What To Tell Your Children About Santa Claus

For many small children - and some adults - Santa Claus is one of the most exciting things about Christmas. The friendly old man in the red suit is a symbol of festive cheer and goodwill across the land, but what do you do when your children realise that it's actually mum and dad putting the presents in their stockings?

For little ones, you might be able to maintain the myth for a few more years but telling them about Santa's magic and how not everything can be examined with logic. For the more savvy older ones, maybe you could introduce them to the original story of St Nicholas, a generous and wealthy priest in the 4th century who anonymously gave gifts to the poor, and explain why his actions are still celebrated.

      "Ouch! It is real, you know!"