Everybody has their own Christmas tradition - whether it's been passed down from generation to generation or it was made up on the spot one Christmas Day. But two mums have been slammed for deciding to only allow their son to open one present from Santa per year, with their son's other presents coming from themselves or other family members.
They decided the gift should be something made of wood because "that's what they make in [Santa's] workshop". While they thought their idea would save trouble in the future if they couldn't afford presents one year, other parents condemned them for being "unreasonable" and claimed their "ruining" their son's childhood.
Taking to Mumsnet, one of the mums wrote: "Our son will be 20 months at Christmas and before Christmas last year, my wife and I had a chat about the whole Santa thing.
"We decided that we will give our son one gift from Santa, always something made from wood, and all other gifts will be from us or grandparents or whoever.
"We decided to do this so that if we ever got into a situation where we can't afford to buy many gifts at Christmas, we can tell him he won't be getting a lot because we haven't got the money.
"But we will always be able to afford something from Santa."
Despite their best intentions, the mums claim to have been called out by their friends who believe practically all the gifts under the tree should be from Santa.
She added: "I've been told a few times that I am being unreasonable and all the gifts should be from Santa and we will be ruining his childhood.
"I just don't want to be struck one day panicking because he's written a list and I can't afford to get everything for Santa to deliver.
"I'm not a Grinch or anything (I've been called one). I am Christmas mad. My siblings call me Mrs Christmas."
While their friends criticised them for their idea, Mumsnet users were a lot more supportive, with some even sharing their own traditions.
One user said: "In our house, Santa does the stocking - all other presents come from family or friends.
"The stocking contains small, fun presents that adapt as the kids have got older but usually some sweets, pens, pencils, socks, small books, maybe a CD, small toys."
Another user added: "I like the idea of a wooden present from Santa!
"Plus if all the presents are from Santa how on earth does he fit all the other kids presents in the sack as well?
"My children only have one present from Santa, usually the main present they've been after all year and then one main one from us and a sack they open in bed filled with various things from socks/sweeties to Books/DVDs and all manner of tat in between!"
A third user said: "Father Christmas has always done our stockings - everyone else gets credit for the presents they give.
"Don't worry about it - you do what's right for your family over this, and sod anyone who tells you otherwise."
What's your Christmas tradition? Let us know in the comment section below.
