Santa visits - what presents did you get?

[GiveHerHellFromUs]

We took my little girl to see Santa before Xmas. We hadn't opened it yet because I'd left it in the car (oops!).

We've opened it now and she's enjoying her new rainmaker greatly - thanks Santa
She's also just smacked herself in the face with it.

She's only 7 months, to be fair.

What glorious presents did your kids get on their Santa visits? Please tell me it gets better

DD is only just 1 and she got a book - all the babies did. That was at a party for one of her baby classes though.

Rainmakers are great fun!

My 6yo doesn't like going to see Santa (she's selective mute so formal situations make her really anxious) but she did see him at school and got a book about unicorn poo - he clearly knows her well 🤣

The one and only time we paid to see Santa with her she got a Halloween themed puzzle which was a bit strange but she was happy enough.

We go to a local Grotto at a garden centre where they go all out - full on experience & you select the present at the time of booking (makes it much more relevant) & you give them info on your child so it seems like Santa really knows them - they are usually quite surprised! DD (5y) got a Secret Fairy Garden & was very happy, DS (1y) got a toy car & loved it.

That’s such a good idea to prebook a gift. That garden centre is well clever. And for health and safety it also means the kids will get a gift that appropriate for their age group not a “suitable for age five and upwards” gift for a three year old!

Happy kids happy parents what’s not to like!

Oh that sounds lovely @APurpleSquirrel!

You're right @BlueEyedFloozy, rainmakers are great fun, but I fear it'll be her favourite toy for a long time to come along with the drum she got from a relative!

We go to see a Santa where you tell him about the child via email first. You do a trail thing where you bake cookies with Mrs clause, Feed reindeer with the elves, ice skate with the penguins etc and At the end you get a ticket from Santa for helping him, to choose a toy from the elves workshop. In the workshop (it’s basically a toy shop wall with an elf behind a desk) they swap their voucher from Santa for any of the presents there. Last year she got a play doh set, my nephew picked a Lego kit and niece a toy dog. It’s a great day out

@sammy867 That sounds amazing day out, where is that?

It’s in adventure valley in Durham.

The first gift of Christmas.. one of the bells from Santa's sleigh! It only rings for those who truly believe...

Ours saw Santa twice this year.
DS(6) got a sand art kit & a spinning top game
DS(4) got a chalkboard set & pick-up sticks

School fair... A picture book. (Actually 2 identical ones, but I think it was an unlucky coincidence- however 8yo was a bit bemused by it)

Santa train... Colour in handbags. DDs love them

Our grotto only gives a bag of sweets so no gift, suits me though as generally I've found the gifts to be a bit rubbish.

This year was first we have been to for a few years as I took youngest (9 months) to see Santa.
Was lovely age appropriate (0-5) event with cookie decorating, story telling, card making.
Baby DS got a 'That's Not My...' Book, some Reindeer Dust and a tube of Milky Buttons.

It was so hard not to overbuy for my 6 yo now that she understands Christmas and actually has a wish list. We ending up buying 2 Disney type dolls, small notebook, a puzzle, a stuffed animal, hat and gloves set.

We went to the farm where Santa gave you a voucher to take to the elves workshop and you could pick any gift from there.. Ds picked a tractor and trailer - there was everything from boardgames, to cuddly toys to Dinosaurs so a good choice.