Writing to Santa–HELP ME!

We have mentioned Santa Claus just a handful of times to our kids, for just this reason (besides the obvious ‘that’s not why we celebrate Christmas’): I never wanted them to get the idea that they could just ask for whatever they wanted for Christmas and expect to get it. We are being very simple with their presents this year (well, every year I guess) since we CAN–they aren’t old enough to really want anything expensive, and it will change anyways by the time Christmas comes. I guess I remember writing to Santa and not being too disappointed that I didn’t ever get a horse, but I don’t know how you get your kids to not be sad about it on Christmas morning. But then, I don’t think I actually ever believed in Santa all that much. As children, my siblings and I hid our stuffed animals in the living room so they could see Santa, but I remember my older brother and sister talking about how he wasn’t real and so I don’t think I ever believed in him, and if I did, not for long. Isn’t it weird that we sort of tell our kids a lie? We have been watching Christmas shows and on quite a few of them they talk about writing to Santa-heck, even in the music we listen to! So Carson wanted to write Santa–he wants a big wooden sled kind of like the one pictured, but this has been the ONLY thing he has mentioned he wants! We got them things that totaled between the two of them about $35.00, and I am done. I’ve tried mentioning one of the toys we did get to get him excited, and he said, “Maybe Lightning McQueen slippers AND a sleigh!” Hmm, what do I do (or what do I say really, since buying the sled is not the answer for us!)? ADVICE PLEASE:).