I had to check on where DD was with Santa before we attended any holiday parties. I didn't want to unnecessarily upset other children or parents.

Me: "So, what do you think of Santa?"
DD: "He's still in North Pole."
Me: "Okay. So he is going to visit us with his reindeers?"
DD: "Oh yes. Did you know that reindeers use their ears to fly since they don't have wings?"
Me: "No, I didn't know that but that's most interesting."
DD: "Yes but it's just pretend."
Me: "Hmmm?"
DD: "Santa is only real like fairies are real in movies."
Me: "What do you mean?"
DD: "In real life, Santa and fairies are just pretend but in books and movies, they are real characters."

SO and I need to think about how to best approach this. I'm not surprised but it is a little sad nonetheless.