I don't see any problem with it. I mean, so many people have been told the lies and then when they find out, get over it.
The odd thing is, I don't get why really you need to make him some magical being/person and such, when it's the presents that get children excited.

But yeah, didn't hurt me. But then, I did go round telling everyone in nursery (I was about 3 I think) that Santa wasn't real. Yes, I got told off by the teacher(s) and made many little kids cry. =D

I never believed in Santa, but at least the idea of it keeps little kiddies' imaginations alive.

Letting kids believe in Santa is probably good. It gives them something to keep them always happy before they turn into depressed adults living in the real world. Plus, if we got rid of Santa, we'd have to get rid of the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, etc.

Why? They exist.

Santa isn't real???

Why not? Santa helps kids maintain their innocence....at least for a while. Basically what Chris said.

NO HE ISN'T

So what is real and what isn't? Is the boogieman real?

*runs of crying to mom*

I really don't have a problem with letting them believe it for a while...i actually never believed in santa...don't know why guess i was just to smart...

Oh, the boogieman is real. You don't want to mess with the boogieman. *shudders*

So smart that even now, you can't tell the difference between "of" and "off", and also "to" and "too".

Tsk tsk... Spelling Nazi.

Poor Santa and his inbreeding elves.

I don't believe in lying to kids, period. I don't hate on people for telling their kids about Santa, but I won't do it. No point.