I mean, I interpreted the statement as "this is something that happened" i.e. he's aware that it's a belief from the past, where transporter technology didn't exist yet. I can't believe the Santa tradition actually survives into an age where materialism is mostly eradicated.

But yeah also, the Santa thing contains that Santa actually physically delivers the presents himself, which, even with their current technology, is impossible. You'd need time travel for that.