I don’t remember ever believing in Santa or the Easter bunny. I think it’s cause my sister is six years older, either she told me or I picked up clues from her.
I was 8 or 9, I think. We were living in Texas that year, and planned to visit our grandparents in California for Christmas. My mother swore to us that Santa would find us there, but that Santa would only leave the stockings in California, and that he would bring the “big” presents to our house in Texas while we were in California, so we wouldn’t have to bring everything back with us on the airplane.
Several problems with this story, even to an 8yo brain. Mainly, our house in Texas had nothing resembling a fireplace. I’m not even sure it had central heat. When I pointed this out to my mother, she gave me a bogus story about how Santa could get in through cracks around the door, for houses without fireplaces.
About a week before we left for CA, I was looking for something in the garage, and came across an electric organ–something that I had specifically asked Santa for the previous week. I was excited, but I kept my mouth shut about it. Sure enough, when we got back from CA, and walked into the house, there were all of the “Santa” presents–including the organ–set up exactly as if Santa had entered the house while we were gone.
I learned two things from this. One, that my parents had lied about Santa. Two, that I couldn’t possibly tell my younger sibs what I had discovered. They would have been absolutely devastated, or would have refused to believe me.
I did tell my mother the next year that I had figured it out, and I got rewarded by becoming a Santa’s elf. I got to help her put out the Santa presents and fill the stockings for my sibs. 
My now-14yo daughter figured it out when she was about 8, in almost the same way I did–by accidentally finding a “Santa” present in my closet before Christmas. She managed to keep the secret from her little brother (now 11yo) for a few years, but last year, we all decided that it was definitely time to let him know about it. He took it rather well, but I’m pretty sure that somewhere in his mind there is still a firm belief in Santa Clause, and that he will still insist on going to visit the mall Santa next December.
I don’t remember ever really fully believing in Santa. I wanted to when I was younger, but just couldn’t and I gave up when I was 8, I think. I wonder if that has anything to do with my atheism…
I don’t recall for me (around 5 or 6, I guess), but remember it well for my daughter.
When she was four, she wanted to report the kids next door to Santa because they didn’t believe in him.
When she was five, she talked about Santa all the time, and I enjoyed it, thinking that this would be the last year.
Then, on Christmas night, when I tucked her into bed, she got a worried look on her face and asked, “Is it OK to pretend to believe in Santa?”
I smiled, told her, “Yes,” and turned out the light.
It’s one of my favorite memories.
I have no idea how old I was, but I distinctly remember the Christmas that my folks decided to come clean with my brother and me: Dad dressed up as some kind of cross between Superman and Santa (red washcloth on his head, white washcloth somehow tied to his chin, big towel across his shoulders like a cape … all while wearing an undershirt and jeans) and we watched him put presents under the tree. It wasn’t sad or anything, so I’m thinking the little bro and I already knew about Santa, but it was pretty darn funny. One of the few really good memories I have of my father from my childhood. I don’t think they would have blown it for my brother before he was 5 or 6, so maybe I was 7 or 8?
What an excellent idea! The kid in my life is only 4, so he still believes, but I’m going to keep that little ruse in mind for a few years from now. It would be quite easy for me to put a bug in Santa’s ear while his folks are in line with him … he wouldn’t even have to know that I was there! Oh yes, I love deceiving children! 
Well, I never believed in Santa, being rasied Jewish and all that.
However, I am embarassed to admit I was the one who blew it for my best friend when I was 5. My parents had told me about Santa in the “this is what other people believe and we respect the beliefs of others” way. But at age 5 I couldn’t believe even the stupidest child bought it for real. So when my friend told me about the presents Santa was bringing her, and asked me if Santa was going to bring me presents, I rolled my eyes and said “your parents bring you presents.” Apparently anyway. I don’t remember this at all, but they say it made a bit of a splash in my friend’s household. Ooops.
Sorry!!! I never did it again! (er, I don’t think).
When I was around five I just sort of figured out that it was logistically impossible. It wasn’t a big deal; I didn’t even confront my parents with the revelation. When I was nine and my sister was born my mom explained the whole Santa thing and was all like “you don’t still believe, do you?” and I was like “um, no.” My sister believed until she was at least nine, though, and still gets a weird look on her face when we talk about Santa (she’s 15 now). Old beliefs die hard.
I still get at least one present a year labeled “from Santa” and I’m 24. Seems kinda pointless, but hey, it’s STUFF!
When I was 3 or so my older brother, around 7, started to ask what Santa could do vs. Jesus. That was too much for my strick Mormon father, who didn’t want any doubts about Jesus, so my parents 'fessed up to my older brother and sister. They weren’t supposed to tell us younger ones, and well all know how well 6 and 6 year olds can keep secrets. :rolleyes:
So I never remember believing in Santa. In kindergarten I had a debate with a friend about Santa, he believing it and I not, but he refused to listen to me. Humm. Not much changes over the years. Still can’t get believe to listen.
Still can’t get people to listen. :smack:
I remember telling kids in my class that Santa was real, but now dead. I was in first grade - so 5 or 6. I don’t know where I got the idea but I remember being pretty sure of it.
See above.
Nice beard. Grow it yourself?
(Neat costume all round, for that matter)
“all round”, are we being punny?
Malacandra
Curious, your location says UK. I know that doesn’t indicate that you grew up there. I was wondering if you did.
I was also wondering is he “Santa” or “Father Christmas” in your household or were they interchangeable?
We say “Father Christmas” more, I should say, but we use “Santa” as a synonym. A neighbour who was a member of the Santas’ Guild or whatever it is claimed that they used the titles differently according to the costume: “Santa” wears a jacket, trousers, belt and hat like in GusNSpot’s excellent picture, “Father Christmas” a hooded red robe. But they’re understood to be one and the same person.
Bio note: I have lived all my life in England barring about two and a half years as an RAF kid in Singapore. But that was forty years ago.
and in the interest of equal time, here’s a scientific inquiry on the “Virginia Postulate”
No, that’s the now-debunked “Classical Santa” theory. It’s obvious in the light of the evidence that Santa is really a quantum entity. The uncertainty principle allows him to exist in multiple locations simultaneously.
The obvious corollary to this is that he must never be observed in any location, as that would collapse the wave function and cause him to exist only in that one location. Fortunately, this never happens, for one simple reason: Causing millions of children to be miserable at the loss of their Christmas presents would plainly be very naughty indeed – and, as we well know, Santa doesn’t visit naughty children. Problem solved!
Well Bah, Humbug! to you to.
Malacandra: Thank you. I was always curious and from way to much Tolkien and CS Lewis reading and several of my favorite Christmas Songs, I use Father Christmas more than most Americans.
so what you’re saying is that Santa (or his sleigh) contains an Infinite Improbability Drive?
Cite?
i stand by the Virginia Postulate, it is physically and scientifically impossible for Santa to exist, sorry, but “you canna’ change the laws of Physics”