When did you DS/DD know about Santa?

[marianas00]

My family has several ways that we keep the spirit of Santa in our home. We have a DD 20, DD 12, and DS 10. Many years find us traveling to grandmas as we have been in the military way of life, so autimatically the magical way of Santa's bounty appearing on Christmas day at Grammy's helps, as does the special gifts under our tree when we return even though they were not there when we left the house. Thank you good friends!
One especially nice way that my son gets involved in the spin is to track Santa. In case you don't know, NORAD.gov has a way to track Santa's journey. We discovered this while living on Guam, one of the first places Santa visits each year, as some of our weather friends in the military shared the site with my then 3 year old son. Believe it or not this year he went on the site the very first day it was online to start his own tracking of the jolly man. Ho!Ho!Ho! Even at 10 he still "believes".
However, close call in 2005 - Another thing we do is a letter from Santa each year. Last year my son read the letter and stated that the handwriting looks an awful lot like Daddy's. We pointed out some differences and also made reference to the annual call from Mrs. Claus( another family friend). Each season Mrs. Claus calls no matter where we are and she discusses things the kids have done that only our immediate family knows.
Yes, they all have at some point questioned, but we have never divulged the truth. We also stress the importance of the true meaning of Christmas. Each year we share special times with family and in an effort to assist those less fortunate we donate to food pantry's and buy gifts for a child from the local Angel Tree. So, all in all our family balances reality with true spirit. I guess the truth is I cannot let go of my children's innocence and wonder of all things magical. Even with my 20 year old DD I feel that it is important to keep the spirit and magic of the possibility that there is a Santa. In reality I do believe that something magical happens every year. So, if for no other reason my children continue to "believe" as they share in my joy of Santa.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

My ds8 attends catholic school, and the big winter event is Breakfast with Santa. The school is K1-8, so you have kids from 4-14. Breakfast w/Santa is heavily attended through second grade. It drops off alot in 3rd (where we are now), and after that it's just older kids coming with their younger brothers and sisters. I think sometime between 3rd and 4th grade is where most of them get confirmation.

I'm keeping it alive as long as I can, and believe me, ds really wants it to be true, so I'll be surprised when he seriously asks.

In our house, Santa brings one or two really big, unwrapped gifts (my coffeetable was literally covered in Pokemon last year). Anyway, the rest is from us, so I don't think he has a big incentive to pretend once he knows the truth. I have a friend who's kids get everything but one small gift from Santa. If I were those kids, I would never let on that I know!

 

[ilovejack02]

I already said that we believe in Santa in our house, but sweet DS4 and I were talking about Cars the movie and all the toys last night. We have all the die cast cars but Chick Hicks. He told me that he felt sure that the "Cars Fairy" was going to bring it to him. I told him that I was pretty sure he was making up the "Cars Fairy", I told him we better ask Santa.Thats what I get for telling him that the Birthday Fairy and the Valentines Fairy are the ones that leave goodies on the breakfast table on those special days, my DS17 has even explained to him if mommy wont get him something to ask the Birthday Fairy, that she always come through.
... I think ive taken it a bit to far.

 

[marcyinPA]

I already said that we believe in Santa in our house, but sweet DS4 and I were talking about Cars the movie and all the toys last night. We have all the die cast cars but Chick Hicks. He told me that he felt sure that the "Cars Fairy" was going to bring it to him. I told him that I was pretty sure he was making up the "Cars Fairy", I told him we better ask Santa.Thats what I get for telling him that the Birthday Fairy and the Valentines Fairy are the ones that leave goodies on the breakfast table on those special days, my DS17 has even explained to him if mommy wont get him something to ask the Birthday Fairy, that she always come through.
... I think ive taken it a bit to far.

LOL!! The "Vacation Fairy" used to come with us when my kids were younger...she'd always leave a new game/book/dollar store toy in their backpacks to play with/look at while we were traveling!

 

[abcboys]

bjscheel-I have a different name for the ebay boards but you probably don't recognize it. I don't post very often but I read WAY TOO MUCH!! My name there is scottandydani. The ebay boards and disboards are my 2 favorite places to visit!!

 

[ilovejack02]

LOL!! The "Vacation Fairy" used to come with us when my kids were younger...she'd always leave a new game/book/dollar store toy in their backpacks to play with/look at while we were traveling!

OMG, that awesome, I havent thought of that one. I should use that one for trip in Jan.

 

[dementia412]

I just remembered Big Nose.... Big Nose was a guy who brought candy. Santa didn't fill stockings in our house, that was Big Nose. I was dubious from the start, but my mom made him into such a fun character that I got into it despite thinking it sounded like bull. He only lasted a couple years before I caught her putting out Big Nose's candy. She never admitted he was fake, but he stopped dropping candy off.

ps... my kids have seen many movies and tv shoes which say Santa isn't real, but they still believe. In fact I have said things about him being fake in front of the kids and they take no notice.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

When Polar Express came out we made a big family event to go see it in the theater (including GMa and GPa)... I had read the book previous - so knew the story - however, I had never read it to my DD - she was probably 6 at the time... I had found the "golden ticket" at Hallmark - and we were able to get it into the pocket of her raincoat during the movie - so, on the way out of the theater - she put her hands in her pocket and out came the golden ticket. You should have seen the look on her face... she's 8 now - but says she will always be able to hear the "bell" ring!

She's her Mom's daughter for sure!

 

[Charleyann]

My ten year old, almost 11, DS still believes ! Yes, I swear it is true. He believes he hears bells...especially after watching the polar express. He believes in the tooth fairy and Easter bunny. He is an only child and is in hospital alot becasue of illness. I think that is why...he is sheltered? I dont have the heart to tell him the difference!

Charleyann

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

.. and second of all, Thanks for all the great presents"..

Wow! Sounds like a great kid.

 

[Merriwind]

She probably suspects, but wait for her to come to you. My DD8 asked me two summers ago, when she was 6.5. Oh, I about died! She is a very bright girl and she had several concerns (timing versus population, poor children who don't get presents, attic off limits) that added up to the "Santa talk." I tried to keep her going, but the gig was up. She started to cry and said, "Mom, please tell me the truth. I already know." So, we both cried (and I'm crying now) and I told her that Santa is the holiday spirit that lives in everyone who loves others and gives to others for the holiday. I also impressed upon her that a big part of that spirit was never breathing a word of this to anyone who might not know the secret.

This will be our second Christmas since that talk. She has never mentioned it again. She plays along, talking about Santa, feeding the reindeer, etc. I know that she does it for my benefit. She's a great kid!

Merry Christmas!

 

[tkhkroberts]

My DD7 totally still buys into the idea, but my DD8 knows but is hiding it from us. I can tell because she did not want to go to talk to Santa this year and keeps asking for the same thing from us as she asked Santa for. She just tells us it is just in case that he does not bring it, but I can tell. I am just wondering how much longer before she blurts it because I also have a nephew who is 4. I think the cover was actually blown a couple of years ago when my MIL had the grand idea of having DH's cousins boyfriend play Santa. DD could totally tell who it was and I covered her mouth as she went to blurt it out. We had warned MIL that she would be able to tell, but she would not believe it. I think that was the beginning of the end. DD7 is just oblivious to the world around her and won't catch on for a couple of years.