To think that only posh people say Father Christmas?!

[charliesp]

And everyone else says Santa?

I say Santa but my posh DH and all his family and posh friends say Father Christmas.

Anyone else noticed this? Or AIBU?

Sounds plausible.

YABU I might qualify as Middle Class now but my parents weren't and we always said Father Christmas.

I wonder if the difference in England vs Scotland/Ireland was due to Santa ( St Nicholas) being more readily adopted by Roman Catholics or Dutch origin Protestants whereas English Protestants weirdly were more willing to hark back to a pre puritan pagan tradition, but I don't know for certain.

Agree with pp I thought Father Christmas was just the English term.

X post with Celebelly.

Yes, I think the religious explanation makes sense.

I’m working class, in my early 30s and Father Christmas was the norm for me and everyone I knew when I was growing up.

Santa is just yet more Americanisation of British culture.

I prefer to say neither but if pressed it would be Father Christmas. Bah humbug to Santa!

In Ireland - we always said Santy (now more Santa due to TV) my Dh & family (English not posh) say father Christmas. Dh says Santa now!

Santa is just yet more Americanisation of British culture.

Such an arrogant and ignorant response

@Pantalaimon88 read the thread for goodness sake. No it's not.

I don't see how it's an American influence since it was always Santy/Santa claus here in Ireland. Even in my mother's day & she's 75!

Santa is just yet more Americanisation of British culture

It's not. It is Scottish/Irish/Northumbrian.

It's always been Father Christmas, Santa is American. My kids flip between the two but they were raised in the USA until they were primary school aged

Santa is just yet more Americanisation of British culture. Oh for the LOVE of God ...

I hate the word Santa too, I can suffer Santa Claus, but prefer Father Christmas.
I guess I’ve overheard people squawking about Santa, and it puts you off.
My parents probably said Father Christmas.
( I’ve never had a Santa stop here sign, apart from it being tacky, it has Santa written on it 😀)

Interesting lists here:

New-U

Eating bread

Having a job

Drinking at lunch

Pepto-Bismol

Champagne

Loving your parents

Buying newspapers

Eating sweets

Politeness

Xanax

Taking a centrist view

EasyJet

The North

Athens

Having a driver

Turning at a dinner party

Being faithful

Living in central London

Audiobooks

Having a much older best friend

Reading books

Gout

Astrology

SodaStreams

Yorkshire Tea

Fried eggs

Sweden

Knowing about plants

Nicknames

Perudo

Asking questions during a conversation

Saying no

Non–U

Dietary requirements

The word ‘posh’

Public displays of abstinence

Mouthwash

Most white wine

Being friends with your parents

Facebook

Elaborate gin and tonics

Talking about yourself

Tissues

Jacob Rees-Mogg

British Airways

The South-East

France (except Paris)

Wearing make-up outside London

Dips

Trophy spouses

Windsor

Tinder

Social climbing

iPads

Cryogenic freezing

Supplements

Soho Farmhouse

Air freshener

Cortados

Fruit in plastic

Knowing about yachts

Three-day weddings in Burma

I don't see how it's an American influence since it was always Santy/Santa claus here in Ireland. Even in my mother's day & she's 75!

Yeah, I was having a look on google and I came across a child's letter to Santa someone had found that was 105 years old (In Ireland as well )

I think some people have difficulties with basic reading comprehension.

North east England here and it's generally always Santa

This thread is giving me “The Rage”. Please RTFT. I’ve been on Mumsnet for about 17 years and this is the thread that’s made me most angry.
If one more person mentions America...😡...

Rant over 😀

Apparently I'm posh.

I say
Father Christmas
Napkin.

Hate the word Lounge.

I grew up in a council house.

It was always Santa/Santy when I grew up in a NE pit village from the late 60s/early 70s. I never personally heard anyone call him Father Christmas. The idea that it's a recent American import (much like Halloween) is bullshit and anyone who thinks that is a raging snob.