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Original poster

What does Father Christmas bring UK

90 replies

Sallyh87 · 14/12/2022 22:30

Im not from the UK but have lived here for years and have a DD here. When I was little Santa brought all the big stuff but I’m getting impression from MumsNet in the UK Santa brings the stocking fillers.

This is the first year DD is conscious of Santa and gifts etc and I want to get it right! I want to set the precedent for years to come.

So in your opinion, what gifts is Santa responsible for?

OP posts:
TrashyPanda · 15/12/2022 09:14

Santa brings the stockings.
which only contain small, inexpensive things.

only ever met one person who did the “Santa brings everything” option.

NoDairyNoProblem · 15/12/2022 09:19

In our house Santa brings one gift (but never the wow gift) and fills your stocking.

Twixxed · 15/12/2022 09:23

Stockings here, some people do all of it though.

Londongent · 15/12/2022 10:52

When I was little we laid out sacks on Christmas Eve, and Santa brought all the presents (gifts from grandparents and relatives were separate). However, I remember being 4 and my mum buying me a Christmas present, which she said then went off to Santa to be delivered. That never made sense to me as it went against what I had been told before and what I knew about Santa.
So I am not sure I ever truly believed, but it was still a magical time.
Now we say to DD stocking and one main present comes from Santa, the rest from us and relatives. I never had a stocking when little but DW always did.
The main thing...keep it consistent.

TerraNostra · 15/12/2022 11:02

Hijacking this a bit, my DS mentioned something this morning that he'd like for Christmas. I said "Thing is that is very expensive" and he said "But we don't have to pay Santa for the presents he brings!"

We normally follow the model of stocking plus a few wrapped presents from Santa (value between £10 and £15) and one bigger present from us.

He's 6, but this is the first year he's asked for particular thing. It's a Nintendo Switch, no way on earth is he getting one. (And not because we can't afford it, the reason is that he is still far too young).

How do I deal with the inevitable disappointment when Santa doesn't bring what he asked for?

Fundays12 · 15/12/2022 11:16

Santa brings a sack of gifts and stocking in our house but mummy and daddy send money so Santa can pay for his elves houses and food etc. Santa doesn’t bring computers, iPads etc those are birthday gifts.

Fundays12 · 15/12/2022 11:17

TerraNostra · 15/12/2022 11:02

Hijacking this a bit, my DS mentioned something this morning that he'd like for Christmas. I said "Thing is that is very expensive" and he said "But we don't have to pay Santa for the presents he brings!"

We normally follow the model of stocking plus a few wrapped presents from Santa (value between £10 and £15) and one bigger present from us.

He's 6, but this is the first year he's asked for particular thing. It's a Nintendo Switch, no way on earth is he getting one. (And not because we can't afford it, the reason is that he is still far too young).

How do I deal with the inevitable disappointment when Santa doesn't bring what he asked for?

Ds1 did this I told him Santa doesn’t ever bring Nintendo’s etc and if he does to other people it’s because there mummy and daddy bought them and Santa wrapped them up to help. He accepted this.

RobinRobinMouse · 15/12/2022 11:17

@TerraNostra Here we'd just say that Father Christmas has a lot of children to buy for and doesn't really do electrical items. Everything else is explained by magic and that FC chooses gifts that he knows you will definitely love and play with the most.

user1483387154 · 15/12/2022 11:24

stocking fillers (chocolate, book, pocket money toys and games, nuts, satsuma, socks, gloves) and maybe 1 bigger toy.

TerraNostra · 15/12/2022 12:12

Thank you @Fundays12 and @RobinRobinMouse, much appreciated!

Largethighsbadeyes · 15/12/2022 12:17

Brings all the presents except family ones and one main one under the tree from us.

On Xmas eve the Christmas elves bring new pyjamas and a small present.

Hoever DS is 11 so from next Christmas we will acknowledge that all the santa presents are from us but they will still all go in the stocking (or under it if bigger)

MaryMollyPolly · 15/12/2022 12:18

Santa would only bring stocking presents, not a main gift present. A main present is from parents.

Cattenberg · 15/12/2022 13:44

Stocking and one small present. DD visited Santa recently and told him that she wants a My Little Pony lantern, so I suppose that will have to come from him.

CometCupidDonnerBlitzen · 15/12/2022 13:59

TerraNostra · 15/12/2022 11:02

Hijacking this a bit, my DS mentioned something this morning that he'd like for Christmas. I said "Thing is that is very expensive" and he said "But we don't have to pay Santa for the presents he brings!"

We normally follow the model of stocking plus a few wrapped presents from Santa (value between £10 and £15) and one bigger present from us.

He's 6, but this is the first year he's asked for particular thing. It's a Nintendo Switch, no way on earth is he getting one. (And not because we can't afford it, the reason is that he is still far too young).

How do I deal with the inevitable disappointment when Santa doesn't bring what he asked for?

Honestly, 6 is a great age for a switch. So many of the games are family friendly and pitched at younger kids. It could easily be a “family” gift if it’s just his age that is the problem.
if it’s still a hard no then try setting some clear rules about what Santa brings. So ours were told early on that Santa won’t bring pets or electronics. So if they want a console etc they need to ask us. Santa also won’t bring anything mummy and daddy disapprove of (that was made up when the eldest wanted a giant ride on unicorn - we live in a small terrace lol). We also say in their letters they may tell him a maximum of 3 things they like. When the eldest asked why a kid at school sent a big list we said that mummy and daddy can afford more so we only ask for a little. That seemed to make sense to her. It’s probably her last year believing but the rules have held up so far.

TerraNostra · 15/12/2022 14:30

Thanks @CometCupidDonnerBlitzen

DH is the arbiter of gaming in this house-DS plays a lot on the iPad and DH is in charge of deciding what games should be downloaded so I must say I have left the decisions to him. DH gamed a lot when he was younger and we are already quite relaxed about screen time, so there must be a carefully-considered reason why he feels better to wait a couple of years. DS is an only child so we won't get much "family present" value unless I take up gaming- which I am afraid to do as I'd probably get addicted ha ha!

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