Trainees at the Santa school in London. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
When the truth about Santa was broken to a class of nine and 10 year-olds this week it was deemed far too early for the Daily Mail and its readers.
The class had been given a work sheet downloaded from the education charity Hamilton Trust, which suggested that only "small children" believed in Santa.
It was apparently another example of "sinister lefties" spoiling the innocence of the nation's youth.
One ex-pat even managed to blame New Labour. "Nothing of childhood is now safe from the nanny-state," says Malcolm from Cannes on the message board.
A spokeswoman for the Hamilton Trust argued that by the age of 10 "it seems unlikely that a child wouldn't be aware of Santa's imaginary nature". This seems perfectly reasonable. But in a recent survey of children, Father Christmas was rated the fifth most famous person in the world. (Even more worryingly Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne also featured in the top 10.)
Commenting on the survey, child psychologist Richard Bulkeley mused: "Sharing fantasies may well stimulate children's brains and help develop language skills."
Is that right? For how long should parents and teachers encourage a belief in Father Christmas (never mind judges on the X Factor)?
When did you find out Santa didn't exist?
