DS wants Father Christmas to leave us presents

[Mangerfield]

DS is 6 and I think has been a bit suspicious about Father Christmas (he is bright, scientifically minded and likes to test theories...). Fairly sure last year he said FC was just 'you and dad'...

He's very enthusiastic about Christmas - already can't sleep as too excited - and the other day made 'stockings' for me and DH and put up signs around the house directing Santa to our room. He says he's really sad that grownups don't get presents from Santa (in our house Santa just brings stocking presents) and he really wants us to have presents too.

I've explained that as adults we basically can just buy ourselves what we want if we fancy it but children can't hence Santa is all about gift-giving. And that there'd be presents under the tree for us from our family. Last time I explained we wouldn't be having stocking presents he got really upset - it's possibly partly to do with this being a little 'test' to see what Santa's limits are, and he's determined to carry it out! (He even put out his stocking the other night without telling us....)

Should I put something boring in our own 'stockings' or just keep explaining and let him come to his own conclusions? I'm generally against complicating the myth anyway, none of this 'special key' or fake boot prints or anything.

We always used to have a family present from Santa under the tree, usually something like a game or jigsaw that we could all do together. Still do this even though DC is a teenager!

Personally I would wrap stuff up and put it in the adult stocking but things from around the house that he doesn't necessarily twig so box of stuffing mix, some chocolates, a orange, some potatoes, unopened shower gel etc and then say oh look well santa knew mummy and daddy are cooking a special meal today.

He’s not the boss of Father Christmas! 😂
Just leave any stockings left out for you empty and shrug when he asks about it. Nowt to do with you!

'Santa only brings presents for children'

Everyone in this house gets a stocking from santa - even the dog and definitely the grownups. once they didn't believe any more it was a nice way to keep up the tradition. mostly funny things/mugs/stockings etc. tbh I think I'd be sad if I didn't get an orange and a bar of chocolate in my christmas stocking - and I'm old and have to put them in myself.

No complications in the standard comment that Santa only gives to children. Tell him you are not sad about that as you had many years of being a child.
It sounds like he is a bright enough boy to join the dots and reach his own conclusions.

Adults get a stocking in our house.
A tangerine, chocolate and a Christmas beer.

I’ve told my DCs FC dosnt leave us presents because we had our turn when we’re kids, it’s their turn now, us grown ups are just happy that our DCs are happy.

But if he really wants it, what’s the harm in putting a paid of socks or something in a stocking.

No don't do that or you're setting yourself up for even more complications.

Father Christmas brings for children.

Get some books about original Saint Nicholas (German I think?) Age appropriate of course. Or tell him the story. Why he decided to give presents to the children.

Actually Google tells me this so definitely keep age appropriate!

'Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, unmarried people, and students in various cities and countries around Europe.'

My kids are always asking if daddy and I will get a stocking. I just tell them we're on the naughty list.

Could someone with unfamiliar writing do a note for your stockings? I'm thinking along the lines if "nice try Mangerfield, but I know you're a grown up! As it's Christmas I'll leave you this (small token thing like a satsuma or mini wine) but you didn't fool me! Merry Christmas, love Santa."

Scrap that, just seen you aren't into perpetuating the myth with props. Sorry OP.

In our house Santa bring stockings for all. Adults just get the nice treats we would have bought to eat/use for Xmas anyway. Bubble baths, nice chocolates, chutneys, small practical things we need anyway.

Doesn't the fact that Santa's modus operandi can be changed according to DS's demands support his theory?

I've always dealt with any issues by saying "he's real if you believe he is". DS2 "believed" until he was 13, far too much risk he might stop coming if he didn't

I should say my mum still makes me a stocking and i love it! But in past years I've avoided opening it in front of ds in case it raised difficult questions I've told him this year that grandma makes me a stocking so Santa doesn't need to bring me anything...

Scout actually ds would love that...

Blind him with science. There are 7 billion people on this planet, does he honestly think even Santa could get to all of them? Calculate the speed at which he would have to travel etc. So it's kids only, which you think is fair because it means we all get a turn.

Or, I find "I don't know" quite a helpful response. There are a gazillion different tweaks in the ways different families do Christmas - it's not your job to know and understand every detail, any more than it's your job to know every detail of how nuclear reactors or rockets work.

'Santa brings toys for children, we dont need toys and if we took them another child wouldnt get any'

seems simply enough