I would start leaving little hints around. Mention you got so and so's present at such a store, buy wrapping paper, write out the tag in your own hand, start discussing what everybody wants for Christmas, etc...

Anonymous wrote:My first-year non-believer said the other day, "Can you still put 'From Santa' on some of the gift tags?"

Made me teary-eyed. It's hard to give it up!

I'm with you mom... it's like some of the magic has died & the harsh real world is now forefront.

My 9-year old DD still believes in Santa too. She is a highly analytical and inquisitive kid. It boggles my mind, but I love that we had another magical Christmas, with milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer at the fireplace.

My son is almost 9 and asked me a few weeks ago if Santa is real. Since he asked, I told him. He seemed excited to,know what grownups know at first, but later he had to process the "lying" part. He then told his best friend, who still believes, and his best friend said my son was lying. The friend wasn't ready to stop believing yet. (My son got in trouble because we expressly told him not to tell other kids)

I agree with others-- no need for an official unveiling. My 7 yo still seems to believe, though I suspect he's starting to have doubts. I vehemently believed at 6 and was just playing along by 9, but my parents never "told" me, and there was nothing traumatic in the gradual realization. Unless she is asking point blank, I'd just let her enjoy it. Even if kids intellectually know it's not real, it's still fun to let yourself believe a little longer.

My 11 year old 6th grader still believes in Santa and the elf on the shelve. If she finds out, she will for sure ruin it for her 7 year old sister also. So we are hoping it will last one more year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

Middle school is filled with heathens who are ready and willing to tease the heck out of the believers.

Santa doesn't visit bad kids.

What is wrong with you?
Namecalling people who don't think like you is pathetic.

I highly doubt she truly still believes she is mostly just playing along for the fun of it. Which is okay.

As for telling her you absolutely do not tell her now a few days before Christmas. That would be mean.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

Middle school is filled with heathens who are ready and willing to tease the heck out of the believers.

Idk, I suspect kids who get to middle school and believe or "believe" in Santa, on some level know not to say things like, "I hope Santa brings me a new phone!" around their peers.

Anonymous wrote:My mother told us Santa was the spirit of Christmas. Then we thought Santa was a ghost.

Your mother was right. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

My mother told us Santa was the spirit of Christmas. Then we thought Santa was a ghost.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

Middle school is filled with heathens who are ready and willing to tease the heck out of the believers.

Santa doesn't visit bad kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

I'm 52 and those of you non-believers are simply heathens.

I agree! My oldest is 27 and my youngest is 16. We have five children. We never "told" any of them. Santa comes to see everyone who still believes. I don't understand the need for an official unveiling. Santa visits this house every Christmas Eve. Once our youngest leaves for college, Santa won't be visiting our children here anymore. But I'm sure the grandkids will be here for Christmas every so often. And Santa certainly has our address.

Anonymous wrote:My nephew is in 7th grade and still believes. I think this is way outside the range of normal.

10 year old is probably in her last year. Just enjoy it.

My sisters rule of thumb (different parent than above child) - no child should enter middle school believing in Santa. I tend to agree with this sister, not the one with the 7th grader.

+1
And really even before then

Let her believe. If you are to tell her, do it in July.

I'm actually quite relieved my daughter learned the truth from kids at camp one summer. Was she upset and on the verge of tears when we had the talk that night? Yes, but it was a good talk and she survived. To this day, I still write their gifts as being from Santa even though there are no longer any believers in my household.