I just don't understand how you can explain that Father Christmas only brings the stocking when:

[bytheMoonlight]

1. Many Christmas books and films show the elves making presents of all sizes. Don't the children question why they are making big toys when Father Christmas doesn't deliver these?

1. Children write letters to Father Christmas which contain requests for big presents. Don't they find this strange when they know big/main presents come from parents and family.

DD is almost three and this is the first year we have talked about Father Christmas and I want to be able to answer all her questions as she gets older. The thing that gave the game with me as a child was that my mum was so inconsistent with details and I want dd to believe as long as possible

Mine just get stockings from father Christmas - we tell them it's because they are lucky enough to have us who can buy them big presents. He also leaves things like cookie crisp cereal for breakfast which they know I never buy so that makes them happy.

Stocking, one big present and a few odds and ends come from Father Christmas. Presents from family/friends are labelled as such so that 'thank you's' aren't missed.

They get new pj's and a decoration for the tree on Christmas Eve from dh and I. Everyone is happy .

It's strange how the beliefs you held as children stick even into adulthood. Seems really bizarre to me that as a child you wouldn't get presents from your parents at Christmas, just Father Christmas. We were a stocking only family.

All the presents come from santa in our house - even ones from friends and family (unless someone happens to deliver one in front of kids) I don't see a problem with it - DDs are both still young enough not to question why we don't get them pressies- when they are they'll probably be too old for Santa anyway.

Thank-yous come from us - friends and family know this is the way we work (worked the same in DPs family when they were wee)

A quick question for the santa brings all our presents camp? Do your children buy presents for each other? Surely you can't pretend they come from FC too?

Stockings only from FC in this house (not that either DC believe). I'd be a bit miffed to give someone's child a present and get no thanks. Also too much potential to lead into difficult conversations about why some child in school has better/more presents and why some might get nothing. What do you say to that? Father Christmas values some more than others? Bizarre.

It's stockings only from FC here. May contain one modest asked for toy (max a tenner). Or not. I thought of this as recession-proofing Xmas. But also to curb the excess in terms of expectation.

Proper presents from real people. We exchange gifts. The kids give us, and their siblings small presents too. How does that work in all from Santa houses?

God, my Mil used to do a long drawn out story for dh when he was a kid, that his aunties, uncles etc would send their presents to Father Christmas, who would deliver them on Christmas Eve

She tried it on mine - gave them a stocking on Christmas day with all 'her side' of the family's presents in it, and said FC had left it at her house for them

Silly moo. Got short shrift for that.

We always did ours a stocking, with the main present from us under the tree with the family presents. Dh hands the family ones out individually, reading out the labels while wearing a top hat!

This is the first year my two don't believe. Feel a bit

All the presents in some people's houses are from FC? Even the ones clearly labelled "from Aunty Pam"? That's amazing and must make thank-you letters an odd experience.

FC does stockings here. OP - the films all contradict each other anyway, children pick and choose the bits that suit their famiy.

DD will be 3 after Christmas so this is really our first year. FC will bring stocking presents only. I don't think it's right that FC takes credit for pressies that family buy. He will also DHL a box on Christmas Eve with pyjamas etc in.

Sorry another question out of curiosity.

If Santa brings all the presents do your children open them in front of you? Stockings in this house can be opened on waking without parents present thus giving said parents a bit more sleep. Presents are then opened all together as a family.

FC only does the Christmas Sacks / Stockings here too. So in answer to your points...

1). DDs (6 and 3) know that books and films are fictional and not real. They know that films and books do not depict reality correctly. For example, on films it is always the 'real' father Christmas, but they know when they go to see FC, they do not see the 'real Father Christmas, but only his helper, because FC is far too busy getting the presents ready to do all of the Christmas Grottos!

2). My children don't ask for big things in their presents to FC. This year DD1 is asking for Nail polish. Last year she asked him for some Dry Roasted Peanuts. The year before she asked him for a cardboard box! She asks me for her big presents and asks FC for a few little things. That said, sometimes FC does stretch to a new Barbie.