Originally Posted By Lisann22 How old were you when you learned the truth about old Saint Nick? What was your reaction? Me, I still believe in the magic of Santa Claus even if there's no gifts under the tree for me. I still get my picture taken with him yearly, usually in a group setting but still the same. I found out when I was about 9. I had to keep in top secret though because I had two little sisters. So I actually liked being in the know. I wasn't really all that upset. It was something I naturally found out. No one spilled the beans. I'd help on the big night and make things extra special. My little cousins always tracked him on Christmas Eve and I've passed on that tradition to my godkids.
Originally Posted By Ursula Some small part of me thinks that he is real and the there, doing his thing, on Christmas Eve. I don't remember how I found out. It was either so traumatic I blocked it or so natural that it just gradually became a known thing.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I found out at 10. I busted my parents bringing in my new bike. I was not upset and still get presents from Santa. My mother has dressed as Mrs. Santa for most of my life and went with Santa to the schools and churches so that always helped. I am a little sad because my oldest finally confessed to me just the other day that he has known for a couple of years. I asked him as you did Lisann, not to spoil it for his younger brother and sister. He said that he has been playing along for a while and will continue to do so. He suggested that we all watch the Polar Express (a book my mom has read to them every year they have been alive) as a family so he is a good kid. Our Christmas traditions don't really revolve around Santa too much as we throw a birthday party for Jesus with cake, decorations and instead of presents, we adopt families and that is our gift to him. I do like the surprise of my stocking that my mom still fills each year though!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 ^^^ I remember you sharing that before nevadarebel. I love that. Ours doesn't revolve around Santa - he's just a small part. Our emphasis is as yours is.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I think I was probably about 9 or 10, and I figured it out because I was with my dad when he bought something that ended up in my brothers stocking...ooops!
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I think we are going to have our oldest help us this year. I was really sad that he admitted to me but he is growing up and has been a good sport about the whole thing. He has already come up with great ideas on how to ensure that the younger ones still believe so we are gonna use that to our advantage! I am like Ursula, part of me still wants to believe he is real. I love watching the Santa movies on how they explain everything to the kids. In a strange way, it all makes sense.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I really don't remember. I don't think I really had an a'ha moment. The belief just kind of slowly went away. I do remember sitting on the top of the swingsets with Eric Croy debating the subject when we were in about second grade, but I think we came to the conclusion that he was real. My son is nine and I can tell he's starting to question. He told me last night that there are some kids in his class that don't believe including his best friend.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper WHAT! OMG! I'm feeling a little lightheaded. What a cruel way to learn of this.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 the truth about the big guy?what truth ?is there something that everyone knows but me?I better sit right down and write the easter bunny!
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch I think it was probably the year we got presents from a charity called Sub for Santa. I was 4 or 5 years old at the time. On a side note, this is the first time in years that I've really felt the Christmas spirit, which is sort of ironic since it'll be my first Christmas alone. It's also the first time I've purchased a toy for a toy drive. Unfortunately, the lack of a job means I can't indulge in as much as I'd like.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains disneydad109 The tooth fairy would probably be a better choice for a really good explanation... ;P
Originally Posted By knightnfrees <<When did you learn the truth about the Big Guy?>. Back when I saw him on SNL doing that Chippendales sketch with Patrick Swayze. There was a truth I really didn't need to see. Oh wait. You're not referring to Chris Farley, are you?
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x :sticks fingers in ears: LALALALALALALALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I was 6, it was Easter. We were out camping in the desert because Dad was racing his motorcycle that weekend. I was finding Easter eggs and stuff and was putting it in my basket and some other parent started chastising me for picking up their kids' stuff. I figured out that if they knew what stuff was for their kids and not me they must have left it and there, therefore there was no Easter Bunny which meant no Chris Farley. Not bad reasoning for a 6 year old, or maybe I started life cynical. After that my sister never had a chance, I spilled the beans to her as soon as she was old enough to believe.
Originally Posted By beamerdog We're Jewish, so Santa was always just a nice tradition that they neighbors had, lol. My then 4 year old spoiled it for quite a few when he announced in preschool that there was no Santa. Wow, I got a few calls from parents that afternoon. I felt pretty bad :-(
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle Like a lot of people, I really have no recollection of "discovering the truth". I guess it was just a gradual lack of belief. Although the rule in our family is "if you don't believe, you don't receive", so all of us still get gifts with tags from Santa! (It also means my nephews don't question why Santa only brings presents to them).
Originally Posted By lesmisfan i learned the truth about him when i was nine years old. class mates were making fun of me because i still believe,even though part of me still wants to or does, and went home to my mom and she told me the truth, and how yes, he used to be real but had passed a long long time ago. and we just carry on the traditions that he set forth.