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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have expected a bit more from Harrods' Christmas Grotto?

31 replies

quaffer · 28/11/2010 22:19

DH and I took DS aged 5 and 2 today. Booked it in September and was really looking forward to it thinking it would be a nice way to kick of the festivities but I'm a bit disapointed and don't understand what all the fuss is about. There was no grotto just a corridor to queue through with Peter Pan (the theme for this year) wallpaper and Father Christmas was ok but he really didn't play the part that well. He was very slim and his beard and hair were obviously fake (and he had really hairy arms peeking out of his robe!) and he told DS1 that if he didn't give him eye contact he wouldn't get a gift!

It was free and I can't complain about the service. The staff running it were friendly and efficient and we queued for less than 10 minutes so AIBU to expect a bit more? The grotto is advertised as THE one to go to and there are whole threads on here devoted to how good it is so perhaps i was expecting too much?

OP posts:
ShanahansRevenge · 28/11/2010 22:23

Are you kidding me? Father Christmas said THAT to a 5 year old! I would be penning an extreme letter right now if I were you!

Free or not...it has Harrods name on it...I dont think they would be pleased with a Santa who said that!

londonmackem · 28/11/2010 22:24

We went last year and I didn't find it very festive (wizard of oz theme). However, santa was lovely and gave mummy a chocolate coin! My daughter was 4 months - sad I knbow!

BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree · 28/11/2010 22:25

I went to the Selfridges one wiht the DS's 2 years ago - it was fab (though a long queue even though we had tickets)

kreecherlivesupstairs · 28/11/2010 22:25

I can't believe that, make eye contact or you won't get a gift.

catfunt · 28/11/2010 22:26

surely your kidding about the eye contact?!!

we're supposed to be going and theres no way in hell DS will make eye contact, hell it takes him all his time to make eye contact with me!!

and a corridor? even the local garden centre has nice things to look at when waiting.

am hoping our much lauded treat for the children isnt a total disaster....

edam · 28/11/2010 22:39

Harrods is a rip-off. Only worth going if it's a. your local store or b. you are a tourist who enjoys being relieved of ready cash.

Original poster
quaffer · 28/11/2010 22:49

Nope, not kidding about the eye contact bit!
DS1 who had been running up and down the corridor prior to going in suddenly went shy when he saw the big man and began speaking in a whisper, looking everywhere other than at him and he said something along the lines of "if you don't look at me and tell you what you'd like for Christmas you won't be able to have this present" (a Peter Pan ladybird book btw). It was meant in an encouraging way but it just jarred a bit with me because as catfunt says there aren't many young children who do make eye contact with complete strangers easily and you would think FC (or actors employed to play him!) would know this! We went to Selfridges last year and have been to grottos at garden centres and zoos and those FCs were a hundred percent better making an effort with the kids, asking their names and at least speaking to me or DH if the kids didn't play along

OP posts:
catfunt · 28/11/2010 23:01

hmmm might have to reconsider going, am fully expecting ds to not say what he wants going by previous years and i dont want to put him off FC!

Original poster
quaffer · 28/11/2010 23:13

don't let me put you off! we were in the "wendy" room and i saw at least 4 other doors so it's highly likely you won't get our FC and your experience will probably be completely different to ours.

OP posts:
Menagerie · 28/11/2010 23:15

No, YANBU. We went on its centenary expecting the works and it was dire.

Beamur · 28/11/2010 23:18

How strange.
Our local toyshop has had a brilliant one for the last couple of years but is not doing it this year - but we've booked to go to one at the National Coal mining museum...

Nancy66 · 28/11/2010 23:19

Harrods is tacksville - it's overpriced tat for tourists and nothing more.

Rockmaiden · 29/11/2010 03:00

I would be fuming!

My son is autistic, good luck demanding eye contact from him.

RockinRobinBird · 29/11/2010 03:31

Oh bum. I've booked this for dd and a couple of friends next week. I'm going to look a prize prat if it's rubbish :(

hifi · 29/11/2010 11:24

we booked and queued for and hour friday night, it was hell with dd nearly 2. in and out in about 5 mins. went to selfridges last year and it was a lot better.

edam · 29/11/2010 11:28

Rockin, go to Selfridges instead.

lollyheart · 29/11/2010 11:34

Oh no we're going on the 23rd of dec. we went a few years ago and it was ok but the dc are older now so will hopefully enjoy it more.

I'm just excited that we get to go to hamleys to spend the dc birthday money Grin

FindingMyMojo · 29/11/2010 11:35

Ah I don't feel bad I couldn't get a ticket for DD now! We went & looked at the windows in Harrods (Peter Pan) and Harvey Nicohols (70's trashy Xmas) last week - lovely!

Lovecat · 29/11/2010 11:54

Oh, ffs, I'm taking DD on Wednesday... is it really crap? I remember taking my niece to Selfridges when she was little (15 yrs ago now) and it was magical - I was expecting Harrods to be FABULOUS! (I need want some fabulousness in my life right now!)

Tikiinasantahat · 29/11/2010 12:12

I would also be very angry about the eye contact thing 2 of mine have SN and would not be able to do eye contact. You should call and complain.

DastardlyandSmugly · 29/11/2010 12:30

PainshillPark in Cobham is the best santa I've ever been to by far. We're going for the third time this year and it's absolutely magical. You walk through a forrest with lots of little follies to a chalet where you wait with mulled wine, hot chocolate and colouring books for the elves to take you through the santa. He is sitting in a actual grotto with stalagtites and stalagmites and is so twinkly and lovely. I couldn't recommend it enough.

OhCobblers · 29/11/2010 13:10

i'm afraid i realised a few years ago that the Harrods one was a real let down so have been going to Selfridges ever since.

at least with Selfridges you get the tiny train ride and and it all looks rather magical rather than the Harrods corridor.

mippy · 29/11/2010 13:15

I was taken to Lewis' in Manchester when I was little. I was quite sad when it turned into Primark a few years ago. With the journey, and a trip to Chinatown afterwards, it always seemed a massive treat.

StayingDavidTennantsGirl · 29/11/2010 13:23

The best Father Christmas that we ever took the boys to see was on the Cutty Sark. You waited in one of the bigger rooms on the ship (a map room or the officers' mess or something - it was a few years ago, and I can't exactly remember), and saw FC in a cabin - he looked very authentic and was great with the boys - a total success.

nickeldonkeyonadustyroad · 29/11/2010 13:24

WE're having Father Christmas visiting us on Saturday - it's being put on by the local Retail association, and cos we're doing it in the church tower, it should be lovely.

I've hand-picked and wrapped all the presents! Grin

(they have to pay, though, but the gift is worth more than the price they pay iywsim)

Sittingbourne, if anyone's interested (raising money for the Christmas lights andthe annual St george's day event)

oooh, i sound just like a flyer! Blush

your harrod's one saound disappointing. :(