I’m writing this as someone who has mostly lived in the US and Canada. Personally, I find the whole “lying to children about Christmas” thing just a bit weird (no judgment on those who enjoy this aspect of the holiday). But because it’s completely normalized in our culture, this is something many people have to deal with.
Two questions:
What age does this normally happen? I suppose you want the “magic of Christmas” at younger ages, but it gets embarrassing at a certain point.
And how does it normally happen? Let them find out from others through people at school? Tell them explicitly during a “talk”? Let them figure it out on their own?
Never, because Santa is the spirit of Christmas, and he is real. As long as someone includes a “from Santa” label on at least one gift, Santa’s been there.
Nowadays, it’s agreed in the family that stockings are from Santa.
Oh, “from Santa”… I must’ve been thanking the wrong guy, but Satan does have a similar name.
Satan gives better candy, and has a cool van.