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.

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.

True. It's pretty much an enclosed space so completely different to kids standing out on the street.

Yes you're being most ridiculous and stingy yourself.

Oh right.

It's pretty much an enclosed space so completely different to kids standing out on the street.

Ok, so it's an enclosed space that belongs specifically to this one flat in the block of flats where the OP lives? How does this work?

Some really grabby people on this thread. This is a treat OP has booked for her own children - not every child on her estate.

It's really cf behaviour to try to join in for free, let alone tell other people so that they can send their kids too.

I'd try and change the date and not mention it again

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.

A close is generally an enclosed area so not outside.

Also, is telling someone something now bragging? If I tell someone I'm taking my DN to a panto (pre-covid) then am I bragging and secretly asking them to join us?

Awww we are doing something similar but it’s Santa and elves. I done it for the whole square though, I would still would have paid the money just for DD would rather it be for more kids to get my money’s worth tbh 🤣

@LadyJaye

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.

I'm English and live in England.

I also live on the corner of a close

Ok, so it's an enclosed space that belongs specifically to this one flat in the block of flats where the OP lives? How does this work?

It generally an enclosed space with lots of doors leading off of it. If the neighbours kids go out into the enclosed space then the actors will be perfectly reasonable in leaving and the OPs kids will not get what she has paid for.

@ElizaDeee

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.

Most of us with a child over the age of about 7 I should think?

No, I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t even ask to join in with an offer of chipping in because (as you say) you’ve booked this for your children alone. I would just take my daughter in the other room and privately think you were really stingy
Stingy for not putting on a christmas treat for the whole block / street?

Some folk always want something for nothing.

Do you expect to be able to take siblings to parties they aren't invited to as well because it would be stingy and mean to only have one child attend?

i think its a shishow waiting to happen

santa turning up on any street would bring kids out and if we're supposed to be not in groups still will be a nightmare for them how can santa say dont come near me you moght have covid

actually i dont think the company have these things through

@jessstan1

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.

Maybe, just maybe she knows her child and knows that this is something she would love. People are normally quick to criticise when kids grow up too quick. Can’t win.

England here, and I would say a close is like a cup-de-sac, properties around a small dead end road.
I presumed a different meaning from the OP, imagining a communal indoor area with flats leading off it, like a hallway.

*cul-de-sac

I'd send them a link to book their own and think no more of it. If I saw the neighbours having this for their kids I wouldn't assume that meant I was entitled to send mind over to join in. Some weird virtue signalling on this thread.

Mumsnet will tell you you’re right, but I think it’s mean. I’m always more the merrier though, even at my own cost. That’s the way I’d want my children to be as well.

Explain that it's not a good idea because of covid. No need to lie.

Tell the neighbour you've changed your mind and cancelled. Then go ahead with your plan in peace.

It would be very rude and unfair to Anna, Elsa & Santa to invite half the block only expect them to be paid £50. That is not what they agreed to. How can anyone even think that would be ok.

It generally an enclosed space with lots of doors leading off of it. If the neighbours kids go out into the enclosed space then the actors will be perfectly reasonable in leaving and the OPs kids will not get what she has paid for.

So how does the OP get to decide she and her family have sole access to this shared enclosed space- that's the bit I still don't get? What if each of the families whose door opens onto this space then decides to get entertainers in?

@Mrsjayy

I agree or my neighbours have a bouncy castle will I just send the kids over for a bounce

To be honest, I’ve never had a bouncy castle and NOT offered the neighbours kids a go.

I’ve paid for it already, Might as well get max enjoyment out of it, it’s not costing me extra to let them have a go 🤷‍♀️

Call the team up. Explain the shape of the space and ask it can be done safely and how much extra they would charge. Pass that on and see if others want to chip in to make it a bigger thing.

Making it bigger without checking and paying is super cheeky to the actors.

It won't be exactly what you had in mind but it might be more fun for your daughter this way.

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.
DD is 9 and would love this.

That's going to be incredibly awkward now OP because people will see it and send their kids over. Is there any way you can arrange to have the visit elsewhere? Even if you have to stand outside a relatives house and not go in?

I think it is ill thought out and ostentatious particularly if you resent other children noticing.