How did you find out Santa Claus was not real?

I think Very early I knew there was no "in the flesh" Santa
The Santas I saw everywhere we really Santa's helpers and the "Real" Santa was busy making gifts for everyone in the world in some faraway place. I also knew that My grandma knew Santa on a first name bases and Had a direct line to him (Only grandparents could talk to Santa in person) If I somehow got on Santa's naughty list Grandma would talk to Santa for me and explain to him why I should get off the naughty list.
Santa is just a vehicle in teaching a child different things. It was explained to me that a little child believing in Santa is a way to help teach a child faith. Because we can't see God (unless you are a Prophet) I feel you don't have to deny Santa let the child do it for themselves. I have always said I believed in Santa when asked, Because I do! AND because I am a Grandpa I talk to Santa almost everyday, My Granddaughter is kind of a corker.

But much like I have said before Santa is a movement, train of thought, a spirit of faith ,a way to give to others anonymously without fanfare.

 

What do you mean that Santa is not real??????

 

I stopped believing because I recognized my mom's handwriting on all the presents. My mom really did the Santa thing well. She would always get a big boot and leave a print on the chimney. She'd give the carrot to our bunny to nibble on. She had my grandfather write the notes and such (it's when he stopped doing it that I recognized her handwriting and realized it was all fake). And *always* left at least a few pieces of coal in our stocking to which she'd say "well, guess you weren't that good!"

 

That same post could have been written by me, but I asked about Santa first! I had my doubts from school when some of my friends were speculating that their parents were Santa, but I held off a while before I actually asked my parents. I still remember sitting at the kitchen table asking my mother if Santa was real. I thought it was cool that my brother still believed, and it stayed that way for a few years longer.

 

I think I was in 3rd grade, and I put 2 and 2 together. I rrealized that it's impossible for someone to fly around the world all in one night to deliver presents to every kid. I called my parents out on it at dinner one night.

 

I found the presents in my parents bedroom closet. Parents, this is not a good place to hide presents.