How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa?

Holidays Forum

I was about 8 or 9 on Christmas eve and came out of my bedroom because I couldn't sleep. I went out to the living room and saw my mom stuffing our stockings. I started crying...well not really, I suspected for a while, but my mom consoled me and my brother by letting us open up presents that night.

I think I was about 10 or so. My dad kept trying to convince me there was a Santa. I was the youngest child, sisters 10 & 14 years older than me, so it was hard for him to let go of the Santa thing. I do HATE it when older kids try to spoil it for the little ones.

I was about 9 or 10, I think!! I remember asking my mom for the truth, when we were sitting at the gas station!!! She told me the truth, and it was hard to swallow, but I did okay!! She said that NOTHING would change because I knew the truth... and she reminded me that I knew a secret now that my little brother wouldn't know for about 4 more years. So, that made me happy to have him not know for a long time!!! It was MY secret with my parents!!!

I cant remember how old I was.....(must be a sign of old age!)

My son, however, came home and asked me if Santa was real....someone in his class said he wasnt. Since he is only five I decided not to tell him yet....he really enjoys Santa right now...Im not ready to give up the little fib yet!

Here is a funny story...when my niece was five (7 years ago) the same thing happened to her. Someone in her class said that Santa wasnt real. I dont know exactly what he said to her...but my brother told me that she had come home and told him that some boy in her class said Santa wasnt real, and she said "he is too" and he said " no he isnt, only Rudolph is real."

We had a good laugh about that for years!

Okay...not funny hahahahahahahaha.....but funny giggle giggle!

I was about 10 when I started suspecting, and about 12 when I realized that it was my parents who stuffed stockings and put presents under the tree.

However, I have by no means stopped believing in Santa!

First of all, there is a Santa Claus, who lives at the North Pole and raises reindeer (Rob Peary confirmed that on his expedition to the NP). He's not an elf, though, and his reindeer don't fly.

Secondly, Santa represents more than presents. He represents a spirit of giving. When we participate in Christmas, celebrating the gift God gave to man by giving gifst to each other, we become Santa. Santa is the Salvation Army dude, who braves the cold weather to ring a bell for those less fortunate. Santa is the guy at the mall who has more children on his lap in a couple weeks than most people do in their lifetime. Santa is anyone who participates in the love, joy, and goodwill of Christmas...

Ho.

Ho.

Ho.

Mike, you are SO right!!! Thank you for that message!

Beautiful message Mike. The world would be a better place if more people kept that message of Santa in our hearts.