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Original poster

Why is everyone referring to "Santa"

795 replies

WinWinnieTheWay · 08/12/2020 20:30

DH and I (from different UK countries and different social class) were both brought up with Father Christmas. Why are so many people calling FC "Santa" these days? Is it just the impact of American culture? Each to their own, but I don't like it.

OP posts:
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berrygirlie · 09/12/2020 05:16

Agree with PPs, don't think I've ever heard anyone say "Father Christmas" in Scotland.

Takethereigns · 09/12/2020 05:40

@WinWinnieTheWay

A lot of you have read into this an insult that isn't intended. I said that DH and I were brought up in different social class and different countries, but still used FC. I had no idea it was so contentious, I just can't work out the geographic divide. When I was little Santa was only heard on TV.
Think the way you have implied that it’s wrong to use Santa Claus, and that’s it’s an Americanism has annoyed people. I never routinely heard Father Christmas used until I moved to south west.
CeeceeBloomingdale · 09/12/2020 05:43

Its always been Santa or Santy where I live. I don't like FC

Interested in this thread?

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Christmas Events & celebrations
MinimumChips · 09/12/2020 05:45

Always been Santa for me but I grew up in Australia.

tisonlymeagain · 09/12/2020 05:46

It was always Father Christmas when I was growing up (I'm in my 40s) but within my own children it's been interchangeable though most often Santa.

Tashface · 09/12/2020 05:58

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

🎶I saw Mommy kissing Father Christmas, underneath the Christmas tree last niiiiiiggghhhht🎶

🎶Father Christmas, baby, slip a sleigh bell under the tree, for me🎶

Well, I never! I always thought it was "slip a sabel under the tree". As in, a sabel fur Blush
Tashface · 09/12/2020 05:59

I've just googled the lyrics and it is a sabel Grin

Tashface · 09/12/2020 06:01

But spelt "sable" Blush

I will shut up now.

Housewife2010 · 09/12/2020 06:10

That is how you spell sable.

Oldsu · 09/12/2020 06:27

Both DH and I were brought up to say Father Christmas he is 71 and I am 65 and both from the South of England if that's anything to do with it

TheresSnowHelpForUs · 09/12/2020 06:30

Because calling anyone Father just makes me feel like I'm in church!

evilharpy · 09/12/2020 07:23

@WinWinnieTheWay

A lot of you have read into this an insult that isn't intended. I said that DH and I were brought up in different social class and different countries, but still used FC. I had no idea it was so contentious, I just can't work out the geographic divide. When I was little Santa was only heard on TV.
It'll be the "each to their own, but I don't like it" that's got people's backs up (unsurprisingly).
wonkschops · 09/12/2020 07:26
  • Father Christmas who comes down the chimney and delivers presents. Santa Claus seems to be his more commercial persona (shopping centre appearances,*

Maybe it's a Beyoncé, Sasha Fierce thing!

Steroidsandantidepressants · 09/12/2020 07:29

@CherryPavlova why is Santa Claus horrible?

I’ve been brought up with Santa, but I would never be so small minded and judgemental as to say Father Christmas was horrible. So I’m interested to know why you think it’s horrible?

Hovverry · 09/12/2020 07:34

Creeping Americanisation but others don’t even notice or care.
School toilets becoming Bathrooms, pupils called Students, the head called the Principal, tests called Quizzes.
Don’t you wince at a puppy ‘going potty’, doll house’, ‘dress up’?

Mrsjayy · 09/12/2020 07:37

Thats all for another day @Hovvery

wellthatsunusual · 09/12/2020 07:39

How can it possibly be a creeping Americanisation to the large swathes of the population who used it long before there was any American influence on our culture?

Steroidsandantidepressants · 09/12/2020 07:40

My gran would be exactly 100 this year.

She was Scottish and it was always Santa.

In northern Ireland, it’s Santa.

My Dublin born friend calls him Santy.

It isn’t an American import, any more than Halloween is.

speakout · 09/12/2020 07:43

Steroidsandantidepressants

Exactly. Another scot here-my grandmother would have been 128 year lol- always talked of Santa- I too am Scottish.

Santa was exported from Ireland and Scotland to America by settlers.

naptimeismyhappytime · 09/12/2020 07:53

Another Scot who has always said Santa and only knows English people that say Father Christmas! My gran was a terrible snob but even she said Santa!

speakout · 09/12/2020 08:07

Agreed.

Growing up in Scotland I only ever heard "Father Christmas" on the TV- spoken by english people.
No one said it around me.

Steroidsandantidepressants · 09/12/2020 08:11

I actually have a real problem with being told that the language I use is “horrible”.

Sorry but I do. It’s designed to other and exclude me, make me feel lesser and it’s harassment. The Halloween turnip. The it’s an Americanism. The don’t dare say haitch it’s common. Along with the ubiquitous “my child had a paddy” it contributes to making me feel unwelcome here.

It would be really nice if mumsnet could talk to posters from Ireland and the Celtic nations of the uk and come up with some kind of policy around not tolerating this kind of undertone of racism.

CockleburIck · 09/12/2020 08:11

You know when Scotland/Ireland/Wales complain about the loss of their language to the English...this is the same

Absolutely ridiculous and ignorant comment. Read a fucking history book.

Steroidsandantidepressants · 09/12/2020 08:13

And we lost,out language to the English because they conquered us and banned our language.

In the case of the Irish they banished us to areas that were considered non civilised and our language was driven to almost extinction.

Steroidsandantidepressants · 09/12/2020 08:15

*lost our

Although, we lost out as well.