Couldn’t Father Christmas help?

Ali08

Callistemon21, Galaxy meant FC isn't ready to do that yet as he's been busy this year, so he'll make that advert for next year!

Oh thanks!

I've been really upset thinking about Galaxy's post 😫

When he was about five my elder son laughed so much at the Raymond Briggs Father Christmas he almost made himself sick. It’s certainly not wasted on children!

Briggs’ The Snowman was on Channel 4 this afternoon. Lovely. I watched it, even though my grandchildren aren’t here. Not wasted on grown-ups!

Callistemon21, Galaxy meant FC isn't ready to do that yet as he's been busy this year, so he'll make that advert for next year!

madeleine45

if any of you have young children to buy for cant beat the great Raymond Briggs Father Christmas and Father Christmas goes on holiday. FC is shown as livling in a terrace house with an outside toilet. Has a cat and a dog and goes round saying "Blooming Christmas" Lovely book to look at and make the older generation smile too. The on holiday one shows him converting his sledge into a caravan and going on holiday in the summer and the children recognise him and not the parents. The FC one is a firm favourite and has passed it on to many people who have enjoyed it. I am sure we can all say "blooming christmas" at times with great effect!

I absolutely love that Father Christmas book! Someone gave it to a very little dd many years ago - I was heavily pregnant and laughed so much, my mother thought I’d set my baby off!
IMO it’s rather wasted on young children.

Though Gds at 5 found the pic of FC sitting on the loo with his pyjamas round his ankles, saying, ‘I hate winter!’ hilarious. He would though - anything to do with bottoms and poo!

Of course he is real!!!! He can be heard on local radio every year answering questions. Last year a little boy asked how he would get into his house because it had no chimney - apparently FC has a magic key, which only works for him, for houses without chimneys - what a relief!

Agreed, M0nica. If a child is able to understand an economic crisis, they will understand that it means there is less money about. Those of Santa-believing age will have no idea about it, and will be delighted at the magic of it all.

I've never known a child be 'reluctant to accept' a present .

Sadly I do think many children will be reluctant to accept fewer or cheaper gifts than they usually get. They may think that the economic crisis is an 'adult' thing and doesn't directly relate to them and that Mum and Dad will find the money from somewhere.

Another very cynical view on Christmas. Smaller children have no idea of price and if the presents they get are cheaper they will not know. Older children are more than capable of understanding current problems. Our DGC are making and doing and hunting for presents at charity shops as enthusiastically as their elders.

We had one very tight Christmas when our children were small and we had a charity shop and hand-made Christmas and one of our children descibed it as the best Christmas - ever -.

if any of you have young children to buy for cant beat the great Raymond Briggs Father Christmas and Father Christmas goes on holiday. FC is shown as livling in a terrace house with an outside toilet. Has a cat and a dog and goes round saying "Blooming Christmas" Lovely book to look at and make the older generation smile too. The on holiday one shows him converting his sledge into a caravan and going on holiday in the summer and the children recognise him and not the parents. The FC one is a firm favourite and has passed it on to many people who have enjoyed it. I am sure we can all say "blooming christmas" at times with great effect!

Nice idea but who would produce the advert? Not John Lewis or M&S nor any of the toy manufacturers!

At mine

I totally agree with OP. Bring back Secret Santa lists where everyone only has one gift and only has to buy one gift. This would be a great lesson to those who normally go over the top on gifts showing that during times of duresse, everyone has to make changes.

Presents this year for husband.
•Tokens to pay gas.
•Tokens to pay electric.
•A hot water bottle
Happy Christmas one and all.

He comes to mine

Galaxy I've done a wordle on that r... and I am devastated. How could you

"I have a sign that hangs beneath the Christmas wreath on my front door which reads "This House Believes"

Some years ago an elderly neighbour did the same thing with a sign that read "We Believe in Santa" and her GC added "and he lives here" because their grandad had a full white beard. One morning her doorbell rang and she opened the door to find a long line of children (and a few Mums) asking to see Santa! She had to quickly explain that he was away at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas Eve and would be back in January but wouldn't be wearing his red suit then. I don't think she ever put the 'We Believe' sign out again!

No children in our household now but we still leave a small generous glass of brandy, a mince pie and a carrot out for Santa. All that's left in the morning are crumbs. Of course Santa is real!!

I always told our children about the legend of St Nicholas rather than the Disney style Santa, and several of the Santa figures that we display each year are dressed in green or 'man of the woods' clothes. Every Christmas Eve I read the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' before I go to bed and I like to be in bed before midnight listening for jingling bells. I'm just a big kid at heart and I hope I always will be.

Getting back to the original theme of this topic, I think an advert or message from Santa could be quite a good idea. If the supermarkets can do it why not Santa! Perhaps he could ask children to donate toys they no longer want to charities. Young children would probably take more notice of what Santa said.

Sadly I do think many children will be reluctant to accept fewer or cheaper gifts than they usually get. They may think that the economic crisis is an 'adult' thing and doesn't directly relate to them and that Mum and Dad will find the money from somewhere.

I'm with J bp1. Great idea. I am going to do that all my grandchildren are teenagers or over.

Omg he’s not real 😳 who’s been eating the mince pies and drinking the hot milk for the last 64 years then 🎅🤔

Brilliant idea.

I was thinking maybe we could all write to Santa with a slightly reduced gift list. But then I realised Santa probably won't get many of our letters this year due to postal strikes. Oh no! How will he know what I want? I may have to buy a few pressies for myself just in case he gets it wrong. 😊

Every year when we were children father christmas would knock on our front door with a sack of presents... when we asked where Mum was my dad always said... she's having a bath..

Juliet27

^Who puts money into our bank account each month, then, if it isn’t FC?^
I didn’t know Fanny Cornforth does that. I’ve missed out!!

The penny’s dropped - FannyC moonlights in December as Father Christmas! Let’s count her posts next month and if there’s a drop off from the rest of the year - you’ve been rumbled, FannyCornforth! 🧑‍🎄

And he could buy an electric sleigh so as to pay road tax just like everyone else.

😂😂😂

It's not easy to get a large wooden wardrobe down the chimney.

The car can stay on the drive

Callistemon21 careful with that wardrobe request, he might think you mean the piece of furniture Otherwise a very reasonable list!

Something you want, A diamond necklace
Something you need, A new car
Something to wear, A whole new wardrobe
Something to read. A new Kindle

Please, Father Christmas