Page 2 | How to actually do this whole Santa thing?!

ChalknCheeseplants · 2023-12-15T09:07:22+00:00

It's actually stressing me out! Growing up our stockings were always from Santa, all of our big presents were from our parents. This is what I did when my eldest was one, two and three but now he is four and has really become into the whole Santa thing. It doesn't help how it's depicted on tv, with people writing lists asking for big presents etc that they then get, him and his friends in reception have obviously discussed it too. Do I need to start doing one or two bigger presents from Santa as well as a stocking? I don't want him upset that so-and-so got a Paw Patrol Tower and a Bike from Santa and he got some bath paints, a couple of hot wheels and a book 😂 I didn't expect it to feel like this big a responsibility! He's already asked if Santa is real and if he is really-real! I'm stressed! [blush]

HeyMicky · 15/12/2023 10:33

Stockings only from Santa. Kids twist the narrative themselves so the magic "fits", so it doesn't matter what others do

gerteddy · 15/12/2023 10:50

@YourNameGoesHere
No, any gifts from family are usually given to them in person. There's no confusion there at all. We sometimes have maybe one present from family down south and some cards with money, we tell them that's from whatever family member as they open it.

All presents from Santa are also all in the same paper (different type for each child).

housethatbuiltme · 15/12/2023 11:16

Honestly he wont know.

I never clarified who the gifts where from as a kid, I don't think anyone really did its an idea parents come up with.

I also NEVER in my life discussed it with people IRL.

Your kid will believe what he chooses to believe, don't tell him anything and he will make up what suits him.

lightthetable · 15/12/2023 11:21

We did the exact same as you, a stocking from FC and the rest from us under the tree, any gift from any other relative was given to them by the relative when they saw them so either before or after Christmas.

Don't worry so much about what everyone else is doing, just keep doing it the way you want, there are so many ways that other families do FC that it really should be rumbled early on.

Also the very naughty children in school also get presents from FC too so the whole be good is bullshit anyway

Singleandproud · 15/12/2023 11:25

DD wrote a list and Santa bought one present from that list. Normally it was something I'd make a huge fuss about not buying as it was disgusting (Gooey Louie, Doggie Doo) or too loud (musical instruments), too dangerous (skateboard) so when she got it she would laugh hysterically that Santa had bought her just what she wanted even though I didn't want her to have it 😄.

I told her that every family sets the rules for Santa and for us he buys one present.

I'm a single parent and I also used to hint heavily at what I would like for Christmas, buy it for myself but have the Elf deliver it with gift wrapping supplies and she used to keep it completely secret and would be so proud bringing out the present on Christmas morning because it's just what I wanted.

Original poster

ChalknCheeseplants · 15/12/2023 11:29

Singleandproud · 15/12/2023 11:25

DD wrote a list and Santa bought one present from that list. Normally it was something I'd make a huge fuss about not buying as it was disgusting (Gooey Louie, Doggie Doo) or too loud (musical instruments), too dangerous (skateboard) so when she got it she would laugh hysterically that Santa had bought her just what she wanted even though I didn't want her to have it 😄.

I told her that every family sets the rules for Santa and for us he buys one present.

I'm a single parent and I also used to hint heavily at what I would like for Christmas, buy it for myself but have the Elf deliver it with gift wrapping supplies and she used to keep it completely secret and would be so proud bringing out the present on Christmas morning because it's just what I wanted.

Edited

"I'm a single parent and I also used to hint heavily at what I would like for Christmas, buy it for myself but have the Elf deliver it with gift wrapping supplies and she used to keep it completely secret and would be so proud bringing out the present on Christmas morning because it's just what I wanted."

That is so lovely!

OP posts:

Turtleoo · 15/12/2023 12:07

I agree with pp saying that children just make whatever you tell them for the narrative. In our house Santa just brings stockings, but I've stored up something I read elsewhere on MN in case it's every questioned why x in his class got a big gift from Santa - because Santa is magic he knows if parents can't afford much so sometimes he might bring a bigger present to a child that might not get much otherwise. However in our house family give the bigger gifts and Santa just brings the stockings.

In terms of writing wish lists to Santa for the big things that I end up giving DS, I would say that Santa helps pass messages on if it's something too big or valuable to fit in his sleigh.

However I've not yet had any awkward questions!

Broodywuz · 15/12/2023 12:13

I can't believe that people make gifts from other people (as in extended family/friends) "from Santa", that's just rude to me. If someone gives you a gift you should know who it's from.
We had stocking and a largish pile of gifts from santa (generally 1 big present and 3/4 smaller things) that were by the fireplace when we came down christmas morning, these were all bought by our parents. Under the christmas tree was all the gifts from everyone else, grandparents, aunts/uncles etc and 1 gift each from mum and dad (I guess or we would of thought it strange mum and dad didn't get us anything), these were put under the tree as and when we were given them. This is what i've carried on with my dc

Theraffarian · 15/12/2023 13:52

When mine were little Father Christmas was the arranger and deliverer of all the presents , whoever bought them got due thank yous . He would also leave one wooden toy ( or item as we carried it on til they left home ! ) that the elves had made in his workshop , which was the gift from Santa.

ThePlantKiller · 15/12/2023 14:40

Broodywuz · 15/12/2023 12:13

I can't believe that people make gifts from other people (as in extended family/friends) "from Santa", that's just rude to me. If someone gives you a gift you should know who it's from.
We had stocking and a largish pile of gifts from santa (generally 1 big present and 3/4 smaller things) that were by the fireplace when we came down christmas morning, these were all bought by our parents. Under the christmas tree was all the gifts from everyone else, grandparents, aunts/uncles etc and 1 gift each from mum and dad (I guess or we would of thought it strange mum and dad didn't get us anything), these were put under the tree as and when we were given them. This is what i've carried on with my dc

My parents did this - all "Santa" presents were out and unwrapped and I found out from a passing comment many years later that some of these items were actually from family members. Whether said family members knew about it at the time, I really don't know. I hope they didn't think me rude by not saying thanks!

Outforlunchallday · 15/12/2023 17:07

Singleandproud · 15/12/2023 11:25

DD wrote a list and Santa bought one present from that list. Normally it was something I'd make a huge fuss about not buying as it was disgusting (Gooey Louie, Doggie Doo) or too loud (musical instruments), too dangerous (skateboard) so when she got it she would laugh hysterically that Santa had bought her just what she wanted even though I didn't want her to have it 😄.

I told her that every family sets the rules for Santa and for us he buys one present.

I'm a single parent and I also used to hint heavily at what I would like for Christmas, buy it for myself but have the Elf deliver it with gift wrapping supplies and she used to keep it completely secret and would be so proud bringing out the present on Christmas morning because it's just what I wanted.

Edited

I love this. What a brilliant Mum you are.

Outforlunchallday · 15/12/2023 17:09

Santa brings most of the gifts. They are told what gifts are from relatives so they can say thank you and relatives also give gifts throughout the day.

SugarCookieMonster · 15/12/2023 17:17

Santa does the stocking and one or two presents here.

Apparently when I was little my DM had put all of the presents as ‘from Santa’. After opening everything I asked what DPs had got me for Christmas!🫣 From that experience I now have a clear separation between Santa gifts and ours 😂

Whatwouldnanado · 15/12/2023 17:20

Stockings from Santa whatever age. Letter done beginning Dec by child until they stop doing it asking for one thing and a spare idea just in case. Santa still leaves unwrapped stuff to share eg board games, tub of sweets, mugs etc each year.

rosao · 15/12/2023 17:23

We and the rest of their family send money to Santa. This keeps the excitement of Santa but also ensures they can thank family for their gifts.

We started off quite vague and tbh they have never questioned it.

I always see it mentioned on mn about children discussing what Santa brought. In my experience children just talk about what they had for Christmas in general.

Singleandproud · 15/12/2023 17:26

@Outforlunchallday to be fair, I did it because I was a single parent but I think it's a great thing to do even if you have a bigger family, children like to give surprises.

When she was really little I'd leave her with open gift bags and some tissue paper to stuff in it with the present like she'd seen me do with her friends birthday presents. As she became older I left her with a tape dispenser and paper and some scissors and she'd do a (fairly) good job.

I think if you 'do' the elf in a bigger family it would be interesting to deliver a note and presents for each family member to each child separately and see what they give to each person. Wouldn't need to be expensive, perhaps everyone's favourite chocolate etc, or a mixture of sweets and some cups for them to make a pick-and-mix for everyone, or whether they scoff the lot!

housethatbuiltme · 15/12/2023 18:50

rosao · 15/12/2023 17:23

We and the rest of their family send money to Santa. This keeps the excitement of Santa but also ensures they can thank family for their gifts.

We started off quite vague and tbh they have never questioned it.

I always see it mentioned on mn about children discussing what Santa brought. In my experience children just talk about what they had for Christmas in general.

Honestly most kids wont even give a real account of what they got, put on the spot they will think of the stupidest gift to say they got.

I swear I could for example have gotten my DS Switch but if you asked him he would say 'I got a rubber duck' referring to a silly stocking filler lol.

Some kids are inherently little lying gobshites like 'Jay' from inbetweeners too.

My DS had a friend who lied constantly. Over the years he convinced my naive DS that they where moving to a mansion, owned a helicopter, he had his own race car etc... in reality they lived in a terrace down the street, his dad drove a 10 year old honda and his mam drank a little too much prosecco and made every party awkward. They where a perfectly normal family on par with most other locals, kid just had a WILD imagination for a richy rich life style.

SootspriteSearcher · 16/12/2023 00:45

housethatbuiltme · 15/12/2023 18:50

Honestly most kids wont even give a real account of what they got, put on the spot they will think of the stupidest gift to say they got.

I swear I could for example have gotten my DS Switch but if you asked him he would say 'I got a rubber duck' referring to a silly stocking filler lol.

Some kids are inherently little lying gobshites like 'Jay' from inbetweeners too.

My DS had a friend who lied constantly. Over the years he convinced my naive DS that they where moving to a mansion, owned a helicopter, he had his own race car etc... in reality they lived in a terrace down the street, his dad drove a 10 year old honda and his mam drank a little too much prosecco and made every party awkward. They where a perfectly normal family on par with most other locals, kid just had a WILD imagination for a richy rich life style.

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When my daughter was in reception they all drew what they got for Christmas... she had lots of toys and exciting presents that year. She drew a very detailed picture of the character toothbrush that was in her stocking 🤣 goodness knows what the teacher thought!! 😂