The Real Santa

The Saturday afternoon before Christmas I was given the chance to go play Santa.  Tim sent me off to go shopping for a bit and I was able to finish up my shopping (mostly for him!).  I was so joyful, happy with my purchases, feeling the Christmas spirit in the chilly air and smiling on my way back to the van.  I even caught a glimpse of this…

The sunset over the shopping center. So pretty

But when I got home, Ben was clearly upset.  After talking to Tim for a minute I found out that while I was gone he had taken it upon himself (Ben, that is) to tell Gavin that Santa Claus is not real.  Tim was upset with him for telling him that… And Gavin was too, apparently.

When I took Ben in another room to talk about it, just the two of us, he told me he was confused and that he knew there was no way one person could deliver ALL those toys in 12 hours.  (He’s very logical).

I figured it was time to spill and so I told him that we would discuss it more after we got back from our dinner out.

So we did.  And Tim and I used some of the wording and explanations from the letter below.

(a friend posted this on FB, that’s where I go it… no idea who “Ryan” is…)

I am not sure if he was more surprised to learn that Tim and I are technically his Santa or that our elf, “Elfie” is not “real” either.

And I cried a little telling him since I could literally see part of his childhood innocence seeping right out of him…

I think in a way he was really relieved to know but then later he told me he was a little disappointed to learn that there isn’t necessarily a man in red who comes from the North Pole.  I kinda wanted to immediately make him watch The Polar Express again and use one of those mind-eraser doo-hickeys, like from Men in Black so he could believe in it ALL again.

But alas, that is not meant to be and now Tim and I have an extra helper next Christmas who is most excited to move “Elfie” around during the 2013 Christmas season.  Plus, this year he bought gifts for his siblings and me (while out shopping with Dad) and kinda played “Santa” himself.  And was most happy to do so.

I just REALLY hope he continues to believe in the magic of all, if even just a little bit…

So, have you had to share the secret with any of your elves yet?  If not, how will you handle it?

p.s. Be ready for many follow up questions…