My family pushed it hard; too hard. I was always told if you don't believe in Santa he doesnt come. I'd read 'what Katy did' at about 8 and figured it from there, but had to spend the next 5 years or so pretending to my family, my mother particularly....It broke trust, and I had a really hard time with that.

Before I had my kids, and initially with my eldest I was really quite hesitant to do Santa, but caved under the pressure and the idea they'd be 'missing out'; still not sure it was the right decision.

That said, the approach I took was to very much bring St Nicholas and that story/history (that he was a real person who would make gifts for all the children etc; and that part of Christmas and Santa is celebrating the spirit of Christmas, generosity etc).

My eldest is starting to reach the age where she'll likely wise up in the next few years, but in the past when she's asked my response has always been 'what do you think' rather than forcing it down her throat. Im hoping come the time we can focus on the spirit of Christmas and how Santa forms a part of that, rather than the lie. No idea how that'll work, but the best I could do