Physically, Santa does not exist for me in the least bit. I was always one of the children that firmly believed in Santa Claus, up until third grade. It was early October andwe were talking about Santa during our snack time, when this kid Marcus just flat out said he wasn't real. At that point, our class got into a screaming match. I lead the seventeen believers, while Marcus lead the six non-believers. We kept going back and forth at it, until I just asked my teacher. She replied, without looking at me may I add, "Only if you believe." I knew she was hiding something. I went home and told my mother that I was losing faith in Santa. After many attempts to keep me Santa-filled for one more year, my mother finally admitted his non-existance. After that, I became a snooper and my Christmas sucked for a good two-three years.
Emotionally and spiritually, though, Santa is as real as you and me. He's a part of our culture and childhood. He represents so much of our innocence and dreams. When I'd put cookies out for him even after I found out he was fake made him seem real again. My mom still today signs his name on the presents, and it puts a little magic into Christmas. And Santa does still live on through the children, as he will for generations to come. =]