5yr old asd and Santa

[amunt]

Ds has always sought clarity about what is real and what is not. He used to try to open doors in books. As there is some anxiety around this I am always honest - if he asks does magic exist, I say no it doesn't. Now he's asking about Santa. I'm loathed to lie because he relies on being able to trust me when uncertain. But, I also don't want to remove any pleasure that could be had from the fantasy - or to ruin it for his 3 yr old sister (and perhaps peer group). I'm avoiding answering at the moment. Any ideas or similar experiences?
Thanks

We have never said Santa was real or confirmed he wasn't. We tell our dc that it is a game people play and that part of the game is that children don't know whether he is real or who is Santa so we shouldn't spoil the game for other people if we find out the answer. My dc still want to play the game and even add to it. It doesn't seem to matter to them that he is not real so long as they have the fun.

You could add to the game above by tell him all about Saint Nicholas, the first santa, and all the other santa type people from the past who were santa....
Like the French canadian one who has alligators instead of raindeer.

We talk about the magic of Saint Nicholas and explain people dress up to celebrave saint nick & that's why we give people we love gifts. They were allways terrified of the idea santa could get in the house.

Thanks everybody. I was leaning towards the "it's a game" idea. Bringing in the other Santa types sounds good too.

Good luck.