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Original poster

Father Christmas or Santa?

82 replies

NCTDN · 21/12/2022 11:04

Not sure if its just me, but Santa seems so Americanised. It's always been father Christmas in our house but I think we're in the minority?

OP posts:
Pictograph · 21/12/2022 13:57

I use them interchangeably.

PAFMO · 21/12/2022 13:59

mam0918 · 21/12/2022 13:56

Santa (or possibly Santy) Im Irish and live in north England near Scotland... Father Christmas sounds so formal and stuffy to me.

Thing is Santa Claus (as in the magic man in a red suit) as he exists in the UK is inherantly American, they started the whole huge trend for him (its very interesting if you research it).

Problem with the name is Santa Claus is often linked to Saint Nick due to Santa meaning Saint and Claus being taken as a deminutive of Nicolas and the two however have nothing in common... St. Nick was a real man who gifted money to the poor and Santa is a magical deity who can do impossible things.

The longest predecessor of the modern magic man we celebrate is the russian 'demon' Ded Moroz which dates back pre-christianity... his name translates as Grandfather Frost so I guest name wise 'Father Christmas' is closer to the original than mislabling this snowy wizard as as St. Nick.

Dispite the logical of researching and knowing these things I still just find Father Christmas uncomfortable and hard to say, it doesnt flow off the tounge... I think I would rather say Grandfather Frost that Father Christmas as an alternative to the established 'Santa' but I tend to just say Santa as thats what everyone here says.

The Dutch took the red-coated Sinterklaas tradition to America. It didn't start there.

mam0918 · 21/12/2022 14:00

Although thinking of it, the reason it feels so formal is likely the use of 'Father'... honestly I dont know anyone who says 'Father' IRL people say 'dad' so it just feels so posh and stuffy and the word 'Christmas' is just quite big clunky in general so thats probably why it sits uncomfortably for me.

mam0918 · 21/12/2022 14:05

PAFMO · 21/12/2022 13:59

The Dutch took the red-coated Sinterklaas tradition to America. It didn't start there.

Show quote history

But thats a red religeous outfit not a fur lined suit like Ded Moroz (who wore the same as the standard Santa you see but Blue and Silver not Red and White) and Sinterklaas was based on the real saint not a magical entity with flying reindeer that can defy time.

Its American that created Santa Claus as we have him now.

We still celebrate St. Nicks day, St. Nicks feast and do stockings today, St. Nick is very much a part of xmas but seperate for the whole magical bit.

PAFMO · 21/12/2022 14:05

mam0918 · 21/12/2022 14:00

Although thinking of it, the reason it feels so formal is likely the use of 'Father'... honestly I dont know anyone who says 'Father' IRL people say 'dad' so it just feels so posh and stuffy and the word 'Christmas' is just quite big clunky in general so thats probably why it sits uncomfortably for me.

I agree. I was just thinking, despite almost everyone on these threads claiming to only ever use Father Christmas, I have never, in 57 years, heard anyone in real life saying it to a small child or in general conversation.
I've lived in the Midlands, the North west and the south east.

EducatingArti · 21/12/2022 14:23

Growing up in 60's and 70's I used both but Father Christmas rather more often than Santa Claus ( usually his full name not just Santa).
Interestingly Enid Blyton wrote a book about Christmas customs in which she refers to him as Santa Claus rather than FC.
According to my friends' nearly 4 year old, we have to call him Father Christmas because that is Santa's nickname.

ApolloandDaphne · 21/12/2022 14:54

This has been thrashed out about a million times over the years. Santa is the most common in Scotland. My grandparents ( who would have been over 100 now) called him Santa. It's not new or Americanised.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/12/2022 15:33

Father Christmas here, Gdcs say both. Santa is more a Scottish/Irish name I think, not an American import.
IIRC he was Santa Claus in England until WW1, when Santa Claus was felt by many to sound too German.

But he’s Father Christmas in France, too - Pere Noel.

Hugasauras · 21/12/2022 15:36

Def Santa in Scotland Smile Even my 90yo granny calls him Santa!

AdditionalCharacter · 21/12/2022 15:43

What about daddy Claus? Is that allowed?

Dh and I are in our 40s and say Santa, in the NE.

Vetoncall · 21/12/2022 15:45

I'm from NI, it's always Santa. Don't think I've ever heard anyone from home call him Father Christmas except for one friend's Grandparents who had moved over from England. My own Grandparents, other friends' families etc. always said/say Santa. Depending on where in NI I've also heard 'Santy Claus'.

FaoinDrualus · 21/12/2022 15:55

I'm Irish, so for me its Santa (or Santy). Father Christmas sounds very formal to me, though I'm sure its not if thats that you've grown up with.

I've lived in Switzerland for over 20 years and there its Samichlaus (Santa, based on Saint Nicholas, a 4th centuary Greek bishop) and Schmützli (the anti-Santa, based on a child-murderer).
They don't come on Christmas Eve with presents (thats the Christkind), but on Dec 6th.
Samichlaus has bags of chocolate, oranges and peanuts which are given in exchange for a poem or song. Schmützli is his creepy helper dressed in black who has a stick and a sack to threaten naughty children with beatings and kidnapping!!!

Original poster
NCTDN · 21/12/2022 17:29

NippyWoowoo · 21/12/2022 12:11

This is sooooooo boring and there are at least 75 of these a year. You are not unique in preferring Father Christmas or being a self-righteous twat

Ooh get the knives out!!
Just because I've not read Christmas threads on mn before, I've been slated! Never once did I suggest that Father Christmas was a more posh name and never did I criticise Americans, just that it seems more Americanised.

OP posts:
bizzywiththefizzy · 21/12/2022 17:33

@NCTDN No one is really slating you , maybe a little gentle Christmas ribbing .
It does get brought up every year so we can crack out the Mulled Wine now .Wine

Original poster
NCTDN · 21/12/2022 17:34

Oh yes I was being slated!
In my childhood, Santa was only on American films which is what I was meaning and round by me it was all Father Christmas.

OP posts:
Original poster
NCTDN · 21/12/2022 17:35

I think being called a self righteous twat is more than gentle ribbing.

OP posts:
HypaHypa · 21/12/2022 17:45

Father Christmas or sometimes the Big FC.

EveryLittleWish · 21/12/2022 17:48

In Canada most people say Santa so I wouldn’t think it’s just American!

I think Father Christmas sounds nicer though, more magical !

Tinselpipes · 21/12/2022 17:49

Always Father Christmas. I know Santa is used in Scotland but can't help thinking that in England it sounds a bit naff. It gives off inflatable snowmen and tinsel vibes.

bizzywiththefizzy · 21/12/2022 18:06

@NCTDN Ok you are right there that is a bit of an extreme reaction .🤔

TrashyPanda · 22/12/2022 00:30

Can’t remember why we call him Father Christmas in the UK

we dont

its an English thing

SylvanianFrenemies · 22/12/2022 00:33

This again.

Use whichever you prefer.

Santa Claus is not (just) American. There is a world beyond Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire.

Themisthefacts · 22/12/2022 03:15

Always been Santa for my family in Scotland. My Great Gran called him Santa when she was a kid. So no it’s not Americanised .

MickeyMouseShithouse · 22/12/2022 03:27

Father Christmas .. and Santa. DD is 3yo and in our house he’s called Father Christmas - but my brother and his family go by Santa, so when she’s with her cousins it’s used interchangeably.

BrendaDraper · 22/12/2022 04:15

I'm in NE England and it's always been Santa/Santy for me...I always associate FC with being Southern. Santa is definitely not an Americanism though.