I figured it out when I was young. I couldn’t tell you what kicked it off in my little mind, but suddenly the entire concept of Santa didn’t make sense. I do remember being very concerned with how the Elves knew how to make things that were (to my child mind) complex, like a Sega Genesis and the games. I couldn’t have told you how we did it, either, but it made more sense for a company focused on it versus some elves in the middle of nowhere trying to make all that and all the hand crafted wooden toys the Christmas specials all showed.

I dealt with it pretty well, no meltdowns or anything, just a simple “I don’t believe Santa is real”. Had a couple family members try to keep the story going, but others just accepted the magic was over and explained it to me fully. Still had gifts from “Santa”, but that was explained as someone not wanting their gift, if it was bigger or more expensive, to feel more important than anyone else’s.