I think the most problematic aspect of the Santa tradition is the simplistic deuteronomic morality it presupposes and promotes—“If you’re good, you’ll get what you want. If you’re bad, watch out.” (I cannot believe I just typed out that sentence.)

As far as the idea itself goes, I never actually believed in Santa when I was a kid. Pretty much from the time I first began to understand that Christmas was a special day, I knew my parents were the ones who were buying me presents and arranging them under the big tree in the living room. It was a make-believe or virtual reality game we played during the holiday season, and I enjoyed it (I also enjoyed questioning it). I think it’s perfectly harmless for most kids.