Santa or Father Christmas? A guide for UK families
By the Claus Post team · Updated 23 October 2026
In the UK, Santa Claus and Father Christmas are two names for the same person: the kind man who brings presents on Christmas Eve. The best name to use is the one your family already says. That is the name your child should see on any letter.
Why are there two names?
Father Christmas is the older English name. Santa Claus arrived in Britain later, mostly through American stories, songs and films. Over time the two blended into one figure. Today most British children hear both, often in the same week.
Which name do UK families use?
There is no single answer. Some families have always said Father Christmas, often because their grandparents did. Others say Santa, because that's what their children hear on TV and at school. Many switch between the two without thinking.
What matters is that it feels right in your house. A child who knows him as Father Christmas may notice if a letter arrives from "Santa".
When your child asks, "Are they the same person?"
Children notice. Here are simple answers that keep the magic:
- For under-5s: "Yes! He has two names, like Grandma is also Nana."
- For 5 to 7-year-olds: "Some people call him Santa and some call him Father Christmas. He answers to both."
- For older children: "Different countries have their own names for him. In England, Father Christmas is the old name."
Keep it light. Most children are happy with a short answer and move on. If they want more, turn it back to them: "What do you think? Which name do you like best?" Their answer often tells you which name to use on a letter.
Choosing the name for a letter
If you are sending your child a letter, think about three things:
- What do they call him? Listen to how they say it. That's your answer.
- What do they hear at nursery or school? If their teacher always says Santa, a Santa letter fits.
- Are there brothers, sisters or cousins? Use the same name for children who will compare letters.
Still unsure? Father Christmas has a gentle, traditional feel. Santa feels a little more playful. Neither is wrong. If the letter is for a niece, nephew or grandchild, ask their parents which name they use at home.
What changes between the two letters?
At Claus Post you choose the sender in your private form after ordering. Santa Claus and Father Christmas each have their own letterhead and signature, and the letter uses the name you chose all the way through.
Everything else is the same. Both are written about your child's year and come in a North Pole envelope with their name on it.
- Classic Letter, £12.95: the letter, a named envelope with a real stamp and twine, and 1 personalised gift label.
- Original Letter, £16.95: everything in Classic, plus a scratch-to-reveal Nice List surprise, a Nice List certificate with a red seal, and 2 personalised gift labels.
How we make it
- You order the Classic Letter or the Original Letter.
- You choose Santa Claus or Father Christmas in the short private form, and tell us about your child's year.
- We write the letter about them, signed by the sender you chose.
- You approve every word. Nothing is printed until you do.
- We print it on antique-coloured paper and post it from the UK within 1–2 working days of your approval, with free tracked UK delivery.
Next step
Does your family say Father Christmas? See a letter from Father Christmas, posted in the UK. Prefer Santa? Choose their letter. For more ideas, browse the Claus Post blog. Order by 16 December for Christmas.