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?

I say Father Christmas. I'm English though, I live in a different country now, the non native English speakers tend to say santa, but to me santa is American and I figured it was because they had been influenced by American movies.

Santa = St Nicholas (Santa Claus). Father Christmas was actually a different character from a far older tradition now commonly believed to be the same character and used interchangeably with Santa.
We use both (all three: Santa, Santa Claude and Father Christmas) even though we are aware of the differences.
Don’t think we’re posh.

I say Father Christmas (live in SE England)

When I was in Italy and little the baby Jesus bought Christmas presents and was in Christmassy story books. Santa/Father Christmas was only in American films. Must ask my cousins who brings presents now!

I grew up in New Zealand and said Father Christmas, but I haven’t heard anyone say it in years. I say Santa now.

I'm Irish and say santa.

My mum is working class English and says father Christmas

Santa just sounds so much lovelier. It makes one think of crisp deep snow and has more Christmassy connotations. Father Christmas sounds so ordinary, in comparison.

Mumsnet you cant slag off or dislike anything EXCEPT Americans/ American things

Raymond Briggs epitomizes mid 20c working class Englishness. Father Christmas it is then. English but not posh. I guess the difference is between Catholic and not. England dispensed with saints and the South was strongly anti Catholic well into 1800s, so less inclined towards a European Santa than others perhaps.

We always said FC as children (England) and thought SC was what Americans said - I loved American films and thought it very exotic but now want my children to say FC as that's what he was in my childhood. My dad is Irish and never said SC! I don't like the signs that say 'Santa stop here' however. Greedy!

Santa is saint. Doesn’t sound very American to me.

My DF is a geordie from proper working class roots (in his late 60s) and has always said FC, so definitely not just for southerners or "posh" people. DM also says FC and is from the south east and more middle class. We were raised to say FC unsurprisingly. So was my DH - he is northern too and his family working and middle class from the North West all day FC.

I think this debate comes up every year on Mn, it seems that class has nothing to do with it, it's more geographical and family tradition.

Santa is not just American, I've never heard anyone in Ireland every say Father Christmas

Ah yes @longwayoff Father Bloomin Christmas

I say Father Christmas and so do all of my family ( mid western Americans, never heard them say Santa ever ) my MIL ( aka Mrs Bucket ) says Santa.
H says both now !

ever*

I guess the difference is between Catholic and not. England dispensed with saints and the South was strongly anti Catholic well into 1800s, so less inclined towards a European Santa than others perhaps.

I think this is the most rational explanation.

My posh Grandma always said Santa Claus, her husband my less posh Grandpa said Daddy Ritmit
My not at all posh Grandma said Father Christmas.

Santa is American, Father Christmas is English.

I say both but grew up saying Father Christmas. Not posh!

Round here (South) it's always Santa.
Where I come from up north ist was always FC.
I think it is more regional than class.

Now I'm longing to read it @Trumpleton, I'm going to order a blooming copy. Blooming Merry Christmas to all

Norf london council estate here. Its father christmas. Or in my case Farver chrismuss.

As a child Father Christmas. As an adult and with children myself, Santa Claus, it derives from Sinter Klaus, meaning St Nicholas.

Northern working class and we've always said Santa, now my boys say Santa. I always just thought of it like a NN for Father Christmas, just easier to say! Really doesn't change anything what you call him .

I use both. Where does that put me?