to feel ambushed by a plethora of Santas

[FanjoKazooie]

AIBU to be irritated that my children can't leave the house in November / December without being ambushed by an assortment of random Santas.

Am particularly bah humbugish about the surprise ones that are sprung on my children without warning by schools and playgroups (or grandparents on days out, grrrrr). I know their intentions are all warm and cuddly but really I want my children to feel the full magical effect of meeting THE ONE AND ONLY REAL SANTA at Christmas (who we all know only visits Chester Zoo).

YANBU I was totally gutted when my parents took my DD aged 2 to see Father Christmas "as a nice surprise" before I got the chance to . Was not a nice surprise for me.

I was watching on the news about the Santa Run they have every year, and was a bit surprised to see a back shot of <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mainSD3661403%40PO28SANTA_6.jpg&imgrefurl=www.shropshirestar.com/pictures/2010/11/29/mankini-wearer-braves-the-cold-for-newtown-santa-run/&usg=__XMKOxLOMiqWQ0HH4XMWespmNd4Q=&h=323&w=475&sz=122&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=kXcixaw2Z7F5NM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=194&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsanta%2Bin%2Bmankini%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1146%26bih%3D696%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=129&vpy=81&dur=1213&hovh=185&hovw=272&tx=173&ty=97&ei=NwT5TICDN8fLhAforNyoCQ&oei=KAT5TN27HdKGhQfe0s32CA&esq=4&page=1&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this blokes arse

Not sure how you'd explain to a tiny one about why Father Christmass helper feels the need to get his arse cheeks out wearing a mankini

AIBU to fancy your mankini Santa AgentZigzag?

Just whatever you do make sure you're not in Central London on 11 December:

santacon.info/

YANBU on that front (or backside) fanjo

YABU firstly because he isn't "Santa" and secondly because everyone knows that the real Father Christmas needs helpers who will stand in for him at playgroup and in dire shopping centre grottos.

Fanjo - bah humbug indeed!!!

Mind you, I am still reeling from last nights school Christmas fayre (read - cram every pupil, their siblings and parents into a hot hall and empty your pockets of cash as fast as you can). My floor is currently littered with mismatching jigsaws purchased last night, and they have been mercilessly trying to chew the rock hard tombola prize toffees since 7am.

You can be irritated, but you can't stop it. DS 1 has been chanting TWENTY ONE DAYS TO GO and DS2 ran past us and randomly squealed BETHLEHEM! at us.

Haaaa. Halelujah

YANBU - DS1 is going to a birthday party soon where there will be a santa! Why?

Am picturing that scene Tira!!!! Was your DS2 butt naked as he squealed 'Bethlehem' by any chance?

That is very annoying Caboodle. It's a bit like those situations where somebody else brings a birthday cake to your child's party. The intentions may be kind but you really would rather they didn't!

Fair enough webwiz, although I always think that 'Santa' is more authentic because of the whole St Nicholas / Sinterklaaus (sp?) origins. I do give the DC the 'helper' explanation but it waters down the effect when you go to the real grotto, and the kids have already been through the same rigmarole with 3 'helpers' in the last month!

I know Fanjo - would rather he didn't go but he is old enough to realise he has been invited and the rest of the class are going. Didn't know about the Sinterklaus thing - will look it up and stop being so judgy about it being Father Christmas