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Christmas

Santa or Father Christmas?!

(93 Posts)
Twostep Thu 30-Nov-17 15:49:57

I can't remember ever using the name Santa when my lot were little, only Father Christmas, yet I seem to hear my DGC raving about Santa every other day! Where did this come from (I suspect it's an import from across the Pond) and when did it overtake Father Christmas in popularity?

Which of the two do your DGC use?

BBbevan Thu 30-Nov-17 16:46:02

We all say just FC. My DS abbreviated lots of things when he was little and this one stuck.

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 30-Nov-17 16:52:05

When I was little in Scotland it was always Santa Claus, not Santa or Father Christmas.

Atqui Thu 30-Nov-17 16:52:55

G O W here! Can't bear the name Santa!!

Jayh Thu 30-Nov-17 16:55:45

Not an import from across the pond but probably the other way round. He has always been Santa Claus to me and my family.

Chewbacca Thu 30-Nov-17 17:09:14

Father Christmas when I was a child and then for my own children. Grandchildren now say FC, never Santa.

nanaK54 Thu 30-Nov-17 17:23:17

We always say Father Christmas here smile

rockgran Thu 30-Nov-17 17:25:56

We use both in our family but for me it is Santa Claus - from my Scottish childhood.

Grandma70s Thu 30-Nov-17 17:39:42

Always Father Christmas. Santa Claus in full is all right, but NEVER just Santa. It sounds semi-literate to me to use the ‘saint’ bit (Santa) but not the name (Claus, short for Nicolas/Niklaus).

Nanabilly Thu 30-Nov-17 17:53:32

Always has been and always will be santa in my family.
Don't like Father Christmas at all.

Jalima1108 Thu 30-Nov-17 17:54:43

Santa Claus - Saint Nicholas

Although we say Father Christmas because he delivers on Christmas Eve and Saint Nicholas brings gifts on 6th December.

Perhaps believe in both and receive a double lot of presents?

midgey Thu 30-Nov-17 17:55:14

Always Father Christmas in our family.

Smithy Thu 30-Nov-17 18:22:34

You never hear Father Christmas in the North East, it's always been Santa Claus. I do hate the shortening to Santa and even worse, Santy!

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 30-Nov-17 18:26:24

Sounds so far like Santa Claus is a northern thing. I do remember my Enid Blyton books using Father Christmas, so I always thought that's what the English said! grin

Bathsheba Thu 30-Nov-17 18:37:42

We've always said Father Christmas, but Santa Claus is creeping into our family usage, mainly because so many story books and TV shows/films use it. I don't mind either way and as long as we explain to the very little ones that it's the same person but he has two names, it doesn't really matter tchsmile

NotTooOld Thu 30-Nov-17 19:08:54

Father Christmas over here.

silverlining48 Thu 30-Nov-17 19:23:26

Father christmas for us

Pirate Thu 30-Nov-17 19:57:43

I always use Father Christmas as I was always scared as a child by the thought of claws!

lemongrove Thu 30-Nov-17 20:14:34

It was always Father Christmas [as a child] I think that is the English version, and Father Christmas with our own DC, but have noticed the DGC saying Santa.Probably from the US and all the films on tv.

Jalima1108 Thu 30-Nov-17 20:16:23

'Santa Claus The Movie'

Everything originated in Hollywood

WilmaKnickersfit Thu 30-Nov-17 20:18:52

I don't think so because Santa Claus comes from the Dutch for St Nicholas - plus the film wasn't made that long ago! grin

lemongrove Thu 30-Nov-17 20:19:58

Father Christmas used to be depicted standing near a wood, and wearing green robes,Santa Claus wearing red and white
was I think, a late 19th century idea by the makers of Coca-Cola.

lemongrove Thu 30-Nov-17 20:21:02

I think jalima was being satirical.grin

paddyann Thu 30-Nov-17 20:30:01

definately Santa Claus from the dutch ,,always been Santa Claus in Scotland as far as I'm aware .I've never heard him called father Christmas here

Bathsheba Thu 30-Nov-17 20:49:36

Yes, lemon, I think you're right about Coca-Cola introducing the red and white Santa Claus. In Scandinavia I believe St Nicholas is dressed in blue - probably a bit more fitting for the extremes of temperature there tchshock