Father Christmas or Santa

[LetterFromLorah]

A random question!

Since I started watching CBeebies and other children's programmes a few years ago with my son, I've noticed there seems to be a preference for 'Father Christmas' rather than 'Santa'.

I would have been aware of the phrase Father Christmas as a child but we would never, ever have actually referred to Santa as anything other than 'Santa'. It sounds really strange to me to hear children on TV talk about 'Father Christmas'.

I'm from Northern Ireland so I'm wondering if this is a regional thing?

I'm curious as to what other people think?

Father Christmas, but hear a lot of Santa.

Mostly Santa, but often Father Christmas and Saint Nic as well for us.

I grew up in West yorkshire and it was Santa. Currently live in Wales and all my DC's friends call him santa as well.

It's regional. Typically, like Halloween, the English think Santa is "American", when it's just as British as Father Christmas, when you remember Britain is more than just England.

Santy is one that was new to me, but common in Liverpool, Ireland and Scotland.

Does it matter? It's not like he cares what we call him? (I'm in close contact! )

And also, Father Christmas wears a red fur lined dressing gown with a hood, but the American Santa wears a red fur lined trouser suit with a separate hat.

Always Father Christmas.

England has always been Father Christmas but Santa has crept in a lot over the years.

Santa is more common in Scotland, Ireland and America.

Does it matter? It's not like he cares what we call him? (I'm in close contact!

Of course it doesn't matter. But I couldn't help noticing because Father Christmas just sounds odd to my ear, especially when coming from little kids, so I was curious if it's a recent trend to move away from Santa or if it's regional. I suppose it's related to my interest in linguistics.

@Bedroomdilemma

It’s regional I think, Irish and Scottish say Santa, English say Father Christmas (and then try to say Santa is an American thing).

Exactly this

I wasn't criticising your interest, sorry! Regional variations are interesting.

It only annoys me if people make out regional variations are "wrong" instead of just variations, which make life interesting!

Welsh here. Santa Claus mostly, and I talk about the story of St Nicholas with my kids so they know where 'Santa' came from. Used to use Father Christmas as a kid but most of my school friends said Santa.

I think this sums up FC vs Santa:
*
Father Christmas* is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and normally considered to be synonymous with American culture's Santa Claus which is now known worldwide, he was originally part of an unrelated and much older English folkloricc_ tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for centuries before then.[2]

*I wasn't criticising your interest, sorry! Regional variations are interesting.

It only annoys me if people make out regional variations are "wrong" instead of just variations, which make life interesting!*

Oh no, it's fine! Sorry, didn't mean it to sound like I was being peevish! Totally agree about regional variations. Really fascinates me. And yes, there is no 'wrong' answer here. As long as he gets the presents delivered on time!

Welsh here. Santa Claus mostly, and I talk about the story of St Nicholas with my kids so they know where 'Santa' came from. Used to use Father Christmas as a kid but most of my school friends said Santa.

That's interesting - thank you!

Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and normally considered to be synonymous with American culture's Santa Claus which is now known worldwide, he was originally part of an unrelated and much older English folkloricc_ tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for centuries before then.*

Thanks for this! I'm going to have to research the English tradition of Father Christmas now - I'm a sucker for folklore as well!

@Peregrina

And also, Father Christmas wears a red fur lined dressing gown with a hood, but the American Santa wears a red fur lined trouser suit with a separate hat.

Ooh not according to book covers and photos of my children with FC. They all have a hat, with the odd exception.

I think hood might be more old fashioned/traditional?

I'm in SE England. We always said Father Christmas as children so my DC say FC too. Sometimes they will refer to him as Santa too but mainly FC. It just doesn't sound quite right to call him Santa to me!

LetterFromLorah My parents were very into folklore and tradition, and one of them was English which probably made a difference regarding what we called Santa/ FC. My Welsh grandparents always referred to FC as Santa.

Belfast here definitely Santa

My mum had a lovely book all about the Victorian Christmas. It explains where pretty much all our traditions come from. I may have to borrow it...

@Whichbitchiswitch - in the cartoon of Raymond Briggs Father Christmas as FC is looking through his letters with all the different names Pere Noel etc etc - he says 'It's just blooming old Father Christmas, really!'

I've noticed this too OP. We've always said Santa and we're also in Scotland!

Father Christmas evolved from the Green Man, a pagan figure representing winter and Yule time. He was often pictured in a cloak and with a full white beard. The first Father Christmases where pictured in green rather than red. I think the red crept in from American Santa and they've just all been mixed up into one these days.
I can understand how many Irish have a Santa, with the strong American connections.

As for what Father Christmas wears for me the Raymond Briggs Father Christmas is FC as I had the books growing up. So he is short and plump with a bushy white beard, red fur lined trouser suit with seperate hat and a bit grumpy! My DC are half Dutch so celebrate St.Nicklaas - we think of him as tall and slim with the robes and hood green and red.

Welsh childhood/mother and English father and it was always Father Christmas. My children always spoke about FC as well.

But the traditional Welsh figure is Sion Corn (translates as John Chimney Pot).

Father Christmas here. Devon.
Though my DD5 has recently began saying "Santa Christmas" so I think her Teacher/TAs use Santa.