How old to see...

[FiveMoreMinutesPlease]

How old is too old to see santa? My DC (11 and 9) both want to go and see him.
I don't think they believe anymore. We've not had the conversation this year, which is a first, and leads me to think that they don't want to be told the reality. Is it wrong to still want a bit of magic at 11 and 9?

[NaughtyNiffler]

It's individual to the child... Maybe ask them if they want to go. I asked my 7yo and they still wanted to go!

[storminabuttercup]

If they want to go I'd say take them! Never too old for santa in my opinion.

[XiCi]

They probably still want to go because they get a present . Dd 6 knows that the Santa's you see at grottos are not real (she believes there is only one in the north pole and they are all his helpers) but she still wants to go and get her pressie

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

As long as they don't say things in front of any smaller children I think its fair enough, if they want to go.

I couldn't take my DC to Lapland UK because my cynical little toad of a DS would be scathing about the fake snow etc.

[FiveMoreMinutesPlease]

Oh yes they've know the ones in the grotto aren't the real one ever since they saw Santa in tracks buying wrapping paper.
You're probably right in that they want a present.
I love going to see him and don't really want it to stop.

[FiveMoreMinutesPlease]

Oops spellcheck. They saw santa in Tesco buying wrapping paper

[SpringerS]

I still just about believed at 11. Obviously deep down I knew that he couldn't possibly be real but I remember planning on asking my parents to tell me that year. But when it came down to it, I decided against it because I had a strong feeling they'd tell me the truth and I did not want to hear it. So for those last weeks of December I believed because I wanted to.

If I was you I'd do a bit of research and see if there are any 'real deal' Santas relatively near to you. I take DS to one with a real beard every year and I swear, when I'm in there a part of me that believes I'm genuinely meeting the big guy. There was one in particular who I've read an interview with where he said one of his very favourite times is when the older kids come in full of doubt and after a chat with him are convinced for one more Christmas. Imagine your DC's faces if they met such a Santa! For the next week they'd be so full of genuine belief!

Just make sure to find a way to let gently your older DC know the truth at some point in the spring/summer.

[NotCitrus]

Ds and dn have told me that they know FC isn't real, but could they see him anyway, and can we leave out mince pies and carrots etc on Christmas Eve. And something for Santa Pikachu, who he also knows isn't real but...

[MsHybridFanGirl]

DD is 11 and definitely doubting (doesn't help that everyone at school goes around saying "santa isn't real " but she is clinging onto the belief that he is real.

I think this is our last year of Santa . . She is going to a grotto next week to visit him

[MoreThanUs]

Ask them - if they fancy it, go.