Tell Us How You Learned Santa Isn't Real

If you grew up celebrating Christmas, chances are, you believed in the magic of Santa Claus. For many Christmas Eves, you'd lie anxiously in your bed, both trying to fake sleep and listen intently for reindeer hooves on your roof. It was exhilarating!!

Unfortunately, the magic didn't last forever. One way or another, you eventually realized the truth: The jolly old guy in a red suit was NOT breaking into your house once a year to deliver gifts.

We all figured it out in different ways. How did you come to learn the truth about Santa?

Perhaps you heard some kids at school talking, so you decided to investigate on your own. You went rifling through your parents' closet and under their bed, and you found a bunch of wrapped presents. You confronted them, and they told you.

Or, maybe you didn't have a clue in the world that Santa wasn't real. In fact, you were SURE he was real, and you were gonna catch him. You hid your sister's tablet down by your Christmas tree and left it recording all night. You fast-forwarded through the footage, but no Santa appeared. You only saw your parents and your siblings. That's how you pieced it together.

Or, perhaps you were deathly afraid of Santa Claus and had an absolute breakdown every Christmas Eve. You hated the idea of some strange man coming into your house, and you'd worry yourself sick all night. After many stressful Christmas Eves, your parents finally sat you down and told you there was nothing to worry about. You were SO relieved he wasn't real, you were finally able to sleep on Christmas Eve.

So, what's your story? How did it happen for you? Tell us in the comments, or submit anonymously using this form for a chance to be featured in a BuzzFeed Community post.