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Christmas

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Original poster

How does Father Christmas leave a train set

42 replies

Jingleballsjellyballs · 17/12/2021 21:05

My son has asked FC for a train set for Christmas and I’m looking for ideas on how to do it. Do you think FC would set it up? Plonk stocking in the middle? Leave it un-assembled? I’m having a mind blank

OP posts:
gamerchick · 17/12/2021 21:06

Set up ready to go.

ProudThrilledHappy · 17/12/2021 21:06

How old is dc? Depending on age they may prefer to be able to start playing straight away. If older they may prefer to set it up themselves

parrotonmyshoulder · 17/12/2021 21:07

I think he’d set it up, unless the child is a setter-upper. Guessing it’s more Brio age than Hornby?

teachermummyme · 17/12/2021 21:07

Set it up for maximum excitement! I love those traditional pictures with a train on a circular track around the tree. That would be cute, especially if you get a battery operated light so that when he gets down and sees it a train is going round and round!

Mrsjayy · 17/12/2021 21:07

Santa would definitely set that up.

Spinxsta · 17/12/2021 21:07

What sort of train set? If FC was being a brio, for example, he might wrap the tracks nicely in a box and leave the train on top with a bow/ribbon.

Newmum738 · 17/12/2021 21:08

I'd leave it boxed if it was me. Setting it up is part of the fun!

MoonlightFancy · 17/12/2021 21:09

We tend to set up big / main gifts and leave the smaller items for unwrapping so a train set we’d set up.

thistimelastweek · 17/12/2021 21:10

Depends. If son is an only, Father Christmas would set it up. With lesser gifts strewn around.

If siblings in the mix, leave it in the box.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 17/12/2021 21:10

Train in the stocking, track set up through the presents

TremendouslyJolly · 17/12/2021 21:10

Set it up around the base of the Christmas tree, it will be magical. Does it have space anywhere to pop some chocolate coins or a candy cane?

MrsLeclerc · 17/12/2021 21:10

He bought DS (2) a train set last year. He set it up in front of the tree and put a big bow and ribbon on it.

As PP said if DC is older/enjoys the setting up, let them do it.

Puppymania · 17/12/2021 21:11

Set it up, that's what we did. You need to be up until at least midnight setting it up, that's the law. Have a great Christmas day Xmas Smile

YesItsMeIDontCare · 17/12/2021 21:12

I think Santa doesn't have time to set up train sets for children on Xmas Eve. It'll be the elves. They might leave some fairy dust around though while they do it - that's how you know it's the elves. They only set the track up though, they let the children unwrap the engines themselves.

Cryingbutstilltrying · 17/12/2021 21:12

Depends on space and other kids. Setting it up might be fun for Santa, but I know my ds would have pitched a fit about that. Also with 6 other kids around that morning it would have been hell. So it stayed in the box until we went home (were at grandparents). These things NEVER go back in the box nicely 😩

ProudThrilledHappy · 17/12/2021 21:13

@Puppymania

Set it up, that's what we did. You need to be up until at least midnight setting it up, that's the law. Have a great Christmas day Xmas Smile
Im having flashbacks to putting up DS’s trampoline in the rain at midnight with a torch one year…
JustLikeaJingleBell · 17/12/2021 21:28

Yes definitely set it up

MrsSkylerWhite · 17/12/2021 21:33

(How old is he? Has he seen Polar Express (I hate that film but it’s relevant). If he has, up and running round the Christmas tree, preferably with a bell to ring before it goes.

Otherwise, box is fine. He can build the track with you and become invested in that.

The most important thing? Whichever you chose, play it with him Smile

reluctantbrit · 17/12/2021 22:17

DD got a biro set when she was. 3. We set some tracks with one engine up, covered it with a sheet and wrapped more engines and the box with the other tracks in paper.

She. could play straight away but it didn't. took up. too much space. It also didn't take long to set up, compared to the playmobil. castle. 2 years later (2x. 2.5 hours and lots of booze to get the bloody thing. assembled)

Original poster
Jingleballsjellyballs · 17/12/2021 22:19

DS is almost three and an only. A real mixture here! Maybe FC could build some and leave it unfinished for DS to add to?

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 17/12/2021 22:20

@Newmum738

I'd leave it boxed if it was me. Setting it up is part of the fun!
I agree with this, though I suppose it depends a bit on age. My daughter had a Brio set for Christmas when she was 2.5 and we left it in the box.

She enjoyed helping to build it on Christmas morning.

santabetterwashhishands · 17/12/2021 22:23

Santa left my sons train set set up with a thin blanket placed on top 👍🏻

Elfonthesofa · 17/12/2021 22:26

It's not really Christmas until you've been sat up all night on Christmas eve trying to assemble kids presents whilst drinking baileys.

My particular favourite was when my DC went through a playmobil stage and I built the entire Ghostbusters set, including the firestation.

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 17/12/2021 22:33

Evening, all. We've moved this over to the Christmas topic.

RavingAnnie · 17/12/2021 22:36

I'd definitely leave it in the box. Half the tub is setting it up surely, even if it's with help if mum or dad!

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