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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not take kids to see Santa

28 replies

headlock · 15/12/2019 12:22

They've both seen Santa at school and nursery already.
There's so many grottos and seems like so many eateries are now offering breakfast with Santa etc.
We have done these things in the past but I can't help but find it totally OTT. This time of year is busy enough.

OP posts:
Hulagirla · 15/12/2019 12:24

I’d take them if they want to go

Original poster
headlock · 15/12/2019 12:25

They haven't mentioned it.

OP posts:
P1nkHeartLovesCake · 15/12/2019 12:25

It’s only something you can do for a few years while they are young and believe.

It’s a bit of magic for them hardly OTT

Yes it’s a busy time of year but Christmas is magic for children and I don’t know any parent that doesn’t do a Santa trip

Hulagirla · 15/12/2019 12:27

I’d ask if they want to go to one and if they do, I’d take them. Wish I could still take my little ones to see Santa but they’re not little enough anymore! Appreciate all the time you have while they’re small

Marriedwithchildren5 · 15/12/2019 12:28

They've not mentioned it. They've seen him at school and nursery. Why spend the extra money when you dont need to.

BearHunting · 15/12/2019 12:28

Given that they’ve already seen Santa at school and nursery, I’d only take them if they say they want to go see Santa again.

icecreamsundae32 · 15/12/2019 12:29

I'm not taking my 2yo as she was terrified last year and she's recovering from pneumonia so I don't want to chance her catching something else when she's run down. Next year I will take her though.

PumpkinP · 15/12/2019 12:30

Since when do they have santa at school? Never heard of that

purpleme12 · 15/12/2019 12:31

It's not necessary. It's nice sure but not necessary. There's a free one in our city centre (there's a bucket outside to put money in for a charity you can put as much or as little as you want in) so it's not fancy and you don't get a present. But the Santa is good there. I don't know if there's anything like that where you are but mine is certainly quite happy with that and hasn't asked for anything else etc. And she only knew about that cos we passed once she wouldn't have asked otherwise

purpleme12 · 15/12/2019 12:32

(and if they've seen him at school then they've already seen him anyway actually)

Original poster
headlock · 15/12/2019 12:34

Yes, I really do get the 'magic' and love Christmas. But, by the time Christmas arrives it can all feel too much. They're already excited for Santa coming with presents for them and we've done letters to him.
I've got some lovely crafts for them for Christmas Eve.
It's me, I think I just feel guilty if I don't do it but feel it's not needed.

OP posts:
WhereverIMayRoam · 15/12/2019 12:34

I think if they’ve already been twice that’s plenty, save the money you’d have spent and put it towards a different family day out or treat. Tbh I think multiple Santa visits takes from the excitement really so I always tried to limit to one or two (allowing for say my works children’s Xmas party and then a visit with my dm who liked to do a Santa visit with them too).

Original poster
headlock · 15/12/2019 12:35

@PumpkinP at the school Christmas fair

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 15/12/2019 12:38

I can't afford a 'proper' Santa visit this year. By proper I'm thinking ones you have to pay for where they get present from it.
I know it doesn't impact on my child. I know she wouldn't have asked about it ( as above we've seen a free Santa and that was because we passed it)

tillytrotter1 · 15/12/2019 12:39

You're very unreasonable to use the word 'eateries' though!

PumpkinP · 15/12/2019 12:44

Oh ok there wasn’t one at our Christmas fair so didn’t realise that was a thing!

Original poster
headlock · 15/12/2019 12:50

@tillytrotter1 that was me getting them all in one word but your right!

OP posts:
BearHunting · 15/12/2019 19:09

At our old primary school, the PTA used to pay for a Santa to come into school and give a small gift to each child on Christmas party day.

Pipandmum · 15/12/2019 19:12

If they haven't mentioned it don't bother. Mine only went to or three times as there was a grotto where we got our tree. But how many santas can a kid see in one year?

elQuintoConyo · 15/12/2019 19:21

We do one per year, that's enough. This year we're doing:
Xmas market with FC (€3 fab gift, book of puzzles AND sweetie cone!) 2 weeks ago
Thing at school
School concert (singing, they don't do nativities)
Panto on 23rd (gifted to us)
Christingle on 24th

We have one DC aged 8. That's more than enough and he's bouncing off the ceiling already what with the tree and decorations and lights in town.......

AG29 · 15/12/2019 19:22

If they’ve seen them at school or nursery I wouldn’t worry too much. DC seen him at the school Christmas fayre. Wasn’t the best grotto in the world but they didn’t notice.

There are so many grottos around these days. When I was a kid we’d go to the local garden centre but now there are huge magical things going on which also cost a bomb.

LittenKitten · 15/12/2019 19:22

They have seen him. Yanbu.

CuteOrangeElephant · 15/12/2019 19:24

My DD (2) is seeing Santa at her nursery and that will be it.

I tried to take her to see another Santa, but she kicked off. I was lucky I hadn't paid yet!

myself2020 · 15/12/2019 19:26

My oldest -5 at the time - figured out that santa can’t be real after a visit to a grotto.... so if you want them to believe, don’t take them

purpleme12 · 15/12/2019 19:28

@myself2020 why did she figure it out? Just cos he wasn't in the North pole or because there's multiple Santas here?
I have thought about this before mainly because there's multiple Santas and they don't look exactly the same but mine still believes

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