why do folk pay a fortune and q to go and see a man dressed up in a red santa suit

[FluffyMummy123]

Message withdrawn

My mum wants us to go to Lapland next year, at approx £800 each I don't think so.

Quite.

Message withdrawn

I like what they're doing here- you pay £4 (per house, not child) and buy / wrap a small gift for each child in your bousehold, then on Christmas Eve a bit decorated carnival float complete with Santa comes to your bouse to delier- sadly we're not going to be in at the times they're running it, but might mkae an effort to schedule Christmas Eve around it next year as DS's (maybe not ds1 but the otehrs) will love it.

bah humbug!

I personally wouldn't, but I think its the same as any other tat you waste money on for your children.

Because of the pleasure it gives them

We went to our nearest towns Christmas market yesterday (which was OK and children love the extortionate funfair rides). BUT we had to deftly avoid a grotto that had sprung up in a disused shop on the High Street - it looked dire. I've no idea how much it cost.

I am taking the DCs to Lapland UK however. For which I've just read a shite review. [sour-face emoticon]

They've cancelled the Grotto at the school- I'm a bit sad but wasn't at that meeting so didn't get a say. (Can see it from the overload POV but the reason was that some aprents don't pay (er that'd be the poorer ones that dont get acknowledged then) and still 'get a freebie'- ah the spirit of Christmas and children receiving, still active then

because the children love it

Message withdrawn

Because they are not joyless meanies?

luckily my ds1 was/is terrified of sitting on the lap of man dressed up so have never had to pay got in the queue but he always bailed out just before

We do a trip on a steam train. Kids see santa and get (NICE) gift. We then get an hours trip on the train, with food, hot drinks and wine for the grown ups.

the 'Fat Controler' is there, elves and the man in red on the train. Lots of sweeties for the kids.

We love it, and meet up with some mates. It marks the 'official' start of Xmas