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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that only posh people say Father Christmas?!

999 replies

charliesp · 05/12/2019 12:20

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?

OP posts:
Debinaround · 05/12/2019 21:07

I'm another one from the North East who says Santa. I don't really hear many people calling the big man Father Christmas where I live. My mam was born in 1947 and called him Santa. My nana was born in 1928 and called him Santa or santy (are you excited for santy coming our Deb?Xmas Grin) so it's nothing new. We are all working class.

Does anyone remember a thread like this one Christmas where a poster discovered that some people used to call him Captain Christmas? I loved that. Xmas Grin

YouFellAsleeep · 05/12/2019 21:07

This thread is brilliant. Every other comment is from some ignorant English poster who thinks “Santa” is American and they’re right saying “Father Christmas”.

I don’t understand how Scottish and Irish people are aware Santa is called something different in different parts of the UK, but English people seem completely unaware of this.

SleighOfSparkliness · 05/12/2019 21:15

PineappleDanish

Interesting article, thank you. I was already thinking of the joyous Ghost of Christmas Present in his green robe!

SpiderCharlotte · 05/12/2019 21:16

I don’t understand how Scottish and Irish people are aware Santa is called something different in different parts of the UK, but English people seem completely unaware of this.

Me neither? What's going on?? 😂😂

cushioncovers · 05/12/2019 21:24

Yabu when I was growing up Father Christmas was British and Santa was American.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 05/12/2019 21:24

I sat Father Christmas, but there's a good mix of Santa and Sion Corn here too...

SlightlyStaleCocoPops · 05/12/2019 21:38

"I don’t understand how Scottish and Irish people are aware Santa is called something different in different parts of the UK, but English people seem completely unaware of this."

It's almost like we're heavily exposed to another country's culture. A bit like England and American culture...

Emmacb82 · 05/12/2019 21:41

I’m not posh but have always said Father Christmas. I really dislike Santa and last year my little boy was confused when everyone kept asking about Santa because he didn’t know who he was! I especially love Father Christmas now because my 3 year old calls him Farmer Christmas 😊

Dieu · 05/12/2019 21:47

Santa is definitely more common here in Scotland. And yes, only posh people would say FC. So YANBU ... and Happy Christmas! Xmas Smile

cukooboo · 05/12/2019 21:48

I really dislike Santa

Why?

Venger · 05/12/2019 21:50

I really dislike Santa

Bit harsh. I've only ever heard him say good things about you.

Dandelion1993 · 05/12/2019 21:50

I say Santa Clause.

I hate the phrase father Christmas. It's something that where I am (SE/Kent), the more working class people say. They also say it 'farva Chrissmas' which makes me hate it even more.

weebarra · 05/12/2019 21:51

I was completely unaware that English people called the big man Father Christmas.
He's Santa, because I'm scottish.

Laughterisbest · 05/12/2019 21:52

cushioncovers

You must be deliberately stirring, at least I hope so.

Or maybe you could read the 600 plus posts preceding yours, many of which are pointing out that Father Christmas is not used in all parts of Britain (or the UK), wasn't when you were growing up and never has been.

bluechairs · 05/12/2019 22:08

I've always thought Santa is Americanised. My dad was so poor growing up that he had to steal food and my mum shared a two bedroom with 5 siblings but they both always said Father Christmas because that's what the English say.

ilovetinsel · 05/12/2019 22:17

Erm santa is really american op.
FC is more english.
Biscuit

wotsittoyou · 05/12/2019 22:20

YABU. I grew up rough-as-fuck in the North-West and we all used 'Father Christmas'.

SquareSausages · 05/12/2019 22:21

@ilovetinsel

Genuinely not sure if that's a joke or not.

CareOfPunts · 05/12/2019 22:24

I’ve always just thought of FC as an English term. I’m Scottish and not a kick in the arse off 50 and he’s always been Santa even when I was a little girl. What I can’t stand is when people on fb/forums etc insist that FC is the only correct way and Santa is American

JaceLancs · 05/12/2019 22:26

North west working class - Father Christmas here too

CareOfPunts · 05/12/2019 22:26

And I haven’t read all 26 pages sorry Xmas Smile

ChilliMayo · 05/12/2019 22:26

In Sarf Lundun we say Farver Christmas and we ain't posh.

ilovetinsel · 05/12/2019 22:27

LOL @SquareSausages really honestly truly... Santa sounds very american to me 🤷‍♀️

Like the whole coca-cola thing... 🤷🏻‍♀️

BellatrixLestat · 05/12/2019 22:29

We have always said Father Christmas, not posh.

However, my kids now say Santa. Mainly because when my eldest was around 2 at Christmas she couldn't get round the difference between Christmas and Father Christmas so we just said Santa as it was easier for her to distinguish the two.

youllhavehadyourtea · 05/12/2019 22:29

I can't believe I've read all 26 pages of this.

FWIW here's my wee contribution: When I was a wee girl my grandad used to say to me 'was Santa guid to you?' My granpaw was born in 1901.

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