[Squiffy]

"Is Santa Real?" asked my 6 year old son today.

I'm reluctant to directly lie to him, but I'd hate for the magic to be spoiled at his age.

How would you lot deal with this thorny question?

[craigizmo2k2]

Tell him he is real and that if he doesn't believe in him he won't get any pressies.

[zAndy1]

Yeah, keep up the pretence for as long as you can, much of the magic of Xmas is lost as soon as you find out Santa isn't for real! Sometimes we all have to tell a porkie with the best of intentions...

[Miyazaki]

I'd either tell him santa isn't real, or to allay his doubts, send him a letter with an official "santa" letter head, explaining that due to an elf strike, santa won't be able to dispatch x present that was on the list, and what would he like as an alternative.

Something like that. Depends on the child I suppose.

[GBDG1]

It would be more awkward if he asked you why Father Christmas gives poor children cheap gifts and rich children exspensive gifts.

My 12 year old son has known for a couple of years now, all his mates at school knew so he found out from them. He wasn't that bothered as long as he got pressies still...

this is a good site nearer Christmas btw..

[Kieron]

What? What are you all on about??

[KevD]

Originally Posted by Squiffy

"Is Santa Real?" asked my 6 year old son today.

I'm reluctant to directly lie to him, but I'd hate for the magic to be spoiled at his age.

How would you lot deal with this thorny question?

Why on earth would you lie and tell a 6 year old that santa isnt real

Lies like that will knock you off santas list.

[Mr.D]

Tell him santa is real,

But also tell him Dracula is real to balance up his viewpoint.

[IronGiant]

Our son asked at the same age, I don't know how original this is but on the spur of the of the moment my wife came up with "If you believe in him he is real, do you believe in him (insert name of child here) ?"

It worked like a charm


Dave

[Paulie-W]

Just show him this http://www.noradsanta.com/index.php

Dammit of course he`s real

[Jammyb]

He's as real as God and Jesus!

[Garrett]

Say real.

Why spoil the enjoyment of a child its one of there big pleasures in life believing in something magical, too soon and for too long he will be hit with the reality’s of the real world, let him enjoy his innocence.

[shodan]

I can't believe he's 6 years old and you still haven't told him.... Hee hee!
I think you should say yes and sound shocked that he asked you.

Or alternatively, show him this thread... ;-)

[Decadence]

Even as an adult I think at your core you still believe he's real...it's difficult to explain but he will always exist.

...and his name is Father Christmas, not Santa!

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by Regmarch

Our son asked at the same age, I don't know how original this is but on the spur of the of the moment my wife came up with "If you believe in him he is real, do you believe in him (insert name of child here) ?"

It worked like a charm


Dave

That's what I'd use too. It's not lying but it doesn't destroy the hope either.

I knew Santa wasn't real when I was 4 and that year it was my dad playing the role for the whole family and I recognised his shoes and perfume
My mum and grand mum almost duck tapped my mouth so I didn't spoil it for my cousins lol

[shodan]

Originally Posted by Jenn

That's what I'd use too. It's not lying but it doesn't destroy the hope either.

I knew Santa wasn't real when I was 4 and that year it was my dad playing the role for the whole family and I recognised his shoes and perfume
My mum and grand mum almost duck tapped my mouth so I didn't spoil it for my cousins lol

Your dad likes wearing perfume and dressing up?
I'm only kidding, I remember my granddad being Santa then I remember my dad doing the honours and I've even done it for the kids in the family too!

[Adrenochrome]

He may not be real but he does exist in the minds of children

[GasDad]

If you can afford it - take him to see Santa in Lapland.

We did it last year - taking our 7 year old daughter and our 9 year old son. The 9 year old was disbelieving on the way there, absolutely convinced on the way back - hell I was pretty convinced.

Well worth doing - the atmosphere, the reindeer rides, hot juice in the forest etc were all very well done - but the visit to see Santa himself was superb - we were taken as a family through the woods and dropped off - we then followed a trail lit by burning torches through the trees till we came to Santa's house. There was no queue - santa was very convincing - he knew the childrens names, had read the briefing notes we'd supplied in advance and didn't need to refer to them in his 5 minute conversation with our kids. Superb.

The professionalism and care we experienced made it a holiday to never forget.

Recommended,

James

[Seth Gecko]

Originally Posted by Squiffy

"Is Santa Real?" asked my 6 year old son today.

I'm reluctant to directly lie to him, but I'd hate for the magic to be spoiled at his age.

How would you lot deal with this thorny question?

It's a real easy one to answer - much easier than you think.

Simply say "Ask your mother, she knows everything."

My son still believes in Santa and the Tooth Fairy but he has his doubts about the Stool Pidgeon

[BrianC]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

It would be more awkward if he asked you why Father Christmas gives poor children cheap gifts and rich children exspensive gifts.

We told our kids that parents had to give the cash to Santa to buy the presents in the first place and that it was up to Santa what presents he brought/made for you out of that. If you was naughty then some of your cash went on presents for children who otherwise wouldn't get any presents.

I'm firmly in the camp of keeping them believing as long as possible.

[Greg]

Yeah, keep em believing as long as you can.

The magic of seeing a young child on Christmas morning, when they think santa has been is unbeatable.

My 4 year old nephew was with me last year, so we cut footprints out of paper, dusted icing sugar around them and all the way up the stairs and back out the front door. You should have seen his face on Christmas morning! These moments don't last forever so lie and say he exists. He will find the truth out at school soon enough anyway.

I found out when I recognised my Mum's handwriting on the presents that had supposedly come from Santa.

[Squiffy]

OK, an update on what happened.

He came in from playing out, and said that some of the older kids said that Santa wasn't real.

So he asked my wife (I was out).

My wife asked him what he thought, and he was unsure, so my wife said that we should talk about it later when I got home.

Luckily, he seems to have forgotten about it.

I think the line of "If you believe in him, then he is real" is the way to go. (Same line as we take when he asks about God). I'd be devastated if he lost his belief at this age. We'd lose all those entertaining moments, like when is reading out his XMAS list up the chimney to Santa.

I think I'll bring the subject up tonight when his younger brother & sister have gone to bed.

[Carl Stock]

Originally Posted by Games Guru

I'd either tell him santa isn't real, or to allay his doubts, send him a letter with an official "santa" letter head, explaining that due to an elf strike, santa won't be able to dispatch x present that was on the list, and what would he like as an alternative.

Something like that. Depends on the child I suppose.

Oh, GG – you’re such a teacher! All bureaucracy and mind games!

Of course Santa/Father Christmas/St Nicholas is real! How else do you think we get our presents every year?!

I think I know who Santa is, though… His name is Noel, he’s about my age and he works for CityLink! It’s true – he delivers my AV stuff!!! My dog likes him. LOL

Seriously, though – it is lovely for children. It’s not a lie, not even a white one. I would keep it going for as long as possible because most parents say – even grandparents – that the nicest thing about it is the smile on children’s faces. It’s not always about the presents.

Carl

[drunkenmaster]

Why not show him Miracle on 34th Street, either the 1947 version or the newer 1994 one?

Check out

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_on_34th_Street

for more detail.

[unique]

tell him that he doesn't exist, and people just mispell satan. it'll save you a fortune in xmas present buying over the next 10 years or so

[Praxidike]

Are you implying Santa isn't real? Please tell me you're joking...