People who were once young: Were you surprised that there was no Santa?

[Willamena]

Note, this is a debate only for people who had a childhood and whose culture includes a varient of Santa Claus. Those who didn't, please refrain from posting.

Were you genuinely surprised, disappointed or alarmed that there was "no Santa Claus," or did it elicit a less fanfaric response? Relief perhaps? Amusement? Perhaps had you already had it figured?

 

[tumbleweed41]

Don't remember. So it must not have been to traumatic.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I don't actually remember ever believing that there really was a Santa. Then again, I was more skeptical at 5 years old than most adults.

 

[TheKnight]

When I was two I walked out of my room (cause I had to pee) and I discovered my parents wrapping presents. They said that Santa dropped the presents off for them to wrap but I didn't believe them. I wasn't really upset cause I didn't really believe in Santa all that much before that.

 

[monta]

When I was 6 1/2 I started to wonder about the whole santa thing, I was already an atheist, but santa left presents so he had more going for him proof wise.

My parents used to ask me what I was going to ask santa for and the way they did made me very suspicious so I hatched a plan, I told them I was going to ask for a bike but instead I asked for a scooter.

I got a bike.

Vindicated is the word I would use to describe what I felt.

 

[freethinker44]

I was thrilled. I thought I made a huge discovery of truth, but I told my younger sisters and showed them my proof, which was just an encyclopedia that talked about the santa claus myth, and my mom went nuts. I didn't know it was a lie they told us, I thought they believed it too.

 

[Nepenthe]

I don't have a distinct memory of believing in Santa, but I must have 'cause I do remember finding a receipt that listed a board game I'd wanted, a board game that had been wrapped up and labelled "From Santa". It's stuck in my memory so finding the receipt was apparently somewhat important to me. Or maybe I was already skeptical and this just confirmed the inevitable(?). I must've been 5 or 6 as well, since I think it was this game that came out in '81.

Man I loved that board game. Off to EBay....:run:

 

[Willamena]

I was thrilled. I thought I made a huge discovery of truth, but I told my younger sisters and showed them my proof, which was just an encyclopedia that talked about the santa claus myth, and my mom went nuts. I didn't know it was a lie they told us, I thought they believed it too.

Parents getting upset that you've learned the truth is probably more tramatic than learning the truth.

 

[Erebus]

I don't remember what happened, but my parents say I actually confided in my grandma saying that I didn't really believe in Santa, I just wanted to keep my parents happy.

 

[gzusfrk]

I think most learn on there own theres no santa over a short period of time.I was about 4 or 5 maybe 6 , got to thinking about santa delivering toys to every house in the world, I new he couldnt do it, also little tell tell signs along the way like to many santas running around in december. santa kind of looks like dad ,etc

 

[Willamena]

For me, I think the fact that Santa was portrayed so often in cartoons and children's shows was a tell-tale sign that it was a "story" and not to be taken seriously.

 

[sandandfoam]

If I spent a Christmas with my parents Santa would still come. I always got a bar of chocolate and an orange. If i was at home I'd still get them. Now I've my own kids and I'm Santa. I never stopped believing

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

This is news to me...
he might not be the guy in the store.
But he certainly influences our generosity of spirit. :candle::cold:

 

[BucephalusBB]

We have "sinterklaas" here in the Netherlands, but it seems to slowly be shifting towards santa. Somehow it was always known to me that santa was fake, figuring out that sinterklaas was fake was only one step.

 

[Nepenthe]

We have "sinterklaas" here in the Netherlands, but it seems to slowly be shifting towards santa. Somehow it was always known to me that santa was fake, figuring out that sinterklaas was fake was only one step.

See, Sinterklass fascinates me, mainly because of his helpers, the "Peets".
It's always shocking to my American eyes...what's that all about?


eta: or "Piets".

 

[Zephyr]

See, Sinterklass fascinates me, mainly because of his helpers, the "Peets".
It's always shocking to my American eyes...what's that all about?

There is nothing wrong with zwarte Piet :no:

I never really got into the whole "Santa" thing so it was no surprise to me. My sister took it pretty hard though.

 

[BucephalusBB]

See, Sinterklass fascinates me, mainly because of his helpers, the "Peets".
It's always shocking to my American eyes...what's that all about?


eta: or "Piets".

Zwarte pieten. (black peets)
Has many stories actually. The best one would be that he is a chimney sweeper. This would explain why all the presents are brought through the chimney. And the reason why he is black, is because of the soot.
Another story is that he is the devil

 

[dawny0826]

Note, this is a debate only for people who had a childhood and whose culture includes a varient of Santa Claus. Those who didn't, please refrain from posting.

Were you genuinely surprised, disappointed or alarmed that there was "no Santa Claus," or did it elicit a less fanfaric response? Relief perhaps? Amusement? Perhaps had you already had it figured?

I figured it out at 5 when I suspected that Mom was stashing toys in the nursery closet. When I found them, she was quite cross but confessed that Santa was a special game that she and Dad played to surprise us on Christmas morning.

I didn't appreciate "Santa" any less. I grew up super amazed at how awesome and creative my parents are. With very little money, they always provided something so special for us. I appreciated their efforts more, knowing that it was their creativity and love that brought all that magic during the holidays.

My Mom and Dad rock!

 

[Panda]

I still get presents from Santa. And me and my sister give presents to my mum from Santa as well

 

[Scarlett Wampus]

My parents would leave out a bit of brandy and a mince pie by the fireplace. It was meant as a present for a weary Santa, to give a little back for the stockings of presents, etc. The second Christmas they did this I realised it was a great opportunity - like using a little cheese to catch a mouse.

After being sent to bed I sneaked out and hid downstairs behind the sofa to wait. Much boredom followed but eventually I was rewarded with my dad coming in to feast on Santa's snacks for himself! I can't clearly remember what happened then but I think my mum came in a minute later to tell him I wasn't in my bed and she was carrying stockings with presents in them!!

Caught them red handed. They admitted their guilt under questioning: Santa was just a story.

I promised not to tell my little brother but the following Christmas it was just too cool an exposé to keep to myself.