Santa vs father Christmas

[Blinkingheckythump]

I know it's totally unimportant and hence iabu but it really irks me that everything seems to be santa these days and not father Christmas. It was always father Christmas when I was growing up. I miss it! Why has it changed over time? I say father Christmas to the kids but they hear santa everywhere else so usually say santa themselves. Am I being unreasonable in wishing it was still father Christmas?!

Incase it needs clarifying, this is very lighthearted. I'm aware it's not really an issue

@Puffalicious @MindyStClaire it's a lovely nursery that's very relaxed about everything else so it really took me by surprise! Tempted to return after the Christmas break and make small talk with the staff by asking if their children enjoyed their presents from Santa.

I've always said Father Christmas. But my two year old has no idea who that is. Thanks to Stick Man, he knows exactly who Santa is though!

This is interesting to see how both names have changed in popularity.

I had a working class, northern, catholic upbringing and I say FC.

This thread is so ridiculous I can't believe I am commenting.

@Albgo

I've always said Father Christmas. But my two year old has no idea who that is. Thanks to Stick Man, he knows exactly who Santa is though!

Which is funny when JD lives in the heart of the Father Christmas territories.

Was always FC when I was a kid but now it seems to be Santa everywhere for some reason.

Middle class NE Catholic -Santa/Santy

Father Christmas was for people who said “mum” and “bread roll” and “scone” instead of “scone”. Same as the people who pretend guising was never a thing because they personally didn’t spend 3 weeks every October dragging a scorched turnip around the street whilst dressed in a bin liner.

dragging a scorched turnip around the street whilst dressed in a bin liner.

Who wouldn't want to do that?!

Father Christmas for me.
Yorkshire
Born here and lived here, and always been FC. Upbringing was definitely not posh, very much WC, so very much not a class issue.

A lot of the children at school, in similar Yorkshire area, say Santa these days. Although I know the Scotland and Ireland link I suspect the main reason for the change round here will be an arrival TV influence.

I still say FC, as to keep that's who he is. 19y Dd also says FC.

Def Santa growing up in 60s and 70s in West Scotland

dragging a scorched turnip around the street whilst dressed in a bin liner

There is no smell quite like the smell of damp turnip burnt by a candle.

@dementedpixie

Always been Santa where I am in Scotland

This.

Every year.

Is there a repeating event function on MN? Could we get one?

@Hospedia

dragging a scorched turnip around the street whilst dressed in a bin liner

There is no smell quite like the smell of damp turnip burnt by a candle.

Ha ha!

It’s one of those smells you can’t forget!

I had exactly that thought too this week OP. When we were very little, we called him Daddy Christmas

@Hospedia

dragging a scorched turnip around the street whilst dressed in a bin liner

There is no smell quite like the smell of damp turnip burnt by a candle.

Yup!

Brings back memories.

Just to confuse matters, the English call turnips “swedes”. And they call swedes “turnips”. Everyone knows turnips are big and orange. Clearly never looked at a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties!

Here in America, we call turnips "turnips." And we call swedes "rutabagas."

Is it an age thing? I’m in my sixties and it’s Father Christmas for me, my adult DD use bothFather Christmas and Santa but I’ve recently realised the DGC say Santa.

@MaskingForIt

It’s just a signifier of class in England. MC or UMC say Father Christmas, WC or LMC say Santa.

I disagree, I'm WC and have only ever lived on council estates. I say Father Christmas, (although I also use Santa sometimes too) and I hear FC regularly from other parents at the school gates in our deprived WC area. I've never really thought about it tbh and I don't understand why people are so bothered about what terms and phrases sound "MC" or "WC" 🤷🏽‍♀️

@sophiasnail

I had exactly that thought too this week OP. When we were very little, we called him Daddy Christmas

That's really sweet, Daddy Christmas ☺️

I think it just depends on what you grew up with. Lots of posters saying "it's always been Santa" and lots of others saying "it's Father Christmas" it varies from family to family and that's ok, he does the same job no matter what you call him 😉

To me "Father Christmas" does not sound more cuddly and benign than "Santa Claus." Father Christmas sounds like someone who would call you into his Victorian study to lecture you about your misdeeds. But then, I'm American so it's Santa all the way.

It’s always been Father Christmas in my family. Santa makes me cringe but that’s only because of how DH’s relations pronounce it - without the t - rendering it an ugly butchered sound as they seem to do most words.
Sa

I’m extremely fancy 💁🏻‍♀️ And I say SAAANNNNTTTTTAAAAAA because I’m young and, you know, American influence on tv etc. I’d never in my life heard before this thread that people associate it with class 😆🤷🏻‍♀️🤪