Let me just tell you a side story John Doe. It's true you WON'T understand unless you have kids.
My son is married to Fiona from Shrek, he is a knight, he can fly and regularly calls Handy Manny and makes me talk to him. Am I lying to him when I carry on a conversation with Handy Manny? Or when I go to his wedding reception to Fiona? Or when I feel the baby in his tummy kick? (his cousin just had a baby)
Should I smash his imagination at every turn? No, that is what nourishes their souls. It is magic, Mrs Jones is right.
So...if you are ever blessed with rugrats don't tell them there is a Santa. Don't play imaginary games with them. Make them adults without the magic of childhood.
It is up to each family what they do or say. No one is saying you should do one thing or another. We are saying what we do, and as adults, Sweetpea and Besty can decide for their own family.
Do you even put up a tree man?