When is the best age to tell a child the truth about Santa Claus?

Even if you don't tell them, they do catch on sooner or later.

I realized at a young age that Santa didn't exist when all the writing on the presents belonged to my mom. I never thought that Santa could have the same handwriting, and knew it was all fake.

Besides there were years I didn't get to see Santa, so there was no way he could know what I wanted if I hadn't told him.


Kids are smart, they figure these things out on their own most of the time.

When my older 2 got around to asking "Is Santa real?" I simply asked what THEY thought before saying anything myself. With both of them the first year they asked, their response was that they thought he was but some people said he wasn't, so I just told them that what they believed was all that mattered. They next year when they asked again, I again asked what they believed. That time they said that they didn't think he really was a real person...and that's when they learned about the real magic of Christmas. Santa may not be a real man in a red suit but the idea of him lives in all of us who continue the tradition for all the children and that now they were part of that magic.

I think we adults better not disillusion the childrens beliefs on Santa Claus until they find out the truth themselves.

If we tell the children the Santa Claus is not real, then they may go on ask, 'if Santa Claus is not real, why you still tell me the story of Santa Claus?' But if the children find out the secret themselves, it is something different.

Don't tell them.. just let them find out for themselves. I think if they ask you then yes they are ready to hear the truth. No sense hiding it, that would make you a liar... not a very good thing to do to children when you're supposed to be an exmple.

I think it's better for the children to know the truth as early as possible. I remember believing in Santa when I was young and then was upset my parents afterwards for lying to me!

i wouldnt say anything it so cute seeing them open up there gifts.

I think it is not so necessary to say it to a child. After the children grow up, they will learn the truth by themselves. Even if we are already adults, but sometimes we still like the fairy tales. It is much more interesting for the holiday.

I think there is no need telling them the truth,when they grow up they will know it by themselves,they are just children,let them enjoy their childhood

My folks and I have tried to explain to my 11 year old daughter that he doesn't exist and i think she really knows and her grandmother has tried in vain to tell her he really doesn't exist but I guess in her mind her imagination is still quite vivid as long as she still has that I guess it can't be all bad.

hi there scarlet54
i told my kids about it 3 years ago we are christains my 11 and 78 year old already know its about jesus its not about santa he is not real but jesus yes he is real thanks for this discussion merry christmas to you and happy new year for 2008