h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When I was young my parents would always, when questioned directly about whether Santa does exist, ask my sister and I what we thought and we would yammer on about it comming to our own conclusions, with my folks silently observing or asking questions and such untill we returned to playing eith the toys or whatever. Straight out lying and setting hoaxes aren't a bad idea, and not neccessarily hard on the kids when they find things out, but evasiveness is a little easier on the parents conscience (and body, if you try climbing on roofs).