Why do we lie to kids about Santa Claus?

We don't really "lie". Santa Claus is just another name for Saint Nicholas and he really did exist. He gave money out to "the poor". And then it was giving that gave him the name of Santa Claus. That is just the jist of the story. Santa Claus is real, and it's the kids who keep Christmas what it is. Santa Claus lives in the imagination and in the spirit of Christmas. Some kids are too young to really understand who Jesus is and why we really celebrate Christmas. Normally, after a child really understands all about Christmas, they are told about Santa Claus and why presents are always under the tree from him. As adults, we look forward to celebrating Christmas for the meaning of it, the beauty of it. It's all about Jesus Christ. Kids look forward to it because of Santa Claus and getting those presents from him underneath the tree on Christmas morning. The stories of Santa Claus helps kids see the reason of sharing, giving, and believing. So really, there is a Santa Claus, just not in the flesh and he doesn't have a red-nosed reindeer...