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.

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

And Bob Cratchit can buy his own turkey.

God no. How rude to invite yourself to something like that! If she or anyone else asks just say "it's a 1 household rule because of covid" or " sure, its £50 per child so do you want my PayPal and I'll see if they can adjust the booking".

Cant believe anyone would think you're a scrooge

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

What the OP describes is these entertainers standing in a public place. How exactly does she get to commandeer that close for the duration of the entertainment and prevent other children from using it? Surely if you are going to do a private event that exclude other people from a shared area you need to get the neighbours' agreement in advance? The only thing the OP can reasonably control is who gets a sweetie bag.

I don’t think you are being unreasonable at all. My parents have booked for Santa and an elf to visit their garden on Christmas Eve. It’s for upto 3 children, the kids have to stand inside the summer house and characters remain outside.

Who are Anna and Elsa?

Thedarknights what you describe is a totally different thing. That is an event taking place in a privately owned space to which other children have no right of access.

The OP otoh will be using a public space from which she cannot reasonably (or even legally) exclude other people. She lives in a flat and the entertainers will be using a shared close. It's like my deciding I'm going to throw a party on the pavement outside my house and nobody else must walk down that stretch of pavement or stop to look.

Who the f* are Anna and Elsa?

Your daughter is eight for goodness sakes, not three - how embarrassing will this entire shindig be for her. I'd have disappeared for the day if my parents had organised something so insulting to my intelligence.

@Julz1622

If there had been an offer of perhaps I can pay a little towards it then I wouldn't mind, and I'm honestly not a selfish cow, but I just wouldn't dream of inviting my daughter round if she had told me about it, but that's just me. Also the close we live in isn't exactly spacious. If they turn up and all the kids and their parents are out they will probably turn around and leave. I think I'll just not mention it again and if I'm asked when they are coming I'll just say I'm not sure and hope they don't see them 😂 not gonna happen I know but never mind. Thanks for all the opinions, x

Also the close we live in isn't exactly spacious. If they turn up and all the kids and their parents are out they will probably turn around and leave.

Well they're bound to be out and showing an interest and there's absolutely nothing you can do about that.

Unless this is their very first gig, I'm sure Santa, Anna and Elsa will cope.

Hopefully they'll be a bit generous with their time and speak to the other kids too, once their booking is over.

OP, I'm assuming you're Scottish, as am I, given your use of the word 'close': think you might have to explain that for non-Scots.

@jesstan1
Do you mean to come across as so rude? If so, good job.
There's really no need, people have enough shit going on without random twat keyboard warriors piling on. This year, any joy and fun we can get should be embraced.

@Ragwort

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.

I think for three characters, who have to travel to the property, have forked out for decent costumes, wigs and makeup it is a bargain. If you work it out per hour they aren’t making much. Though I now see they only stand outside, wave and hand over a couple of bags of sweets, so not a lot of interaction.

I googled a Santa visit and the one that came up looked really good, really lovely costume, he sang, interacted, AND you could get reindeer (though all the reindeer slots have been booked already ) I would expect to pay a lot for him!

Everyone saying once the other children see them arriving, they'll run out of their houses and crowd the street or the op's door, how many of you let your children have free access to the front door and street?

Op's neighbours can just keep them in and not be such cheeky fuckers.

Your daughter is eight for goodness sakes, not three - how embarrassing will this entire shindig be for her. I'd have disappeared for the day if my parents had organised something so insulting to my intelligence.
I feel really sorry for children who are forced to grow up too quickly as this is what pond life it produces. EIGHT years old and you're basically laughing at a child who is a CHILD who is enjoying the magic of Christmas. Something is embarrassing but it's not this 'shindig'

Who are Anna and Elsa?

@MagicSummer
Really?
They're not my kids demographic but even I know who they are.

Well probably be back in the 'rule of six' and you can easily refuse the other children. Households shouldn't be mixing, particularly more than 2, so imagine if you had several children from other flats all piling in!
It will also cause problems for Santa et al if they can't keep distance from others outside your flat.
If they see him from their front doors, then great! I'm sure Santa will wave etc. But I agree with you, you've paid and arranged it, it's for your child (baby won't have a clue tbh).

You have booked and paid for it. It’s an experience for your family.
If the other families wish to do the same for their children they are free to do that themselves.
I think it’s 100% find to keep it to just your family.

12:04flaviaritt

You were being utterly ridiculous. This is a business. What happens when they only have sweets for the clients they have booked to see? Or do you expect them to pay for others out of their own pocket?

I would just change the date to earlier and not tell anyone. YANBU

You were being utterly ridiculous. This is a business. What happens when they only have sweets for the clients they have booked to see? Or do you expect them to pay for others out of their own pocket?

No, I am not being ridiculous. It’s not rocket science for them to hand the sweets to the parent who booked.

and Bob cratchitt can buy his own turkey

No one else owes him a dinner 🤷‍♀️

jessstan1

You don't know much about little girls. They would sell their parents to see Elsa and Anna under any circumstances.

Honestly if they're just coming to the door I'd cancel it tbh.

Yes it will quite possibly ruin it - they come to your door then are mobbed and distracted by a pile of other kids appearing alongside them clamouring and parents asking if they can 'just get a photo with little Billy' etc? No thanks.

Also just weird, awkward and stressful for you to have to potentially shoo other kids away if yours aren't getting a look in.

It just won't be the same experience. And yes you'll be fuming that you paid out for it!

flaviaritt

Not rocket science at all. They would obviously do that. You're just complaining about his stingy it is not to include all children and here is a situation where sweets will be given to a select number of children... Not an experience that would be desirable.

Oh, you want the OP's kids to miss out on the present giving aspect and just get given the sweets later by their parents?!

Yes you're being most ridiculous and stingy yourself.

@96315id some little girls would but not all, my DD would have hated it and really struggled when she was younger because people generalise so much about what little girls do/must like. Clearly this also applies that some boys would also love to see Frozen characters. Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now!

Despite the above, clearly the OP had booked something that her DD, never mind her age etc will love. @jessstan1 that was uncalled for rudeness.

You shouldn't have opened your mouth about it, your neighbour probably hadn't realised you were just bragging and assumed you telling her was an invitation seeing as you are all in the same block of flats and its outside so therefore a communal area i presume. I'm sure the actors won't appreciate a flock of children surrounding them during covid but again you shouldn't have opened your big mouth.