to be really upset that dd1 5yo said 'Santa isn't real' 'its you and dad isn't it - which is better!'

[AnxiousElephant]

I suppose it took me by surprise and she said it infront of her ds who is only 3 so really didn't know what to say.......I just suddenly realised that her childhood is vanishing very quickly

No, RozziPringle, it's not sad, very healthy. Santa/Father Christmas nowadays has a very important job - his name can be dropped if any kids (incl one's own) misbehave or are disobedient during the December holidays, to get instant obedience. "If you don't stop making that noise, Father Christmas won't come", "If you don't tidy up straightaway, Father Christmas isn't bringing your present" etc etc. Pity it's only effective at December . Granted, we don't have to drop his name often.

LOL Trill The man in the red suit wasn't really what I meant, more the traditional evolution It could have been 16th century I'm having the same problem understanding Halloween!

Yes it is a useful tool for correction in December but fortunately I don't usually need to use it!

I certainly wouldn't lie to the kids. Just ask them what they think, and wait until they figure it out for themselves. They might hear it from older kids but there's still going to be a bit of doubt in their mind. I've heard stories about kids asking their parents but then breaking down into tears when they are told that he's not real.

I was another who would just get one present (the biggest one) "from Santa" and the others from whoever bought them for me. I always thought it was strange when friends would get presents from uncles, aunties, grandparents etc, but not from their parents, only "from Santa".