Same here, my parents never told me, it was just a growing suspicion that slowly came together. At the same time, I never recall being angry with them, it was just a fact of life that parents pretend Santa exists.<p>It is strange that we lie to children, but at the same time, kids have interesting minds, and they seem to really appreciate fantasies, creativity and adventures. This is the one time in their life when they can honestly believe a magic fairy leaves money for their teeth, or that the treasure map they discovered for lost candy in their backyard is real, and left by a pirate 500 years ago. As adults, we lose that magic as we get a better understanding of the world, and we try to relive some of it through movies or games, but for kids, it can exist in reality.<p>So, yes, we lie to them, but in return they live years in what feels like a more fantastical world, and I think they appreciate those memories when they grow up.