How many Santas and Christmas experiences do you visit?

[Mountainviewse]

How many Santas and Christmas experiences do you visit?

None,I think they are horrible and my children find them creepy.

When DS was young enough we'd just do one, usually a Santa train at one of the steam heritage railways. Expensive but worth it as it's far more than just a photo with Santa and a cheap selection box! Some of them do carol singing on board, some had a small band on board, sometimes there's a magician, all along with a present, mince pie or biscuit, drink etc. A proper day out rather than a quick in/out after waiting in a queue. Another time we did a Santa who had his grotto in a real underground cave which was "different"!

In 12 years we've done one Christmas experience which included a Father Christmas visit. There've been a couple of random Santas at other events - garden centres, a village fete - but not planned things arranged by us. That's it.

Do them if you want, or don't! But it's not compulsory or essential to a 'magical childhood'

Is this a joke? Why would anyone do more than one Santa visit?

No it’s not a joke.

None, I can't be bothered,

One but this year we are doing two because I booked a farm visit for my kids yesterday and Santa was there. Didn't realise it at the time...

None.

I used to take them to a grotto and spend loads and then go to some of the local Christmas fairs and they would see Santa there too, which was usually a lot cheaper. However, this year only 2 of my kids still believe as others are older and my youngest is scared, so I only have the one interested in seeing Santa. We all went to a Christmas fair in the local church hall and she went to the grotto there. I wouldn't be paying out for the expensive grottos now regardless, the prices are ridiculous. One near to me would have worked out at £250 for our family and that's without the photos.

One a year. They cost a fortune and book up in the summer round here. Surely it confuses children to see more than one a year?

When DS was younger we tended to do just one Santa visit, the train steaming ones were really good

Though I do see through the dreaded FB people who are doing 'experiences' virtually every week

We’ve done one Santa visit and there will be a Santa at his nursery party which I think is enough.

Not something we do at all

I remember when we were younger we used to visit him in the village shop. I'm not too keen on all the expensive meet santas now but we do one at a zoo but it is really lovely. The children get a passport and go around doing different activities and collecting stamps in their passport. They make a cookie, reindeer food, a Christmas marshmallow, decorations ect. It's a really lovely day. Other than that we visit Garden Centers but don't do the meet Santa, go on festive walks around the village and do crafts at home. I'd like to do one of those light walks but haven't booked one.

Two. One with DH side, and one with my side. Then a panto. My side choose cheap, DH side go expensive. The kids love it. I have wondered if they'd be just as happy going for a walk through the woods with cousins, and we could save the cash. It's the people rather than experience that makes it.

When DSs were small we often ended up doing two. We loved the Winter Bricktacular at Legoland and then DH’s work did a magic show and Santa affair for staff children.

One Santa visit every season, in a local department store, which was surprisingly lovely: very patient, nice FC, cracking photo, nice little gift.
We did one in a garden centre around 4 years ago, Santa said DS was spoilt and looked like a girl. So that was fun.

We've never done any Christmas excursions, days out etc, but this year there was a light show we could see from our front window, so that was very cool.

We usually just attend one big Winter Festival.

Thanks all

In total for experiences and Santa, we've done a school fair, Blenheim palace (but not the lights as they hate the walk in the dark) and will be doing a day out at a museum including santa this year.

I was looking today. But tbh, I think the prices are absolutely ridiculous now and not something I’m willing to pay. Usually do it once. But I’m looking for a cheap Santa somewhere and there doesn’t seem to be any that isn’t booked up!

Only the panto

That is creepy in itself!

We don't do Santa things as we're Christian and feel that is an unhelpful addition to Christmas. We do Christingle services and nativity plays. We will do Christmas light trails.

One a year max really unless you count Santa turning up at the school fair.

I’m not sure children seeing multiple santas every Christmas is helpful to keeping the “magic alive” tbh