To not invite my DDs friends.

[Julz1622]

I have booked a socially distanced visit from Santa and Anna and Elsa on Christmas Eve for my daughter (8) and the baby (10 months) I live in a block of flats, and I was telling one of the mum's of one of daughter's friends about it. She said oh let me know what time they are coming and I'll send 'name' across. She has also told a few of the other mums on the block. Now I know some people will think I am being selfish, but I've paid £50 for them to come visit my daughter, I don't want all the kids congregating and ruining it for my daughters.

I’m sure you’re child will think it’s all the more exciting when the local kids are watching 🤷🏻‍♀️

You book something to take place in public - you don’t get to choose who comes to watch. Your own fault for being a big mouth with your neighbours!

I personally think Santa is bad taste though. I was in a pub last Xmas eve where a group of 20 had arranged for “Santa” to turn up with presents for about 16 kids in their group. A lot of younger children were watching, and some cried at being left out. I suppose right on your doorstep it’s a bit more obviously “exclusive” than in that pub. The group was large and spread out, and even adults were ask each other if the pub had put on a surprise Santa. Was just embarrassing all round - and I’m glad I wasn’t explaining to a 5yo why Santa just ignored him.

I’d just have gone with Anna and Elsa anyway. Overkill.

But whatever you go with - you don’t get to control who comes for a nosy when you do it on the street.

Can believe someone would pay £50 for 'Santa' to knock on your door and hand out some sweets .... must be a great opportunity for people looking for jobs .

Surely people will see Santa arriving and will stand around to have a look, you can't stop the neighbours, and how long will be outside your door for ? .

Are the girls close friends, does she often spend time at your house and visa versa?
I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it tbh, the whole street will be out in waiting now and it sounds like you don’t want to share the experience with anyone else.

Covid logistical distancing nightmare now.

Tell her the wrong date (following day to booked date), and explain after it's happened that they asked, last minute, if they could bring the visit forward.

I don't think you should have said anything op, it sounds like you were bragging, and if they can't afford a visit themselves, it is quite sad for their children.

I would tell 'Elsa' the issue, and ask her for advice. Maybe say for covid reasons big crowds are not allowed but maybe Elsa could wave to the other children from their front doors on the way to the car?

How does Santa know Anna and Elsa? That's my main concern.

I think your friend is being incredibly cheeky, and it's not your responsibility to make her kids happy, but this is inevitably going to end up with someone else's children asking why Santa visited your house and not theirs.

I found the suggestions that you should meet Santa away from the house at the local park very amusing. Perhaps instead you could meet Santa in the dead of night, in a car park?

Of course it’s Scrooge. What would Scrooge say if someone asked him to share something? “No! I paid for it!”

This is that. The OP can do what she likes, of course.

Can I have some of your money please? If you don't share it then you're a Scrooge.

Yanbu I would just say sorry its only booked for my household for covid reasons. Then give her the details so she can book herself.

slashlover

Don’t be silly. I am charitable with my friends and neighbours. It’s not a big ask. It is indeed tight to take a “who paid for it?” line when it comes to kids and Christmas.

Have never heard of this, but I dod remember a grumpy 'Santa' at a London department store as a child.
He asked what I wanted, and I said ''A Pony, please, or a Rocking horse''

He mumbled some nonsense , and I received a 'present' from one of his 'Elves'...A plastic whistle.

Dad made a scene about the whistle being 'A pile of junk for the price of the 'Grotto'....and I received a tin spinning top that reminded me of the whole ghastly experience.

Santa is best left to the imagination, he too often is fallible when played by a man dressed up.

I dint think you’re BU a such but if the children on the street see Santa and Elsa and Anna on the street, of course they’re going to come running out! Even the ones who didn’t know in advance. Then they’re all going to be disappointed when only your DD gets sweets from him. I think it would be fine if they were going straight into your house but to do it in the street is just asking for trouble!

@flaviaritt

slashlover

Don’t be silly. I am charitable with my friends and neighbours. It’s not a big ask. It is indeed tight to take a “who paid for it?” line when it comes to kids and Christmas.

Come on, you’re having a laugh now! Do you share or buy crimbo prezzies for all your neighbours kids too, as they might be disappointed if yours got more than them???

This is why you dont open your gob @Julz1622.Too many entitled people looking for a freebie.

Do you share or buy crimbo prezzies for all your neighbours kids too, as they might be disappointed if yours got more than them???

No, I don’t. But I would if I knew of a child who wasn’t going to get any presents, and I don’t rub what my children get in the faces of others who get less.

OP, if you really want to do this without anyone else being involved, book a room/hall for an hour and meet them there.

All too often with these things {Reindeer in public places} Santa is trying to control reindeer and looks far too 'Human' and hung over.
He disappoints children by not being genuine..They can see a dressed up man at a hundred paces.

Re gifts and sweeties... Little kids don't understand that their parents have paid, and gifts aren't for all.

Reminds me of a Victorian tragedy where ''Gifts'' were promised to attending children {Victoria Hall Disaster}..The children had paid their Penny entry fee, but saw gifts being given only to those nearest the stage.
A rush ensued, and 183 children lost their lives.

Never underestimate a child's sense of justice and disappointment.

It is probably best if no gifts are given.

@sapnupuas

You can't exactly stop them, can you?

Of course she can stop them. How cheeky to just invite their child to something OP has organised for her own kids.

OP we’re not supposed to be mixing so you shouldn’t be having other people there anyway.

The whole thing is weird. Santa and Elsa ( how do they even know eachother?) standing on your doorstep and handing over some sweets for £50.
I wouldn’t be too happy about loads of other kids joining in but if it’s in a corridor in a block of flats I imagine its impossible to stop them
I don’t get either the concept or the logistics

It's one thing for other kids to see them arrive and be excited. It's another to have the whole block of kids turn up at OP's door half an hour before, having been sent by their parents who want a free ride. And you know that's what will happen if word gets around of the day and the time. Which means no surprise for OP's kids, and a lot more Covid risk, which might put the actors off completing the gig.

So no, OP. Either tell them that only the booked children are allowed because of Covid, or just give her a false date and time (after the real one)

I can’t believe that you get Santa, Anna and Elsa on Christmas Eve for £50!

Sounds like a bargain.

I think you need to nip that in the bud and just say it’s a special experience for your children and mention COVID rules. Lovely idea.

I think you need to nip that in the bud and just say it’s a special experience for your children and mention COVID rules. Lovely idea.

This is what I would do!

But realistically how are you going to stop the other children from coming out to look at Santa? Obviously Santa can't come into your flat and there is no way you can stop other children from standing in a public place watching what's going on. .

viques you call £50 a bargain? I am sure some students or anyone with a bit of initiative and a Santa suit could have a go at doing this sort of thing.

OP I don’t think you are being unreasonable at all you have organised something for your kids and paid for it. They will only have enough sweets for the children they have been paid to see. If the other parents want the same for their kids they will have to organise it. I would be fuming if I was you.

Definitely rude of them not to ask BUT the idea of Father Christmas turning up on the street (especially after such a bloody miserable year) and the kids pressing their little faces to the glass and not being able to go out and see him because you only want your children to have the experience...

Well, it’s all a bit Scrooge, isn’t it?

Not really. If people want their kids to get a visit from santa, they can book one too.