PFB met Santa this weekend
Paid £20 for a photo , meet and a toy.
Grotto was pretty ( if a bit rushed)
“Greeting elf” was stellar, award winning enthusiasm
But
Santa and photograph elf were terrible!?
I don’t think Santa even said hohoho? He may have been mute? Silently handed a present from the pile. Didn’t really try to engage with the baby.
Had to ask if he was going to hold baby for a photo.
So baby sat , fairly unbothered for the first minute or so , whist I assumed the skinny teen elf would try and get a snap - nothing - elf just starting about blanky unaware of baby’s time limits for such things
Eventually the baby started to squirm, and I asked if he was ready to snap yet?
Got baby to smile - elf talking to a staff member.
Finally presented a blown out photo of ME holding baby ( unflattering for both me AND PNB!)
Was so upset and asked the management for another photo attempt at least :( the female manager took one look at my distressed face and went “oh dear PNB first Xmas, I’ll better get another snap!” ) so that was something.
Santa still mute but teen elf jittery and needing prompting but took a slightly better photo.
Was I ?/AIBU? Are all grottos like this ? Do you need to hit Harrods to get a vaguely Christmassy experience? Is this just the start of paying for children’s things that are a let down - welcome to the club? If it’s digital and you have a time slot- what’s the harm in taking a FEW photos and letting you decide which one at the booth?
YABU - it’s not a professional shoot and it’s not actually Santa you’re meeting.