Are you still planning to visit Father Christmas this year?

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As the title says really - are you still planning to take your dc to visit Father Christmas this year? I’d usually be booking our visit around now, but there doesn’t seem many options out there yet. My kids will be 8 and 5 so this could be the last year that our eldest might want to do this. Also concerned about Covid/social distancing so not even sure if we should be booking anything? In the past we’ve booked Father Christmas in a woodland setting, Father Christmas train ride and Father Christmas at National Trust places. I’ve seen Harvester are doing breakfast with Father Christmas, but not sure if this would just be a bit naff. I’m near Liverpool if anyone has any recommendations. Thanks everyone.

We will probably do something Christmassy outdoors rather than visiting Santa, I’m thinking of maybe the lights at Wisley or Kew.

I doubt you'd be able to. It would be putting someone generally older at risk. My community events are all cancelled this year.

Nope. A bit disappointed as my oldest has just turned 5 so felt like it was the perfect year to finally go "Full Christmas". Although to be fair, a part of me hates the idea of Santas grotto. Why would Santa be around in December when he's supposed to be busy making toys, and why would he give you a random naff present that might be something your child would never be interested it?

That said I'm very disappointed that I probably won't take them to see the Christmas displays and other things I'd usually take them too, gutted actually :(

We usually book one at a farm near us, they also do a massive scare event for Halloween which they have just announced they are cancelling. I cannot see how they can do what they do at christmas, socially distanced, and it still make a profit for them.

I don’t know if I could cope (my 5 year old might not mind) with seeing Santa & his elves wearing masks.

nah. DD1 is only turning 2, and DD2 will be about 6 weeks at christmas. Neither will notice, and I just think I wont be able to relax. We are thinking of making FIL dress up as Santa. He has a white beard already so why not? Lol

We have tickets for Christmas at Kew but fully expect it to be cancelled. I know our local xmas lights turn on has been cancelled. I doubt there will be much to do this year.

We've booked for Lapland UK. I fully expect it to not happen and we have insurance in case it does but any of us are ill or self isolating. Haven't told the DTs at all and won't until the day before.

@Friolero something outdoors sounds like a good idea. I’ve looked at Dunham Massey, but all of the weekend tickets are already gone and unfortunately we don’t really live close enough to go on a week night after school. (It’s lights so needs to be dark).

I've booked Dobbies. If it's cancelled it's cancelled. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@SqidgeBum getting your FIL to dress up is a fantastic idea!

I love Christmas and we usually do lots of activities with friends and family. Guess it’s just going to be very different this year.

@waitforitwaitforit have you been to Dobbies before? What’s it like? Do you end up standing in a massive queue? Thanks.

Santa is too old, he'll be cocooning. The last thing he'll want is a load of kids climbing all over him.

No I don’t think we’ll be able to. Very sad as it would be our very last year but just don’t see how it would be workable.

I've booked for the snow dome. But also aware it could be cancelled. Silly as it sounds I feel better having something booked if that makes sense. Haven't told DS though just in case.

OP what about the lanterns at Chester zoo? You don’t get to meet Father Christmas but it’s a nice festive experience..
Last year we went to Church Farm on the Wirral which was an outdoor thing. On their website it says they plan to go ahead this year but tkts not on sake yet/ details tbc..
Guess with all these things there’s a risk it will be cancelled

*on sale

Nope and I’m gutted! It’s been a tradition, like many other families, for a long time. Last year we had a new baby with a milk allergy and so our Christmas celebrations were sort of hampered by projectile vomiting and DH had to do lots of the stuff with our five year old. So this year I had planned for us to go on the East Lancs railway for their Christmas special and also Dunham Massey. However, like another OP mentioned - all weekend tickets for that have gone. I also don’t think the rail way can go ahead with people coupled up on a train for a few hours. Maybe next year?!

@LostMyRubySlippers yes, I’d thought about Chester zoo, might look into that a bit more. Will keep an eye out for the one on the Wirral too. I’ll book using the credit card just in case it’s cancelled.

@LostMyRubySlippers sorry, forgot to say thank you.

Lanterns at Chester zoo all sold out for weekends already. There was one Sunday that had 7:45pm but that’s too late for our 5 year old before school the next day. Thanks for the suggestions though everyone.

Yes. It's been booked for a couple of weeks now. It's one we've done 3 times before but they've changed it to slow social distancing.

Can't see many grottos being open. So sadly I think we'll be giving Santa a miss. SD Santa just doesn't sound like fun.

No! He doesn't exist.

@jessstan2 I thought so too until I started bringing my dc to see a particular Santa and got goosebumps. He’s an older man, with a glorious beard and a bit of a weight problem. And he’s just full of joy and wisdom. My dc haven’t been believers for a couple of years but we still visit, and lots of teens do too. He has a way of talking with the dc on their level.
I’m quite sad to think he won’t be able to be there this year.