NO ‘Why would I want to ruin their childhood?’
Seeing my two growing up, I can’t imagine anyone choosing to tell their children that Santa Claus isn’t real. Believing in Santa is part of a healthy childhood imagination. It feeds children’s creativity, and shows them the good in the world.
That’s why I’ll never utter the words ‘Santa isn’t real’ to my kids. My son Bradley is 15, and obviously knows. But I certainly didn’t tell him. He came to the realisation himself. And my daughter Sophie, nine, still very much believes. It means her big brother has to collude in the secret. So he’ll still write letters with her, and they’ll put mince pies and whisky on the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve.
It’s so lovely to see them do that together. The fact is they don’t have much in common now, because of their age difference. But this is one of the few things that keep them connected.
Santa’s helper
Don’t get me wrong. Sophie knows that not every Santa she sees is real. As an events manager, I often organise meet and greets with Father Christmas at department stores and garden centres, and sometimes Sophie will dress up as an elf, and help hand out the gifts. In those situations, she knows that these Santas aren’t real and that they are helpers sent out in Santa’s place because he’s too busy at this time of year.
But she still believes there’s a real Santa out there. And it’s not a case of lying to my children. I am completely open with them about everything. We can have any kind of conversation.
I just believe a child has a right to an imagination. It’s not about make-believe, it’s about having faith in the possibility of a kinder, more compassionate world. And what’s more important than that? Ella Brookbanks, 31, Cheshire