Please help me win the argument I have with DH *every year* about Father Christmas

[HuevosRancheros]

So, DH says that FC brings all presents. Even those from family and friends. I am a bit about this, as family and friends get no thanks. (well, they do, from us, of course, but that's not the same imo)

I think that FC brings the stocking and some presents, but that family and friends give presents too.

His argument, and I do get it, is that it doesn't make sense to a 5 year old that FC would bring some presents off the list, but that we and GPs get others. Also, FC leaves the non-stocking presents under the tree. How could family leave them there too?
(I really like coming down on Christmas morning to a tree with presents underneath, when there were none there the night before)
But I want DCs to show appreciation for the presents they get and say thank you, not so much to me and DH, but to others.

So, what does FC get in your house? And how do you explain to your DC why he brings some and you buy others?

I should say, DH is convinced that DD (5) will think about it too much and start to doubt FC's existence. Which would be sad, for us.

I think this is the final year we have the chance to 'change' the FC tradition... DD will question why FC has changed what he does next year!

I'm with you OP, FC brings stuff in pillowcase/stocking. Other presents are from whoever they are from! As someone else said, FC knows what parents have bought and gets the other stuff on the list.

In our house Santa brings presents and they are also from mummy and daddy as obviously we work closely with Santa!

But all other presents from family members/friends all come from them. I like my girls to learn that they have to thank people for the gifts that they have taken the time to choose for them.

It just makes me very sad and also a bit [shocked] when I hear grown adults be moaning that FC gets all the thanks for gifts they have picked out

It's not about getting thanks, it's all about sharing the joy of giving and receiving with family.

It's lovely for DC to pick out something they know Auntie Louise really could do with - last year they clubbed together and got her a hot wheat bag for her backache - or something they know their brother/sister would really like, AND to also have the joy of knowing that they have family members who care enough to choose gifts for them. That for us and our family is what it's all about.

If questions are asked about santa rather than go into really long stories, I tend to say something like 'it's magic no-one really knows how it works, how do you think he does it?'

What??

FC brings the stockings only here. Not the big/individual stuff. You can't tell me he's just a glorified post man!

Believe me it makes it so much less traumatic as they get older. No " but if I don't believe I'll get no present" wibbles and they are happy to keep the fun and magic of a silly stocking from FC even as almost grown ups.

In our house Father Christmas delivers all the presents but mummy and daddy can send him presents to deliver too. For example when I take the dc to buy presents for each other, I will help them to wrap them, then we'll leave them by the fireplace and they are magically taken to Father Christmas while we are asleep and delivered on Christmas eve/morning. Remember, he is supposed to be magic so u can explain most things away by just saying that, for Eg. I don't know he gets down the chimney when the fire is lit, he's magic.

I may be childish probably, but there is no way I would give presents to anyone to be put into the "Santa"" pile. Finance your own kid's Christmas!

Some of our friends and family 'choose' presents for Father Christmas to bring. He chooses the rest!! x

DH had a similar thing in his home growing up. I thought it was totally weird & so we do it my way for our DC! DC write letters to FC with no more than 10 items on it. Family & friends pick items off it of they want ideas of what to buy, FC and us buy the rest. FC usually brings a stocking of small bits and sack full each of bigger stuff. We put under the tree a large item each for them. Presents are put under the tree as they are received. The boys love looking at/squeezing them in the lead up to Chrismas Day and adds to the anticipation!

OP Just LOVE that you are calling him "Father Christmas" not Santa.

I think DH's parents did it that way cos money was very tight, and that way they still had lots of presents delivered by Santa. Buy it did mean they never ever thanked their grandparents/family for presents, which I think is appalling. I would be very annoyed if I found out the presents I had spent time and money choosing and wrapping for nieces/nephews/godchildren etc were being included as Santa's presents and the children had no idea it was from me!