‘World’s gone mad!’ National Trust drops Father Christmas for Mrs Claus at Santa’s Grottos as festivities go woke
Santa’s Grottos up and down the country are swapping out Father Christmas for Mrs Claus, with critics slamming the switch as the “world going mad”.
At several National Trust properties, Mother Christmas will now be leading the festivities and taking the reins from her husband.
At East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley, West Yorkshire, families can take part in a festive story-telling session with Mother Christmas.
A similar Christmas read-along is taking place at Wallington, in Morpeth, Northumberland, with the National Trust hailing Mrs Christmas’s return ahead of “her wonderful storytelling in the House this festive season”.
Lacock Abbey, a country house in Wiltshire which is also a National Trust site, has had Mother Christmas at their festive events for several years now.
One worker told The Sun: “Mother Christmas isn’t confusing — the kids believe she is either Santa’s wife, or his mum.”
However, not all agree with the switch, instead insisting that the classic traditions should not be meddled with.
Donald Gomel, 42, from Glasgow, said: “From the Victorian age we’ve had Father Christmas and now we want to introduce Mother Christmas. It’s just mad.”
English teacher Sam Issa, 45, from Wigan, added: “For hundreds of years kids have got their presents from Santa. Why ruin a perfectly good tradition? The world’s gone mad.”
However, others were all for Mother Christmas taking the limelight, with Holly Dove, 34, from Bath, saying that Father Christmases could sometimes be “creepy”.
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“There’s just something gentler about a woman. I’d prefer my girls to be sitting on a woman’s lap definitely.”
But it is not just the National Trust that is swapping out Santa for his wife, with different festive celebrations across the country making the swap.
At the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Santa’s female equivalent will step in for her husband.
And the busy schedule for Mother Christmas doesn’t seem to relent. In Chepstow Castle, Wales, she will read a festive tale to children whilst also finding time to be at Ascot’s Christmas Weekend on Saturday.
Thankfully, she’ll be well fed throughout, with British Garden centres, a chain with over 60 sites, hosting a festive breakfast event with Mrs Claus.
The latest spate of festive fury comes just weeks after Boots caused a ruckus by showcasing Mrs Clause overseeing her elves in their latest Christmas advert.
In the TV spot, Mrs Claus – who takes over Christmas gift production after Santa falls asleep – uses they/them pronouns “Oh that’s very them” when referring to an elf.
The advert polarised viewers, with some slamming it as “woke”, whilst others said it made them feel “represented”.
One unhappy viewer said: “We are not impressed with your DEI makeover. Expect to make huge losses this Christmas as many of us boycott you. Go woke, go broke.”
Meanwhile, another viewer expressed their appreciation, adding: “This is a fantastic advert, as a woman and a Mum who organises our family Christmas alone, I feel strongly represented. Thank you boots!”
Speaking about the advert, Pete Markey, Chief Marketing Officer at Boots, stated: “As the UK’s favourite beauty retailer, we are on a mission to spread magic and excitement to beauty enthusiasts this Christmas, whilst also recognising the unsung powerhouses who make Christmas so special.
“This advert is the perfect culmination of both, and I cannot wait to see the reaction and help gift-givers find the perfect gift this Christmas.”
GB News has contacted National Trust for comment.