Father Christmas Visits are so expensive

[Jumpers4goalposts]

AIBU that a trip to visit the big man in red is getting so expensive. As a family we like an experience visit get us in the festive mood. But looking now (rather late) to book something for DD7 and everything is so expensive and I have a huge fear that it will be rubbish.

So AIBU it’s once a year and you get what you pay for, or
YANBU it’s so expensive what happened to the magic?

also any recommendations for a fab Santa visit which is more of an experience rather than a 2minute chat and a box of chocolates. We’ve done LaplandUK (amazing but sold out), longleat, polar express and Celtic manor which we really enjoyed. Also have done Chessington which we didn’t like so much.

@WitchyBits need more people like you guys in the world.

He's not "too old" for Santa, he just spotted that the Santa at the local animal park last year looked and sounded completely different to the one in the same spot the year before (and different again to the one at the Rugby Club Christmas Party). He knows it's someone in a suit even though he still believes in the real one.

My DCs are far too old for Santa visits but when younger I never bothered with the like of Santa trains, polar express or Lapland uk. We always did a festive visit to Beamish, your ticket was valid all year and you just paid extra for a grotto visit last time we went it was £7 per child, it was a lovely visit and each child got a traditional wooden toy and some reindeer food. The last few years we’ve continued to visit beamish but just not done the grotto.

That’s why in our house the majority of them are elves just helping out as the big man is a big busy. But occasionally it might just be the real one.

Local village fair, you can see 'Santa' for free. Same for a lot of primary schools. Because my eldest is/ was TERIfiED I probably haven't ever made a big fuss. But even for the other two. It's NOT worth spending big money on! There are so many light shows, markets, Christmas plays, tractor runs, etc to share as a family that they will remember for significantly less money, you want memories, not of stressing about ££

I've always wanted to do the polar express with the kids but it's nearly £300 for a family of 4 after the 8th of December which I think is ridiculous

Even the snow dome for 4 would be best part of £80

I'm going to see about Beamish - I did see Bamburgh Castle we're doing one but it's £30+ per child and you have to buy a castle ticket on TOP of that I think (unless I read it wrong!)

Good for you. Mine won't buy it.

My mum friend group chat is already full of pumpkin picking and Santa visit chat. Honestly I think it’s just another opportunity for people to show off with photos on social media. Not saying I’ll ever take my DD to see Santa, but I think every year is over the top. One of my favourite Christmas memories as a child is driving round a local town to look at Christmas lights in different houses, or on Christmas morning when my mum and dad had a very convincing Santa up the chimney. Neither would have cost them a penny.

People are talking about it because tickets are on sale now, which is convenient, particularly for Santa as December gets very busy very quickly.

I know a lot of families with small DC, all of whom do a Santa visit of some sort and most of whom do something for Halloween - and I can think of one who posts anything on social media. Some of us just like to mark special occasions with a family day out.

Our local garden centre is charging £26 per child and £23 for babies

Tickets always come out this year and the "cheaper" slots always sell out fast - like the train ones as anyone with kids not at school will snap up the mid week ones as they are so much cheaper

I had a look at a few places - whitehouse farm in Northumberland but that was £45 per child!

Everything is as expensive as you're prepared to make it - visiting 'santa' isn't essential. Alternatively seek out cheaper local options, as some have said.

Maybe they need to to cover costs like insurance etc, however I'd be giving that a big miss (even if I had young kids and bought into the whole santa thing).

@rosesareredvioletsareblueaimverytiredandsoareyou
That's outrageous pricing!
At mine you don't even get a photo in that price they take it on your own bloody phone

Like everything else it's probably a money spinner....😔

It won’t even just be that either. They have a VR Santa ride visible as you come out so the kids will want to go on that and that’s another £6 each

Yes, it does all seem a bit grabby now. In terms of Santa visits, our favourite one last year was through Sneaky Experiences- I don't know if you have one near you, but they book out a stately home and run an immersive theatre show (last year was The Nutcracker) through the building and then the children meet Santa at the end- a proper, traditional Santa sat in front of a huge tree. The presents were really good too.

We go to the Panto and to a light trail every year too which makes us feel Christmassy.

Last year we did a reindeer safari too, can't say we saw a lot of reindeer but it was a fun evening.