This is why I believed in Santa till I was like 10. One year, my sister and I got a couple big presents, but I knew my folks were in a bad financial spot. “There’s no way Mom and Dad could afford this, it must’ve been Santa!”

Turns out it was just more debt :(

“It’s the hope that’s important. Big part of belief, hope. Give people jam today and they’ll just sit and eat it. Jam tomorrow, now – that’ll keep them going forever.”

AND YOU MEAN THAT BECAUSE OF THIS THE POOR GET POOR THINGS AND THE RICH GET RICH THINGS?

“’s right,” said Albert. “That’s the meaning of Hogswatch.”

Death nearly wailed.

BUT I’M THE HOGFATHER! He looked embarrassed. AT THE MOMENT, I MEAN.

“Makes no difference,” said Albert, shrugging.

• Hogfather, Sir Terry Pratchett (GNU)