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Original poster

Different traditions re Santa

156 replies

daisyflowergirl123 · 08/12/2023 08:43

Hi all

Needing some insight into people's Christmas traditions please!

For me as a child, Santa would bring a sack which had a selection of presents (small things like pjs/books/chocolates) and these would be specifically from and delivered by Santa. My parents would then have main presents under the tree from them.

DH has discussed that as a child, the parents that Santa delivered were actually from his parents, so no presents under the tree but his tradition was that the presents in the Santa sack/stocking delivered by Santa were from the parents.

Now my DD is at the age of starting to understand Christmas's were having discussions over which tradition to follow!

So what is/was the tradition in your household?Xmas Confused

OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 08/12/2023 09:00

3 generations of, Father Christmas brings relatively little things in stockings or pillowcases. All opened first thing.

Presents from parents and anyone else - named on tags so they can be thanked - go under the tree, for opening later, maybe after breakfast.

TeenDivided · 08/12/2023 09:04

Small stocking from Father Christmas. Everything else from family.

In fact we tried not to mention FC at all and just talked about 'if the stocking is full' but popular culture instilled FC that we tacitly went along with it.

A small sticking keeps it simple, you don't get into nonsense like Santa being a glorified version of Amazon, and also as presents need to fit into a stocking they aren't large or expensive. Did still deliver things Mum&Dad don't like such as character T shirts.

Broodywuz · 08/12/2023 09:04

1/2 small presents under the tree from Mum and Dad (maybe pyjamas and a book/game), everything else is from santa. Sizeable pile, usually 1 big/main present and 5/6 smaller, wrapped and a stocking, all sat in front of the fireplace where Santa delivered them. This is what we had as kids and have carried on. However part of me wishes we'd only done the stocking and maybe 1 present from Santa and the rest under the tree from mum and dad, I think then at least when they don't believe in Santa anymore it's not such a big deal and if they find a Santa gift by chance before Christmas then it's ruined but not a big deal if it was from mum and dad. Also it means you could have them wrapped and under the tree before which would save a job on Christmas eve and build the excitement of all the gifts under the tree, rather than the 30 seconds they'll see them before they rip them open Christmas morning. On the other hand the joy on their faces when they come down and see the big pile from santa kind of makes it all worth it. Sorry i'm not much help haha.

minipie · 08/12/2023 09:07

Stocking from Santa
Bigger presents from family

This was the case in both my family and Dh’s growing up and it’s how we do it with our DC

Stephisaur · 08/12/2023 09:08

Santa was merely the courier for DH & I growing up. We both had stockings/sacks that could be opened early. I think these were 'from' the North Pole but not 100% sure.

With DS we say that stockings are from Father Christmas and then he might bring a couple of smaller presents for under the tree (stocking gifts and santa presents all wrapped in same paper - different to the stuff from us/others). The presents from Santa will typically be whatever he has asked for when visiting a santa, or what was on his list (we only ask santa for 1 or 2 things when writing to him).

DS is aware that we buy presents for other people but we then 'send' these to Santa so that they can be delivered on Christmas Eve.

Wendysfriend · 08/12/2023 09:18

For us and everyone we know, as far back as I can remember, the children write out a list of what they want, (families would have a set amount of number of gifts they could ask for), Santa brought everything.

No one paid Santa , Santa wasn't a courier.

Parents bought one or two small gifts for under the tree.

No one did Santa stockings, we all bought them with the names but they were never used, usually just hung from the fireplace as decorations.

housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:18

Growing up at presents where delivered by Santa... all unwrapped on the sofa. We did not really do stockings (there was maybe nuts and a selection box, it was not a 'big thing' though sometimes not looked at until days later). If there was a wrapped gift under the tree it was usually from a friend or family member but this was not common (we don't have much family).

This is apparently quite common in northern working class areas. DH Christmases where similar. Sometime his parents would make toys (like the blue peter Tracy island).

Now we do ALL the traditions for our kids, there are:

  • wrapped gifts under the tree from us
  • unwrapped gifts delivered by Santa mail (often big things or fiddly to set up things often secondhand as Santa recycles toys people grow out of)
  • Santa sack with little classic gifts from Santa (like football, whistle, yoyo etc...)
  • Stocking with snacks and little novelties in (opened last)
housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:21

Wendysfriend · 08/12/2023 09:18

For us and everyone we know, as far back as I can remember, the children write out a list of what they want, (families would have a set amount of number of gifts they could ask for), Santa brought everything.

No one paid Santa , Santa wasn't a courier.

Parents bought one or two small gifts for under the tree.

No one did Santa stockings, we all bought them with the names but they were never used, usually just hung from the fireplace as decorations.

How on earth do you know what everyone else does/did?

Most people assume everyone does the same but its actually pretty rare for everyone (even in the same area/family/class) to have the exact same collection of traditions.

HAF1119 · 08/12/2023 09:24

Ours is just - Santa brings it all and it appears in a sack under the tree, and a stocking outside the bedroom door. We do the stockings in bed then go down, see the carrot etc gone, do the sacks from under the tree

If people come with other stuff Santa just dropped it with them.

Granted we didn't put much thought into this method! The stocking isn't exciting just bath bombs/snacks that are liked/pyjamas.. and gifts from us is pretty much the one present we told him to think of to ask Santa for and this year 2 items that go 'with' the main gift (cars for it).. so for us it's made sense to be Santa..

The kids all just seem to accept whatever the parents come up with I never notice them discuss the ins and outs so I think it can be done in any way!

Nannyfannybanny · 08/12/2023 09:25

Stocking on the bed (it was actually a sock) presents from relatives by the tree at lovely nannas house,opened after lunch. I never was told stuff about Father Christmas. My own DKs when they wanted really expensive stuff we couldn't afford and they were under school age,we explained we had to pay Santa for them.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 08/12/2023 09:26

The most common ways I’ve seen it are:

  • stocking from Father Christmas with small gifts, parents give larger gifts along with other family
  • everything from Father Christmas and parents give nothing, gifts from other family under the tree

I’ve also heard of people saying Father Christmas just delivers the gifts but the parent has to pay him, which seems rather odd to me!

Growing up we were in camp 1 but still seemed to write a letter to Santa, but then parents would just buy off that list.

I would personally prefer to do method 2 as I don’t need the gifts to come from us, however I’m conscious of not making it seem like my kids get loads from Santa whereas poorer kids might get less and question it, so we’ll probably do a hybrid where Santa brings a stocking plus one main gift.

Wendysfriend · 08/12/2023 09:26

housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:21

How on earth do you know what everyone else does/did?

Most people assume everyone does the same but its actually pretty rare for everyone (even in the same area/family/class) to have the exact same collection of traditions.

Show quote history

Did you actually read my post. Where on earth did I say I that I know what everyone does ? I said everyone WE KNOW , of course we're going to know what people we we know do, it's called talking to each other

TeenDivided · 08/12/2023 09:29

I’ve also heard of people saying Father Christmas just delivers the gifts but the parent has to pay him, which seems rather odd to me!

It does however cover why rich kids get more than poor, which if you think about it is the opposite of what Santa should do.

Comedycook · 08/12/2023 09:30

All presents under the tree are from parents. These will be the big ticket items.

Santa brings all stocking presents which are smaller but there are more of.

housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:34

Wendysfriend · 08/12/2023 09:26

Did you actually read my post. Where on earth did I say I that I know what everyone does ? I said everyone WE KNOW , of course we're going to know what people we we know do, it's called talking to each other

Show quote history

'everyone WE KNOW'

So how do you know what everyone does? I obviously didn't mean everyone in the whole world... you claim everyone you know somehow has the EXACT same Christmas traditions as you. Unless you don't know anyone outside your immediate family that simply cannot be true.

And why would you know that? I don't even know the exact details of my best friends and aunts Xmas traditions in detail, I know for a fact theres some variation on ours though. I certainly don't know how 'everyone' I know (Co-workers, School parents, DH friends, Cousin etc...) do Xmas.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 08/12/2023 09:37

TeenDivided · 08/12/2023 09:29

I’ve also heard of people saying Father Christmas just delivers the gifts but the parent has to pay him, which seems rather odd to me!

It does however cover why rich kids get more than poor, which if you think about it is the opposite of what Santa should do.

I agree, which is kind of why whilst I would like ALL the gifts from us to come from Santa, I won’t do that as I wouldn’t want a child who gets less to feel disappointed. I think parents should take some sort of social responsibility in this way tbh and consider the feelings of children who may get less.

YaWeeFurryBastard · 08/12/2023 09:38

housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:34

'everyone WE KNOW'

So how do you know what everyone does? I obviously didn't mean everyone in the whole world... you claim everyone you know somehow has the EXACT same Christmas traditions as you. Unless you don't know anyone outside your immediate family that simply cannot be true.

And why would you know that? I don't even know the exact details of my best friends and aunts Xmas traditions in detail, I know for a fact theres some variation on ours though. I certainly don't know how 'everyone' I know (Co-workers, School parents, DH friends, Cousin etc...) do Xmas.

Show quote history

What on earth is wrong with you?! The OP clearly means everyone they have discussed it with. Chill out!

BooksAndHooks · 08/12/2023 09:43

Stockings upstairs from Father Christmas. Present asked from Father Christmas had to be something that was suitable for stocking.

Presents downstairs from parents.

Jacfrost · 08/12/2023 09:43

Pillowcase at the end of the bed gets filled with presents from Santa. These are the lower value, stocking filler items. Wrapped in tissue paper or that cheap wrap that comes in sheets. I used to wake up at an ungodly hour and open them in bed, but DD waits and brings them in and opens them on our bed which is probably the best part of my day.

Presents from us and family under the tree.

Wendysfriend · 08/12/2023 09:53

housethatbuiltme · 08/12/2023 09:34

'everyone WE KNOW'

So how do you know what everyone does? I obviously didn't mean everyone in the whole world... you claim everyone you know somehow has the EXACT same Christmas traditions as you. Unless you don't know anyone outside your immediate family that simply cannot be true.

And why would you know that? I don't even know the exact details of my best friends and aunts Xmas traditions in detail, I know for a fact theres some variation on ours though. I certainly don't know how 'everyone' I know (Co-workers, School parents, DH friends, Cousin etc...) do Xmas.

Show quote history

I'm not sure why you're so angry at me, I replied to the op with how things are done amongst the people I know.

So let me spell it out to you. As a child growing up we all spoke with each other in school, after school , we spoke about what Santa was bringing, these conversations were that Santa brought what was on our lists .

As an adult we carried on this tradition with our own children, funnily enough we do actually speak with friends and family about Christmas and strangely the topic of Santa always seems to crop up with us speaking about what our children have asked Santa for. We also speak to our nieces and nephews and friends children asking them what Santa is bringing them, they'll tell us about their letters and what they asked Santa for. Of course we discuss these things with adults, usually about the cost of items, finding items, and how we do the whole process.

Just because you don't talk to your family and friends about Christmas it doesn't mean no one else does.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 08/12/2023 10:05

Stocking from Santa, presents wrapped, but unlabelled. Presents under the tree from me and whoever else gifted them.

At the end of the day, when everything is ccleared away, a search ensues for a bigger gift Santa has hidden somewhere. A tradition from my childhood which I have started with my dd. I'm glad I did as the last time it happened when I was a recipient my sister, having got me in a room by myself, decided to berate me for my university options. I'm glad I can now overlay this memory.

Wibblywobblylikejelly · 08/12/2023 10:07

Santa brings everything in our house, except the things given directly by family obviously. But he does the Stockings and gifts under the tree.

bookworm14 · 08/12/2023 10:10

In our house Santa brings small presents in the stocking, and large presents under the tree are from us/wider family. It is a bloody minefield though, as DD has started commenting that in her friends’ houses Santa brings all the presents!

mondaytosunday · 08/12/2023 10:11

We didn't have stockings. We got two or three gifts and I have no idea how it was done but think they came from Santa (and were under the tree).

StiffyByngsDogBartholomew · 08/12/2023 10:14

Christmas stocking is from Father Christmas and contains small gifts to around £30. This year will have her fave shampoo & conditioner, some bits for her horse eg coat conditioner spray, hot chocolate pods and some material and stuff for her hobbyhorses that she makes. Stocking is opened when she wakes up.
presents are from us and are done in the afternoon.
this is how my parents did it abd it works well.