I answered “Something else” to the journal question, so I should explain
I have a few notebooks where I keep various lists, such as a list of things of I am looking forward to in the new year, or places I want to go. Writing stuff down and then looking back and updating it really helps when I am going through periods of anxiety.
The overhead light on my range hood in the kitchen is always on.
Being Jewish, we were told there was no Santa but that we shouldn’t discuss this with the Christian children because that was between them and their parents. If I had children, I’d tell them the same (though since I’m married to a non-Jew, mine is not the only preference to consider).
I’m Jewish, but Santa used to visit my household. And i remember the day i learned that Santa Claus was actually my parents. Which is not to say they lied about Santa Claus.
We did lie to our kids about the tooth fairy. We claimed the we weren’t the tooth fairy. We never said we weren’t Santa.
I don’t remember what, if anything, my parents told me about Santa Claus. I also don’t remember whether I ever believed in Santa Claus.
I don’t remember what I was told about Santa, but I do remember how I found out about the tooth fairy. Who had 5 o’clock shadow when he kissed me after putting the quarter under my pillow. I extrapolated from tat to Santa.
My response was pretty much the same as @susan’s, and for the same reason. We knew we got presents on Hanukah and that they were from family/friends, but still of course saw all the Xmas stuff but was told from a quite young age (I want to say 6ish?) that was a holiday for Christians and who cares because we got presents for MORE DAYS.
We were a religious family but my parents were cool with Santa.
But on 12/24/59, when I was a week short of being five, I learned there was no Santa. We were in the car and getting ready to go to the children’s program at church. Mom forgot something and had to run back inside. There was a crack in the curtains and I saw her put away the milk and Oreos. But I didn’t tell the folks what I’d seen, as I figured it migth get me less goodies. I realized there probably wasn’t any Easter Bunny either but I didn’t want to risk losing out on the chocolate eggs.
I remember this so distinctly but three years later Mom told me there was no Santa and I don’t recall that. She says I rep[lied “Oh I know that.”
I was the annoying kid who tried to convince the other kids that Santa was not real.
I sorta regret that now.
mmm
At some point it clicked that Santa’s handwriting on the tags and my mother’s looked the same, and that they used the same wrapping paper.
I told my kids that it didn’t matter what “Santa” brought them, anything other than wooden toys and he’d send me the invoice to pay for it. Those elves didn’t make your game boy there, son! 
My mom grew up in Germany where the Christ child would bring presents while you were off at church on Christmas Eve, except they weren’t particularly religious, and so we opened presents on Christmas Eve, but had neither Santa, church, nor the Christ child.
I keep a ghost light on in the back of the basement. We have A LOT of shit back there, abd I don’t want anyone stuck back there in the dark where they could injure themselves.
Mrs Magill has gone on about how good roasted chestnuts are and finally roasted some last year. I still can’t believe I put that thing in my mouth.
That’s what she…aw, nevermind.
mmm
Thanks, MMM. Now I have something to post in the “What made me smile today” thread.
Oh, and I don’t have any children; so didn’t have to decide what to tell them.
I did once respond to a suspicious young nephew who asked me whether Santa was real by saying “There are different kinds of real.” He took that as a “no”, though I hadn’t really meant it that way; but he was already suspicious, or he wouldn’t have been asking me.
Yeah, I guess I walked straight into that one.
If I could use my litigatory powers, then yes, there are multiple current-ongoing or past cases in the world in which I’d like to intervene as both a prosecutor and defender.
What, you want to be both prosecutor and defender for the same case?