We never did "santa" at our house at all. It was just never an option. Christmas is a spiritual season with lots of symbols and santa is just one (secular) of them but the kids have always known he was pretend. I doubt if they ever felt the need to break the NEWS to anyone at school because it was no big deal. Should someone ask "what is santa bringing you?" - they would just know it means "what are you hoping to receive for Christmas?" or that sort of thing.

I don't know why, but we DID have a "tooth fairy" I assumed that was another thing the kids knew was pretend as well but one of my kids recently told me they found one of their teeth in my jewlry box at one time and felt betrayed!! I always tryed to the max to be very honest and yet still play pretend and encourage the kids to use their imaginations - it is a very difficult balance!!! I did NOT want to be like the mom on "Miracle on 34th Street" THAT movie made a big impact on me!!!