Yesterday I found a picture which is approximately 18 years old of my oldest daughters and me visiting Santa’s grotto.
It made me realise I have been doing the annual visit to see Santa for a long time and I’m not sure I’m aging too well, but OMG! Five children gives you grey hairs! Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of my son and I visiting Santa, and at 17 years old I think he is a bit too old, haha! I did suggest we go together to get that all important memory, but recieved a very blank look and a “really dad!”
So yesterday the time had come for our festive visit with our four year old twin girls to visit Santa’s grotto and I think my wife and I were more excited than the girls! This year we went all out and dressed in Christmas jumpers and my wife even had Christmas leggings!
Santas grotto was at our local garden centre, Pughs garden village. We have been there for the last couple of years and it is always really well organised and this year was no different.
We arrived early which after last year was a miracle because we nearly missed our turn last year, but no chance of that this year.
We waited just outside and then the elf came along for us to the board the sleigh for our trip to the North Pole. The girls loved it, especially when the rockets were ignited!
We then carried on into the first room when the girls had to throw snowballs into a barrel to open the doors to the elfs room.
Once in the elfs room they were given some jingle bells and they all Sang Jingle bells, and saw the little beds that the elves sleep in, in addition to the big fireplace with stockings hanging from it.
We then entered the forest where there were robins and they had to find and count the dragons.
Finally the moment had come to meet Father Christmas in his grotto. With his helpers all around, the children were called up by name and got to sit next to Santa and chat to him and say what they would like for Christmas. R and M’s confidence since being in school and a year older was incredible to watch, there was no shyness and they happily said what they wanted and gave Santa Claus a high five!
We had a family photo taken in all our Christmas jumpers and then the girls had one taken on their own with Father Christmas. That really was a first. They were both given certificates to show they had completed elf training and then it was off to choose their present.
The presents were exactly what I was expecting. Basically cheap rubbish, but when you are four who care? They certainly don’t!
My only cricistism was that the toys were laid out in a very gender fashion way which people will know really irritates me. Why are we giving our children no choice, but to pick a toy based upon gender? Let children decide what toys they want without restriction.
The twins personality and characters are so different. R picked a Star Wars type of laser and M picked a princess doll.
Overall, it was another successful and enjoyable visit to Santa’s grotto and it keeps the magic alive for two four year little girls so it was well worth it.
