Since Locavore_Mama brought up the Tooth Fairy, I thought I'd start a new thread to see if there are any other parents out there who aren't going to tell their kids that Santa and Co. are real.

If you aren't going to participate in these traditions, or if you'll still have the trappings of them around the house but will make it clear it's a legend or a game, how are you coping with that decision? Are any of the grandparents disgruntled? Are you afraid your kid will spill the beans to his classmates? Are you worried that their holiday experience will be reduced because they don't believe? Why are you opposed to doing Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. in the first place? What was your experience growing up?

I'll start. Philosophically, I don't believe in lying to my kids, even if it's harmless. And I don't think you have to actually believe in Santa to have the "magic" of childhood. Kids don't believe the Star Wars universe actually exists, for example, but that doesn't hinder their excitement. And we as parents don't need to tell them that the Death Star really is somewhere out in the night sky to "enhance" their enjoyment of Star Wars, you know? I've also heard some people call Santa & Co. a game, but honestly, if the person you're playing with does not understand that it is truly a game, then it isn't a game. Not for them. For them, it's as real as Jesus or bacteria or...well, actually, it would be more real because parents often go plant false evidence in the form of half-eaten cookies and things like that.

I've read that kids will often kind of puff up their chests and insist that they aren't hurt when they learn that their parents lied to them about Santa, because they have this deep desire to be seen as a mature adult. I think that was my reaction, looking back. I tried not to freak out, I tried not to let it show that I was upset that I had been duped.

For my DH, Santa in particular hurt a lot more. You see, his best friend was much poorer than he was. As children, they would often recount what they had received for Christmas, and he would ask his friend, "I wonder why Santa left me so many great presents and didn't bring you hardly anything at all?" His friend looked downcast and replied that he must not have behaved as well as my DH. My heart breaks every time I think about that story. My DH feels really guilty, because he honestly had no idea that it was just that his parents had more money all the while. That poor kid blamed HIMSELF for not getting as many cool presents from Santa.

DH's parents are really into Santa. I mean, it's almost more of a religion to them than Christianity. "Miracle on 34th Street" is one of their favorite movies. His mom still gives us presents "from Santa" every year. Our LO is only a few months old right now, but I foresee us having to have an early talk with our daughter about "Grandma's Santa game" when she's a toddler.

What about you? Anything you care to share?