Father Christmas And Children

[barry1010]

What do/did you tell your children about Father Christmas?

I told mine that same thing as my parents told me. Father Christmas would bring one present for every girl and boy that had been good and if he came it meant that we could have all our Christmas presents. I knew that the 'big' presents came from my parents and if I asked for something too expensive they would tell me to choose something else.

It works for my family

[Buenchico]

All my presents came from Santa, as far as I can recall. Anything that came from an aunt or uncle must have had its label removed by my parents, so that it was a gift from Father Christmas, rather than from a family member. (It saved on writing 'Thank you' letters, anyway!).

I've not had kids of my own but when I've sent presents to young family members (or to the children of friends) I've always labelled them as being "from Father Christmas" (rather than "from Chris") until they've got past the age of believing in him.

[roopower]

I can't remember ever explaining anything to our son and daughter, they just realised as they got older, as is happening with my grandsons. When my older grandson was seven, my dughtwrs FinL told him there was no Father Christmas. Gson gave him a withering look and said "Well, now you won't get any presents."

[barry1010]

Good for your grandson, roo :D

Buenchico, did you get everything you asked for?

[Bobbisox1]

I think it’s a gradual thing when children stop believing and often happens through an older sibling breaking the magic, I could never have told my daughter there was no Father Christmas nor my grandson, I think it seems to happen around the age of 8/9.
Gifts were always labelled from FC and a visit leading to Christmas to see him was a pre requisite , a little note asking what they’d like and a promise of being very good all year was released up the chimney of a coal fire , magic for children indeed

[Ken4155]

The warning that Santa wouldn't be visiting if they were bad had no effect whatsoever on my 4. Until about 22nd/23rd December, that is :-)

[barry1010]

We loved visiting FC in his fabulous grotto at Lewis' department store - the window displays were magical with moving polar bears and reindeer. The elves entertained us while we queued, and we were always thrilled to get a badge off Uncle Holly.
I'm sure the children loved it, too :D

My brother told me that FC wasn't real but my parents assured me that he is real to everyone who believes in him.

[Buenchico]

>>> Buenchico, did you get everything you asked for?

It's hard to remember from 60-odd years ago, Barry, but I think that my parents were quite good at guiding me towards what they could actually afford. (e.g. "I think that Santa might find it a bit hard to get hold of one of those, darling. Perhaps you can think of something else that you could ask him for?").

[barry1010]

Wise parents, Buen. Wasn't you expected to give presents? From a very young age I gave my mom 20 B&H and my dad St Bruno, my siblings colouring books and my Gran stockings

[Ken4155]

I wrote a little poem about whether Santa is real or not, posted on the Christmas sub-section of chatterbank t'other day. Added to it shortly after.

[Buenchico]

I seem to remember my mum getting fed up of giving her bath salts or talcum powder for every birthday and for Christmas too, Barry! I probably bought broaches or similar from then on.

I think I gave my dad those small tins of mini cigars.

[1ozzy]

I taught my children not to sit on an old mans lap, no matter how friendly he looks or how many presents he promises.

[1ozzy]

Or how many bags of lollies he professed to have

[Buenchico]

We all know that you're just as daft about Christmas down under as we are though, 1ozzy ;-)

[1ozzy]

Well,,,maybe Chris;-)

[douglas9401]

I told our two from an early age that all late night intruders would be shot on sight the passed round the humbugs.

[douglas9401]

'then'

[Cloverjo]

I remember posting a letter to Father Christmas when I was about 3 or 4. I think that was the end of it as my sister was petrified of an old man creeping into her bedroom at night so we were told that he wasn’t real.

With my own son, I never put any labels on presents and stooped mentioning FC when he was about 9. He soon twigged.

[gness]

I was eight when my mother woke me to help her put together a little railway track she was struggling with for my one year old brother. I saw some gifts and asked if Father Christmas had been already. She told me not to be silly with Father Christmas rubbish. He wasn't real.

For my daughter we'd tuck her up every Christmas Eve and as one read a story the other would go outside and ring a bell. Santa's Sleigh! He was on his way! The year she said...It's funny that bell never rings when you and daddy are in the room together...was the year we knew she had twigged and had just been going along with us... :-)

[bednobs]

my daughter is 9yo. we have always said fc brings stocking presents and real people bring the ones under the tree. that way, she can still thank the rightful givers of the presents. stocking presents are little things and are always unwrapped

[rowanwitch]

My friends little girl was being an absolute nightmare until she found out I kept Father Christmas naughty and nice books when mother Christmas was busy.. She had a letter with copies of the pages, a little photoshopping made her name seem to have almost faded from nice and appear a lot clearer but not quite developed on naughty. The letter told her Santa really loved the cello and always listened when she practiced, how he loved hearing his favourite carols and needed a tidy bedroom so he could deliver presents without tripping. The lists even showed a few of her friends names for authenticity. Worked like a charm!