To be sad of the demise of Selfridges and Harrods xmas grottos...

[IamSlave]

I am sad that our capitol cities, two largest and most popular xmas grottos have let everyone down.

Selfridge don't bother with it now, and Harrods you need to spend loads of wonga in there to be in with a chance of getting a December booking.

Its a tier system so the more you spend the more time they give you to book, nov and dec weekends are already long gone.

I thought it was understood that families who do not use Harrods as their local store year round, go specially at xmas, to have that special air of being in an uber expensive place.

Its a public service!

I'm in West Yorkshire. I won't miss it if I'm honest

You need to spend loads of wonga in Harrods! Who knew?

Actually their toy department is fine, its not THAT expensive, but we look and buy on line. The toy department is very good fun to visit, without buying anything, lots of demo's buzzy atmos.

It doesn't mean its fair though, surely to have to spend lots of money so children are able to access the famous Harrods grotto experience?

I just thought lots of DC would go as a really special treat....

The Harrods one was never that great even when I was a kid. I used to prefer the one in the co-op in Dartford.

Hamleys one is supposed to be good.

Loads of garden centres do them and usually the money goes to a local charity which is surely much better than Harrods profiteering ?

Personally I can't think of anyting worse than queuing up with 101 other families to visit FC in a department store, luckily I never let on to my DC that such a thing existed !

just had a look Akiss, its £45 quid.

wow.

Why do you have to spend loads of money? I used to take our dc every year when they were little - on a weekend - and I never spent any money in there. Just used to book as soon as the website opened up for bookings. And I trust you are joking when you describe these grottos as a "public service" and a "very special treat". There are lots of nicer, local Santa grottos around.

That is v sad. Selfridges was brilliant. I have taken the kids to both.
I totally agree with you op.

Are you American ?

Its Capital not Capitol . Just saying .

Unexpected yes you used to be able to do that, now you have to register with their " rewards" system.

The more you spend the earlier you are able to book with the grotto. So for instance, spend thousands you will get priority booking much earlier and liklier to get dece dates.

Remember the selfridges window displays? Nw THERE is an enormous loss to our Christmas joy. They were magical!

Have you thought of cutting out a Grotto ? I hear Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is good . . Might take my own DSs this Year.

Agreed coraltoes

No I am not joking, I believe xmas is a time when those who cant usually afford it -get a little glitz and glamour in their lives,

I only went once as a child, not sure how old but I rememberer the amazing window displays, the smells, the atmosphere, I also remember the local efforts and I couldn't compare them.

I think the Selfridges one stopped after they were sued a few years back when someone slipped and was injured.

Too right that if you spend more money you get priority. It's not a public service, it's a business.

We have not done a proper grotto at all yet Rachel, so this is why I was quite excited this year only to see you have to be rich now to get access to one of those ones anyway.

Winter wonderland is OK, chose your timing carefully, ie NOT Sunday afternoon close to xmas.

Not a problem I'd worry about. Harrods is an expensive shop, I'd expect it to be expensive and TBH if you are a regular customer spending the kinda money that gies through their tills I'm not surprised they pander to you with this kind of thing.
My DS has only ever been to the santas grotto at nursery (which was a disaster when he punched Santa as he decided he wasn't the real one ) but he firmly believes in the magic of Santa & Christmas . We just don't fork out cash and waste a precious Saturday afternoon queuing up.
We spend our energy & money on other special Christmas stuff instead.

Lapland uk? Expensive but cheaper that spending £1000s in Harrods!!

Thanks IamSlave , will keep that in mind :)

Yes but Wonky, its a tenner! Thats not expensive, they have managed for YEARS to do a xmas grotto on a normal, everyone first come first served basis.....to visit the grotto is cheap, but to actualy get a chance of booking it - its now expensive

Is it something to do with Quatari royals buying it?

I spend nothing at all in Harrods, but I have booked 6 tickets for an afternoon in December.

It cost a grand total of £10, which I thought was a total bargain.

What!!! How did you do it?

When were you able to book them?

They sent an email when the slots were released to us non-spending mortals on 12th September. There were loads left.