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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Booking Santa’s Grotto for 10 month old?

72 replies

Mum070322 · 22/08/2022 16:35

Is it a bit silly to book for a baby so young?

DS will be 10 months in December and is my first baby so I’m excited to make memories with him

i also haven’t been to a Santa’s grotto in a very long time and never from an adult perspective I don’t know if I’ll look a bit strange me and DH just standing in the line with a baby while there’s lots of excited children waiting to see Santa.

OP posts:

BooksAndHooks · 22/08/2022 23:10

We took ours from their first Christmas to get the photo. Lots of grottos do first Christmas visits now.

TheKeatingFive · 22/08/2022 23:21

Do it. There's no problem with the fact that it's for you not him. You're allowed to do things that give you pleasure too. One day you'll look at the photos together and you'll tell him all about the day you had - something else to look forward to. 🤗

NeverHadANickname · 22/08/2022 23:44

It will be for you rather then the baby at this stage so if it is something you want to do, or might regret not doing, then go for it! If the baby screams you have a story to tell on Mumsnet in a few years time when someone else asks the same questions, or the baby might love it.

hulahooper2 · 22/08/2022 23:53

I took mine at 3 weeks old , have lovely photos with Santa , go ahead and book it

ToGanymedeAndTitan · 22/08/2022 23:55

I love going to see Father Christmas 😁
As others have already said, your 10 month old wont really get much out of it as they won't remember ( 3 or 4 is when they start to get all excited about Christmas and the magic) but if you and DH will enjoy it, it might be a fun day out!

avamiah · 23/08/2022 00:10

My little baby is 12 years old now 😊and I remember we took her to see Father Christmas when she was roughly that age or slightly younger.

My daughter loved her sleep back then and she still does but as soon as we got into that grotto she woke up and screamed like she had never screamed before.🫣

So good luck 😊

User354354 · 23/08/2022 07:01

Go for it !!

dmask · 23/08/2022 07:15

It’s not something I’d do as I’d think it would be really awkward, but that’s just me! Is Santa supposed to hold your baby whilst you take a photo, or do you just show him the baby, or do the adults have a picture with Santa - sounds very awkward for Santa whatever you do? It sounds like it’s all about the photo with Santa as you can see pretty lights everywhere. In that case, one of you dress as Santa, then you can get a nice photo and your baby won’t be so terrified. Sounds like a more fun memory than the staged events like a grotto.

TheKeatingFive · 23/08/2022 07:28

In that case, one of you dress as Santa, then you can get a nice photo and your baby won’t be so terrified. Sounds like a more fun memory than the staged events like a grotto.

That just sounds a bit odd to me rather than a fun memory. But you do you and all that.

Though I'm not sure why there's an assumption the child will be terrified. Most kids won't be. That age is probably less likely to be than a bit older.

londonrach · 23/08/2022 07:30

Waste of time and money if anything like DD and other babies will scream at Santa..strange man with beard.

dmask · 23/08/2022 09:24

TheKeatingFive · 23/08/2022 07:28

In that case, one of you dress as Santa, then you can get a nice photo and your baby won’t be so terrified. Sounds like a more fun memory than the staged events like a grotto.

That just sounds a bit odd to me rather than a fun memory. But you do you and all that.

Though I'm not sure why there's an assumption the child will be terrified. Most kids won't be. That age is probably less likely to be than a bit older.

I mean the whole thing sounds odd to me, but I’ve no interest in going to see Santa. Maybe when the children get older and know who Santa is, but as a day trip for the parents - not really my idea of a fun day out, think I’d probably break his knee if I had to sit on it!

TheKeatingFive · 23/08/2022 09:30

not really my idea of a fun day out, think I’d probably break his knee if I had to sit on it!

I think everyone would be a bit surprised if you sat on his knee, in fairness 😂

LeevMarie · 23/08/2022 10:07

I've just read 'making memories' in the op and now I feel a little queasy . . .

Honestly, I think deep down you know it's a waste of time and money, which is why you've gone to a forum to ask the question. If you want to do it, however, go for it.

theruffles · 23/08/2022 10:15

Do it! I took my DC1 to see Father Christmas at 6 months old and DC2 at 10 months old. I know they have no idea what's going on and it's more for me than them, but we had some nice photos and lunch out afterwards. I didn't spend a great deal of £ on either trip since they didn't care either way but it was nice for the memories.

shreddednips · 23/08/2022 10:29

I think you should do whatever makes you happy, it's not doing anyone any harm even if it's not something I would bother with personally. All I will say is that, especially as things are likely to be grim this winter, I would personally save the money up you would have spent on these experiences for when your little one is about 3, then use the money to really splash out.

Your baby will have no idea, but doing this stuff with a 3 or 4 year old is properly magical. Took DS (3) on the polar express last year- I didn't enjoy the actual experience that much, but seeing him in his tiny pyjamas amazed by all the fake snow and beside himself with excitement at meeting Santa on a proper steam train was absolutely priceless.

DuggeeHugPlease · 23/08/2022 11:33

If you want to do it then do it. You won't be the only ones. I took my baby to a grotto that was like a winter wonderland walking through looking at the lights and decorations ending with meeting Santa. We all enjoyed it. She didn't scream, stayed with me the whole time and we still have the photo.

Yes she doesn't remember it - but I do! Also by that logic I'd never take her out of the house until she's 3 as she won't remember it anyway!

But back to your point book what makes you happy but don't worry about spending lots on the big attractions if there is a cheaper option - our local garden centre one is good.

strawberry2017 · 23/08/2022 11:37

I took my 12 day old to the local garden centre one. It was for the pictures. It will be something for her to look at, she loves looking at pictures from when she was a baby

Ponoka7 · 23/08/2022 11:38

I second a community based one. Our local garden centre has a small soft play and grotto whose profits go to the local hospice. Lots of babies are taken to that. Likewise soft play centres usually do a character day, so start looking there. They usually give a percentage to a local children's charity. As said the zoo/farm ones are good for little children.

Ponoka7 · 23/08/2022 11:39

As for those shouting about it being August, by October everything is booked.

KermitlovesKeyLimePie · 23/08/2022 11:40

YABU for "making memories"

berksandbeyond · 23/08/2022 14:54

I took my 3 month old. The pictures are adorable. We have been back to the same Santa every year since

PuddingBear · 23/08/2022 15:22

YANBU. Do it! You’ll have a lovely photo to remember 😊

We took our 12 month old to see Santa and absolutely adore the photo. It’s not pointless or a waste of money at all.

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