@Swifty@freeatlantis.com @johntrain Imaginitive play is important. And so is building parent child relationships on trust.
I always try to tell the truth to my kids.
I also sometimes tell my toddler I've got his nose. He knows it's play, and that doesn't detract from the fun. He takes my nose and throws it to the moon.
Santa is a great story, and we love good story. Story matters. We also talk about the real historic Saint Nicholas and his generosity and protection for kids... and how instead of coal for bad kids, it may be face slaps for heretics.
But the real magic of what we celebrate is a much deeper magic than an old man traveling the world giving kids goodies.