was no Santa but not to tell the other kids. We would celebrate at my mother’s house and have Santa come on a small scale. They didn’t fully believe but they liked to pretend.
What?! Just now.
Well… grew up Jewish in Israel so didn’t know people actually thought Santa was real… When I was about 6 I was talking to my friend who was not Jewish and I let the cat out of the bag
. His parents were mad and called my parents. I felt awful but I think his parents managed to salvage it. That’s when I learned people thought Santa was real.
I was 7, but it wasn’t a distinct moment in time. I first heard grumblings when I was in first grade, because it was the first time I was around any significant number of other kids during the holiday season (including some older ones). By the time the next Christmas rolled around, I had time to contemplate the feasibility of it all during the calm of the “off-season”, so to speak.
I don’t remember the age, but it was when I realized that Santa and my dad had the exact same handwriting.
It was gradual, but then I got recruited to help be Santa for all my younger siblings.
@blaineg my brother’s gf’s family does this. It was passed down to her cousin from their grandpa. I had just met her family last year for the first time so it was super awkward for me to sit on Santa’s lap since he was cute, and about my age, lol.
My favorite tale is from a co-worker. His kid asked him The Question, and he responded: “I’ll tell you, but you have to be ready to deal with whatever the answer is, so go think about it for a while.”
He did, and came back and said: “I think I’m ready.” Dad told him, and he broke down in tears. Big sobs, inconsolable, the whole works. Dad figures: “I’ve scarred him for life.”
When the kid calms down enough to talk he says: “I’m ok, I think I always knew it was you and mom.”
“But Dad, now I’m starting to worry about the Easter Bunny!”
@blaineg
That’s awesome!
OWLS! TOWELS! JOWLS! AWESOME!
I was in a 3rd/4th split for third grade and that’s when all the older kids told us. My nieces are 10 and 8 and still believe in Santa and do the whole elf on the shelf thing. I do kids craft shows (not this shity year) and have noticed a lot of kids still believe till about third or forth some even later.
@Star2236 I once made (I think I was in about 3rd grade) a pot holder (woven out of those stretchy loops) for Mrs. Santa Claus. My mother later said she was frantic what to do with it so I wouldn’t know.
Sorry to break this to you, but…Santa is very much real. My father was Santa Claus. And when he passed away I became Santa Claus. And to the best of my knowledge I am very much real. I mean…I can get past captcha and buy Instant Regret Kits so I’m obviously not a robot.
I installed CAPTCHA to save my fellow robots from wasting money on this crap.
@shoelessjoek But Santa is a robot!
KuoH
@kuoh This is the future of the role. After my son’s son’s son decides to automate the position. Here in the 2000’s the role is still very much a living person.
I don’t remember with me, but with my kid she asked me, doubting it because some other kids had told her and I told her the truth. Then about a week before christmas she told me that she decided she was going to believe in Santa after all. I am reasonably sure that “decision” was based on want to make sure she had “present insurance”.
I had a coworker once who worked as Santa every year. He certainly looked the part, big guy with a gorgeous white beard. But he said it could be hard sometimes - kids would ask him for some things he knew nobody could give them.
They say you can find everything on the internet - they lie. I remember clearly singing a song around 4th grade in school - we all knew the truth. I have never found a recording of it or a ‘lyrics’ page. but I remember it really clear.
There is a spirit in this world of generosity
That brings good things to all of us whoever we may be
So I believe in Santa Claus 'cause it can’t be denied
That he is generosity personified.
Yes there is a Santa Claus, for children everywhere
Though you may watch the chimney tops, and never see him there.
People say his magic sleigh, flies in the sky above
But you will find him anywhere, you find unselfish love.
Oh yes, he really does exist
And Santa Claus will live
As long as hearts can realize
How good it feels to give.
So when you are feeling blue, pick up your hopes because
If there is kindness in this world, there is a Santa Claus.
@Cerridwyn That song sounds like this famous piece:
https://www.nysun.com/editorials/yes-virginia/68502/
@Cerridwyn I like this!
@Kyeh
Based on it I’m sure.