SURVEY SAYS: When Did You Learn "The Truth?"

The responses, as you might imagine were intriguing.

Perhaps most telling was the fact that more than one-in-five (22.5%) wondered “what truth about Santa Claus?”   At this point, those in that category might just want to logoff – far be it from me to find my way into my own survey….

Beyond that result, there was a definite peak of “knowledge” between the ages of 6 and 7, when 17.4% of respondents learned the truth, while nearly 14% said it was between 7 and 8 years old, and just over one-in-ten ( 11% ) found out between the ages of 8 and 9.  

In fact, it was downright interesting to note the neat little blocks in each of the age brackets; 9.2% between the ages of 9 and 10, another 8.3% between the ages of 5 and 6, 5.5% between the ages of 4 and 5, and 8.3% “sometime after my 10 ^th birthday.”   Just 2.8% learned between 3 and 4, and the remaining 1% or so were less than 2 (including some who were really never told anything about Santa Claus).

Who Told You?

As for who was responsible – nearly a full quarter ( 24.6% ) said they figured it out on their own, while 16% said “OK, seriously, WHAT truth about Santa Claus (didn’t I tell you guys to quit reading?), and a matching 16% opted for “other” (more on that in a minute).  

Nearly 14% said “heck if I remember,” but for more than one-in-ten ( 11.9% ), it was schoolmates that spilled the beans.   Siblings were responsible in 8.5% of the cases, while Mom did so for 5.9% of this week’s respondents, and Mom and Dad teamed up in 3.4% of the situations.   Interestingly enough, nobody cited Dad (by himself), nor were grandparents, movies, or TV cited.

Now, as for that “other” category, it was truly a mixed bag; “cousins” was a frequent citation, as were kids in the neighborhood ( “Neighborhood kid. Obnoxious little kill-joy…,” recalled one reader), and teachers.   “The babysitter” came up a couple of times (one reader noted, “I was telling my babysitter about this great present I got for Christmas (perhaps I failed to add in the “from Santa” part) and she replied, “Oh right, I was here when your mother went to pick it up.” My mother was so upset, we never saw that sitter again.” ), and several didn’t remember ( “I don’t really remember but probably my older brother who delighted in destroying dreams and confidence and childhood… ,” recalled one reader), while several apparently caught Santa “in the act”:   One reader recalled, “I ‘found’ a hidden doll several months before Christmas morning. I received the same doll as a present from Santa. How did I know it was the same doll, I ‘marked’ the doll so that I would know if it was the same one.”  Another said, “I woke up just as my dad was putting my new bike under the Tree.”

There were SO many great stories that people shared about their experience - and you'll find a goodly sampling on the pages that follow.   But here are some of my favorites:

"My brother ruined it for me by showing me the presents in Mom and Dad's closet, then told me he would beat me up if I told them, and that I must act surprised on Christmas Day. It is very hard to 'act' at 7 years old, but we pulled it off and never told Mom and Dad until we were adults. It was the most memorable Christmas ever, I remember everything I got that year because I was so paranoid about acting surprised so I didn't get caught and didn't get beat up by my brother.

"Actually you'll find my daughter's situation funnier. She was in first grade it was Easter. The mall had an "Easter Bunny". My daughter told me that bunnies do not walk on two feet. I told her that it was an Easter Bunny Helper, like one of Santa's Elves. She then stated in a matter of fact way- "Tell me the Truth" I thought about it for a moment and then I told her the truth. She then said " And I suppose you are going to tell me there is no Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause Either"

"My dad was a fireman and so somehow Santa knew whether or not he would be at work on X-Mas day. If he had to work that day, we always went to Grandma's on X-Mas Eve and when we got back Santa would have been there and we would open our gifts. Dad was slated to work, so we all piled into the car (now there were 8 kids at the time) and Mom & Dad "forgot" something. When we were waiting in the car I discovered I actually did forget my mittens (it was cold in) so I went back in to retrieve them. Looking for Mom, I happened on my parents feverishly throwing gifts under the tree. Needless to say I backed out of the room slowly and never said a word."

"At bedtime, my mother sat at the end of the bed and brought up the subject and tried to convince me I already knew-- "Oh, you know there's no Santa Claus! You know that your father and I do it all!" No I didn't! Obviously I'm still traumatized--I can remember it like it was yesterday."

"I couldn't sleep one time so I walked into the kitchen and caught my father eating the cookies! Plus I noticed my presents were in my mother's handwriting."

"I was looking for something that I thought might be in an upper cabinet in the kitchen. Getting to it took some work on my part. Had to use a chair (before the age of safety consciousness) to get to the kitchen counter upon which I stood to reach the small upper cabinets that were positioned over the main wall cabinets. I rather wished that I hadn't found out."

"I decided than since reindeer really could not fly, there must not be a 'real' Santa Claus."

"I realized something was up when the carrots we left for the reindeer next to Santa's cookies ended up the rabbit's cage."

But this week's Editor's Choice goes to the reader who noted that, "Our daughters, ages 25 and 21, receive gifts from "Santa Claus". They think the gifts are from my husband and I - silly girls."

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!   Merry Christmas!