Santa Claus - Salt Lake City,UT

What do you mean..."...no longer believes the Santa Claus is real." ??? In my home, Santa is and always will be very real. That is just how I grew up. No one (not even to this day) has ever told me (besides other kids at school) that Santa is not real. Call me a liar or what have you, but I will never tell my kids that Santa is not real. Santa is real if you want "him" to be. It more about the spirit of Santa than anything else for me. Every year, Santa brings one gift for each of my kids that I have no idea is coming, but it always does (if that makes sense). Logic tells me that my husband has gotten these gifts, but you'll never get him to admit that.

I agree with Lee. My 6 and 4 yr. olds still believe but if my husband dressed up as him, they would figure out it was Daddy as soon as they looked at him. And won't they question where Daddy is as they are getting the gifts? I would tell them Daddy is going to pretend to be Santa and give out the gifts. My kids even figured out the Santa's at the mall aren't real. My daughter said, Mommy, he looks like a guy dressed up in a costume. I told them those are Santa's helpers, the real Santa only comes on Christmas eve to give out presents.

Personally, I think that if they do believe, they won't anymore after their dad dresses up as Santa... you don't mean for them to not recognize him as their dad, do you? I think it's great that he'd do that, and if it's just for fun, as opposed to doing it to 'make' them believe, then it's a lovely idea... But if you are doing it to somehow 'make' them believe, then I don't think it's a good plan.

about 8 they figure it out but refuse to give up the belief till about 12

Nothing is necessary, but at 2,4 and 6. I hope they still believe. Its fun!

I think it's a cute idea but I don't think it should be their dad, I think they will recognize him right way then question you like crazy why did Dad do that, where is Santa. Why not see if a friend or grandpa can do it?

We went to a family Christmas party this week and my uncle dressed up as Santa and gave out gifts. No one questioned it as it was fun as his kids are adults. The kids all loved it even if it was obvious to anyone he wasn't Santa. The kids didn't care he had presents! LOL

OK I was wrong my oldest just told me my 8 year old started to yell that's not Santa but she stopped her.

I think its a cute idea!! But I would make sure the kids knew/ reconized it was their dad and that he wanted to look like Santa for fun. I just talked to my 10 and 11 yr old about it this year. Actually my 10yr told me last year he knew and my 11 yr old just figured it out this year. But its still very hush hush at our house cause our 2 and 3 yr old still very much believe! I hope you all have a fun time with it :) Even if they know its Daddy the first look on thier faces will be remembered for years to come!

As a teacher in your area, I can say that 1/2 of the 5th graders believe in
Santa. So don't jump the gun by letting your little one's know the truth.
Because children are such believing wonders, I would allow them 'the gift of childhood' as long as I could. WE had a professor who told us people who don't believe in nursery rhymes, fairy tales, make-believe are the one's
who have emotional problems later in life and can't see past hard times. Fantasy helps us deal with the realities of life. That's why Disney Land is so prosperous.

Maybe it is just fun for hubby to dress up. Nobody needs to think it's real to have fun with it.

The ages very. Seeing dad in a big red suit will be fun and if they know it's him you will find yourself explaining the "spirit" of Santa very soon :)
Mine were about 7 and 8 when the truth had to be told. They were all "we KNEW it!"... too funny.

I agree with the consensus, if hubby dressed lke Santa they will see through it.
My 9 year old and I had this conversation last night. He said that some people don't believe in Santa. He went on and on about it and how could they?? Why does Santa bring them gifts if they don't believe? I asked him if he believed and he said Oh yes!!
Probably next year will be his last year. But he is homeschooled so he's a little sheltered.

I never taught my kids about Santa really coming to bring gifts but taught them about celebrating Christ's birth, death and ressurection and a special time to celebrate famiy. I always believed that Christmas can be fun and special without having to try to worry about the Santa thing. That's my take on Santa delema however... What a fun and great idea you and your husband have. Your kids will love it and always remember this. I'd let them know that it's just dad having fun, if it were me, but it's up to you on how you handle this. =) If your hubby is wanting to do this to have fun, then go for it!

Can't answer for the general population, but I noticed in my daughter's class last year that in our area, at least, 3rd grade is when many of the kids I know transitioned from believing in Santa to playing along for the sake of younger siblings and still getting Santa gifts. In my son's 1st grade class, most of the kids are still believers. I've had to caution my son, who cracked the code this year and asked me directly whether Santa was me, not to show off his new-found knowledge because the other kids he knows still enjoy believing Santa is real. I also let him know that if he likes presents from Santa, he'll join me in pretending.

HI Ella,

Don't you know Santa is always in your heart IF YOU BELIEVE!!!!!!!!

I'm over 50 and still believe, as do many I know.