SANTA SPOILER ALERT! Stop reading now! The figure in the red suit who delivers presents with a cheerful “Ho, ho, ho,” has sparked a range of experiences among Lancers—some good, some bad, some naughty, and some nice.
Some Lancers still believe in Santa, and that includes Ms. Gaskins. “For my daughters, I always said, ‘If you don’t believe, you won’t receive,’ and one of them got into a fight in the fifth grade due to kids telling her that Santa wasn’t real,” she said. For Ms. Gaskins and her family, this belief is a core part of their holiday spirit. Holiday cheer, she says, isn’t just about decorating trees or baking cookies for Santa — it’s about believing.
On the other hand, not all Granger students share this perspective, and some don’t celebrate Christmas or believe in Santa at all. Jazmine Jimenez (10) says she doesn’t believe in Santa.
“Because I’ve never experienced it, I would get sad that other kids got presents and I didn’t. That’s why I’m the Grinch,” Jimenez said. Despite her experience, Jimenez has embraced her identity as “The Grinch,” showing creativity and making the most of her holiday season in her own way.
Other Lancers simply accept finding out the truth about Santa as a normal part of growing up. “It’s just a part of growing up,” Strahinja Dragicevic (9) said. For many, the idea of Santa lingers as a tradition, even when they know the truth. In today’s world, students often learn the truth from friends, movies, or the internet.
Many students recall discovering the secret at a young age. “I found out when I was super, super, super small, like six. I found out because I saw my mom wrapping presents, but I didn’t care. I’m a chill guy,” Kevin Flores (10) said. Stories like Flores’ are common at Granger, with students catching their parents doing what they thought Santa was supposed to do, like wrapping presents or sneaking gifts under the tree.
For some, the discovery impacts family dynamics, especially among siblings. “I do believe, but when I found out, my older sister cried. I ran into her room and told her that Santa wasn’t real. I felt like a detective finding out,” Amelia Okeson (11) said. For older siblings, watching younger siblings grow up and learn the truth can feel bittersweet, signaling the end of a magical belief for the family.
Whether or not Lancers believe in Santa, the way the holidays are celebrated doesn’t depend on decorations or traditions alone. Sometimes, the true holiday spirit lies in believing — whether in Santa or in the joy and magic of the season — even after the truth is known.
