All parents know, it's only a matter of time. There are only so many years that a child will believe that an omnipresent fat man in a red suit can travel the world in a night, squeeze down a chimney, and can be in every mall in America at the exact same time, before common sense and their playmates start to cast doubt. Depending on the kid, catching Mom kissing Santa Claus can either be a natural part of growing up or a complete betrayal of trust. So what to do when you're busted with your hand underneath the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve? There are basically three tactics:
The Cold, Hard Truth: "That's right, son, I'm Santa. But we only lied to you to make Christmas more magical for you. Now suck it up and don't ruin it for your little brother."
Get Metaphysical: "Santa might not be real, technically. But in a way, we're all a part of the spirit of Christmas, so in a way you could say we're all Santa Claus." A variation of this is the "Santa lives in our hearts" line.
The Dodge: "Mom, are you Santa?" "I certainly hope not - *wink*." Parents who use this technique refuse to acknowledge the truth, even after their kids become parents themselves.
