Help please RE: Father Christmas...

[MTWTFSS]

We do not celebrate Christmas, yet my son goes to a nursery where many people do celebrate Christmas. How do I explain to my son Father Christmas doesn't come to our house without telling him he simply doesn't exist?

I 100% do not want to ruin it for the other children! :(

It's hard to advise without knowing why you don't celebrate. If it's because you celebrate another religious festival then the best thing might be just to explain more about that one & say that Father Christmas is for other religious groups?

I suppose that could still apply as the explanation anyway, as long as you don't identify as Christian you could just explain that as it is a Christian festival & as you're not Christian that he won't visit you?
The only problem I see is that a lot of people who aren't Christian still celebrate so it could worry some of the children at nursery if their parents also aren't Christian.

Would it hurt to let him come with a small gift? You don't need to really "celebrate" Xmas to do that? My small daughter has joined in with elements of other religious festivals at home (and Father Christmas really isn't religious!), within the context of very much knowing that its not a part of her faith, but fun whilst educating her about the customs and traditions of her peers

Is there another occasion that you can swap it with?

They have Santa but we have Jesus every Sunday? Or we have Hanukkah?

What is your 'problem' with Santa and we can help you adapt your argument?

Watching with interest as we do celebrate Christmas, but live in a culture where, although they also celebrate Christmas, they don't have Father Christmas but another figure who I don't really want to incorporate into our traditions...

I plan to say something like Olentzero visits Basque Children and FC visits us. But obviously that wouldn't work for you. I do think you need an alternative to present...

It would be easy to explain if you have a different religion, just say some people have FC and you have whatever it is you have.

if you can't do a 'swap' how about something like;

"we had a meeting with FC and whilst you've been very good this year, we thought you have plenty of toys and other children aren't so lucky so we knew you'd be thrilled to help less fortunate children by letting them have your share..." yadda yadda age appropriate version for your DC

What's wrong with telling your son that Father Christmas is a story that some other people enjoy but isn't a part of your traditions? That's what we told our children (although we do celebrate Christmas) and I'm not aware that they ever upset any other children, as we told them that it was an important belief to other people and should be respected.

Are you religious OP?

Christmas is a very important secular festival in the UK, most people who celebrate it are not christian, and no-where in the bible is santa, stockings or reindeer mentioned.

My christmas has nothing to do with god or jesus.

If you have another faith then I can understand you not wanting to embrace the christian aspect.

Not all christians approve of santa anyway. My family are pentacostal baptists and although celebrtae christmas in a very religious way don't use santa, stockings trees etc as icons. In some christian groups these symbols are considered pagan.