A story in the NY Post reports that a mother in Plymouth, England says she used Father Christmas when discussing a Christmas book in a Facebook group, and she immediately began receiving ridicule over the term. “Santa is now seen as gender neutral,” she shares. “I was only referring to the book ‘Father Christmas’ by Raymond Briggs,” adding, “but it’s left me a little confused/on edge about what we are aloud [sic] to say.”
The mom received a lot of push back for Father Christmas.
- “I must be the only one who hates ‘Father Christmas’, I much prefer ‘Santa/Santa Claus,’ plus it’s easier for littlies to say,” one of the woman’s critics wrote.
- But there were plenty of people on the mom’s side. "Father Christmas is fine!” one mom shared, “We have always used that in our family!! Use what YOU want.”
- Another added, “It is Father Christmas, we are English not American! This gender neutral stuff is way out of hand.”
In the end, the mom seems to have been swayed by her critics. She shared, “I have a small child and don’t really want to raise him saying ‘Father Christmas’ if it’s hurtful to some.”