“When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear” is a Christmas saying that has been printed on many images. No kid really wants underwear as a Christmas gift.
 
“If I were a kid, I’d try to hang onto my childhood as long as possible. Because the minute you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear” was written by Elston Brooks in the Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram on December 21, 1986. “Robert Orben said: ‘Stop believing in Santa Claus and you get underwear’” was printed in the Kingsport (TN) Times-News on December 21, 1988. It’s possible that American humorist Robert Orben originated the line.
   
     
21 December 1986, Fort Worth (TX) Star-Telegram, “Latest ‘Star Trek’ certainly different” by Elston Brooks, pg. 4D, col. 1:
Idle thought at Christmastime: If I were a kid, I’d try to hang onto my childhood as long as possible. Because the minute you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear.
 
Newspapers.com
23 December 1988, Kingsport (TN) Times-News, “The Christmas ‘spirit of living’” by Lynn Farmen, pg. 6A, col. 3:
Robert Orben said: “Stop believing in Santa Claus and you get underwear.”
 
Newspapers.com
1 December 1991, Kokomo (IN) Tribune, “Frank Gregory’s Talk of the Town,” pg. 21, col. 3:
If I were a kid, I’d keep believing in Santa. Because the minute you stop believing, you get underwear.
 
Google Groups: comp.infosystems.www.browsers.ms-windows
when will netscape 1.22 see an expiration date??
joewo
10/7/95
(...)
IF YOU DONT BELIEVE IN SANTA CLAUS….YOU’RE GONNA GET UNDERWEAR FOR CHRISTMAS!!!
   
Google Groups: alt.fan.madonna
“Maternity Girl”
SunFlowrrs
4/18/96
The Press has let you down?  What the heck are ya doing putting your faith in the press anyways?  Geeez!
[ Stop believing in Santa Claus and you’ll get underwear for Christmas ]
     
Google Books
Christmas Wishes:
Inspiring Sentiments for the Festive Season
By Tom Burns
New York, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Incorporated
2004
Pg. ?:
When you stop believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear for Christmas.
 
Twitter
Todd Pipitone
@tjpip
Replying to @BNeudorffWX
@BrianNeudorff @DrRus I’ve heard you get underwear when you stop believing in Santa
7:54 AM · Dec 3, 2008·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
Joelle Saveliev
@joellesaveliev
From @Bubbster: When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear!
10:16 PM · Sep 18, 2009·Twitter Web Client
     
Google Books
Santa’s Book of Knowledge
By Santa Al Horton
BLoomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2011
Pg. 161:
P.S. Always remember: If you quit believing in Santa Claus, you get underwear for Christmas!!
 
Google Books
Title When You Stop Believing in Santa You Get Underwear: A Blank Lined Journal for the Holidays
Author Paige Cooper
Publisher Independently Published, 2018
ISBN 1726759555, 9781726759557
Length 120 pages
 
Twitter
Country Workshop
@CountryWorkshp
Christmas Sign - When You Stop Believing in #Santa Get #Underwear Sign - Funny Christmas Sign - Santa Sign - #Believe Sign - #Christmas #tmtinsta Decor https://etsy.me/2rmyt36 via
@Etsy
Christmas Sign - When You Stop Believing in Santa Get Underwear Sign - Funny Christmas Sign - Santa…
When You Stop Believing in Santa You Get Underwear This funny Christmas sign measures 6x14 inches is on a painted worn finish with gold stars. Signs are made of ½ inch mdf, a wooden building materi…
etsy.com
6:08 PM · Nov 8, 2019·Twitter Web Client
 
Twitter
Bob Golen
@BobGolen
When you stop believing in Santa, you get underwear and socks.
10:00 AM · Oct 25, 2021
 
Facebook
El Arroyo is at El Arroyo.
December 23, 2022 at 1:09 PM · Austin, TX ·
Learned this the hard way
(The following text is shown on the restaurant’s sign.—ed.)
WHEN YOU STOP
BELIEVING IN
SANTA YOU
GET UNDERWEAR