Must be Santa

I've been reading philosophers lately, mostly on the subject of atheism. For some reason, the question that recently popped into my head was, "What is the point of Santa Claus?" When we treat our kids to mythical old Saint Nick, and then let them know when they're older that there is no Santa Claus, why do we do that? Does anyone even know?

I'm not suggesting we stop the Santa stuff, but I just wonder what it all means? I'm forming vague ideas about its being an unconscious preparation for the revelation that there is no God. But that revelation never comes to a lot of people.

I'm looking for ideas. Maybe there's a book. Google time.