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Original poster

What should come from Father Christmas?

43 replies

Ponderingwindow · 10/12/2022 16:59

dd is a teen and not a believer, but we assured her that she would always get a gift from fc as long as she was a kid. It’s just a fun thing we do for Christmas. Normally, there are a couple of nicer gifts that we are giving and I have fc give whichever one is largest physically because it doesn’t fit well under the tree ahead of time.

this year she is getting one ridiculously expensive gift and then a few little things that are either glorified stocking stuffers or that I would have just bought her as day to day items but I saved them so she would have things to unwrap.

So my dilemma is should the much desired expensive present be from fc and thus the first thing she opens after we do stockings, or should I have fc bring her something really quite lame so that I can tuck the amazing present at the back of the pile for the very last gift?

OP posts:
MandaLynn · 10/12/2022 17:05

I'd have the main present from "Santa" as she's a teen and knows it's really from you.

Y7drama · 10/12/2022 17:05

Does she know she’s getting it? If not, I’d definitely hide it at the back.

underneaththeash · 10/12/2022 17:06

Main presents here always come from us.

Athenen0ctua · 10/12/2022 17:09

If you have young children who believe in FC present then give her one to equivalent value or less than theirs. Otherwise it doesn't really matter.

Potcallingkettle · 10/12/2022 17:09

Main presents from us. Santa has only ever brought a stocking of small things. Still comes even now DC are at uni. Nowadays it’s like a care package - socks, bath stuff, chocolate, etc. It used to have small toys and books.

DisforDarkChocolate · 10/12/2022 17:11

If I had young children now it would be the stocking that's came from Father Christmas only. Much more manageable.

AlwaysLatte · 10/12/2022 17:11

We've always had the stockings only from Father Christmas.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 10/12/2022 17:47

Santa always brought the lot from us so now they are older we give them everything.

00100001 · 10/12/2022 18:56

It doesn't matter if she's a teen.

But I'd say from FC in order to give the impression it's a special gift that isn't ordinary present.

So, if you're getting her something incredible like e a MacBook or new phone or tickets to somewhere or whatever... That's a FC present.

Iamblossom · 10/12/2022 19:11

Stockings are from FC everything else under the tree from DH and I

Original poster
Ponderingwindow · 10/12/2022 20:08

No other kids.

I think my dilemma is that it is special so seems like a FC type gift.

however, every other gift is going to pale so much in comparison that I see the value in saving it for last.

she strongly suspects she is getting this gift. She doesn’t know that we bought her the top of the line version of the item and should be shocked by that.

so does she open a gift like a pack of paper and couple of drawing pens from FC or does she open something that might make her hyperventilate and then have to wait to explore it while she opens gifts like paper and pens in alternating turns with DH and I opening gifts?

OP posts:
Noimaginationforaun · 10/12/2022 20:10

We do all presents from Father Christmas but our DS is only 3. If it’s your teen, I’d say save the big surprise until last? The big build up?

iwannascream · 10/12/2022 20:15

Father Christmas brings the gifts but mum and dad pays for them, that way we can explain not getting eberythkng they want as not enough money.

I have done this for both mine 12 years apart in age and it was much easier than having a melt down on Xmas day.

NeverTooLateToSing · 10/12/2022 20:18

Stockings only from FC with us. All other presents from named family. When I was a kid, my Mum heard me telling someone that FC had given me some lovely presents, but I'd had nothing from my Mum. My hard-working single Mum. So I decided from the off when I had kids that FC would only do the fun stockings, and everything else from real people!

Original poster
Ponderingwindow · 10/12/2022 20:29

Just to be clear, we won’t be changing our routine. I know some people only have FC bring stockings . He brings a gift to our house. That is our tradition.

OP posts:
elQuintoConyo · 10/12/2022 20:35

Everything from FC except gifts from other people.

DD is now 11yo and a non-believer for the last couple of years. Now nothing is from FC, everything is from us. She's 100% fine with that. She still loves Xmas - lights, tree, long holiday, Xmas food, carols etc. Gifts are icing on the cake.

Goneback2school · 10/12/2022 20:37

I'd have the amazing present be the last one she opened..let the anticipation build up as she works her way through.

pimlicoanna · 10/12/2022 20:39

Only the stocking is from Santa

Athenen0ctua · 10/12/2022 21:23

I'd put the smaller things, or some of them like food items or toiletries if there are a lot, together in a hamper of sorts from FC. Then it's still one thing from FC.

Stomacharmeleon · 10/12/2022 21:30

All big presents from Father Christmas and mine are 25,21 and 18.
Stockings are from me :)
Does it really matter if an imaginary entity gets the credit?
I never get why people get so arsey on here about someone else getting the credit :/

Athenen0ctua · 10/12/2022 21:39

Does it really matter if an imaginary entity gets the credit?
When they are young and believe then they may tell other children that FC got them a games console or brand new bike when other children get a stocking. I think a stocking or one reasonably priced present creates more of a level playing field for parents.

Craftybodger · 10/12/2022 21:44

Father Christmas fills the stocking. It’s wrapped in different paper than any we have at home. He brings things that parents wouldn’t buy and lots of small day to day things, shower gel, underwear etc. Nothing big ticket comes from him. Family and friends give presents. Big tickets things come from parents and grand parents, sometimes together. So Father Christmas would bring stationery but under the tree would be electronic or tech gifts.
Stocking opened in the morning, presents from under the tree after the 3pm speech.

Stomacharmeleon · 10/12/2022 21:52

@Athenen0ctua when has life ever been a level playing field?
They has never been a better time to use the phrase ' you do you'
Comparison is the thief of joy....

KateBain · 10/12/2022 21:57

this year she is getting one ridiculously expensive gift

What is it?

Athenen0ctua · 10/12/2022 21:57

Stomacharmeleon · 10/12/2022 21:52

@Athenen0ctua when has life ever been a level playing field?
They has never been a better time to use the phrase ' you do you'
Comparison is the thief of joy....

It isn't, that's the point. But there are things people can do to make it easier for others. So children aren't told that they must have been 'naughty' by another child like mine was once when he was little.

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