How Do You Keep Santa Alive?

When my oldest son was 2 on christmas morning when we got up to open presents he noticed that santa had left his hat behind next to the cookie plate..We sent a letter to our son a few days later explaining that Santa had accidenly left his hat behind and it would be great if he could leave it out with santa's cookies the next yr..Well santa got his hat back and left another letter..Also every yr we make a production out of going outside into the snow after its dark and putting "raindeer" food out..Im always super careful to not take them to many places that have "mall santas"because my oldest is 7 and may start catching on..We have one amazing santa at the mall...they do the huge sleigh the elves the whole deal and his beard is real..A huge must..LMAO.