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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:
RavingAnnie · 17/12/2021 22:36

Tub! Fun!!!!

Bagelsandbrie · 17/12/2021 22:56

I’d set it up but make a space in the middle for some small wrapped presents / chocolates etc.

CloMo1995 · 18/12/2021 07:10

I brought my oldest son (9) a hornby train set for Christmas, and I really want to set it up for him so it's there on Christmas morning, but with my 5, 3 and 1 year olds being in the room too, I think santa will wrap it and I'll help him set it up in his bedroom later on in the day lol!

Twilightstarbright · 18/12/2021 07:22

I’d assemble it in that situation.

LondonWolf · 18/12/2021 07:27

Years ago when ds was into Thomas his Mai present was a Thomas table with specific set to fit on top. It was set up with all presents round it. He barely looked at anything else once he saw it. It wouldn’t have had the same impact if wrapped and set up after. Thanks for reminding me of his face 🥰

GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal · 18/12/2021 07:28

@Elfonthesofa

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.

I was once setting up a Playmobile splash park for my DD late on Christmas Eve - I knocked over my glass and accidentally filled the pool with Prosecco.

OP, I cannot believe there are any answers on here other than "set it up"! Definitely set it up, ideally with a battery powered train going round the track. So magical to wake up to!

Gladioli23 · 18/12/2021 07:34

I think there's a big difference for me between things where the set up is part/most of the fun (Playmobil, brio train sets, Lego etc) and things where the set up is a painful necessity never to be repeated (trampolines). For the latter setting up seems best, but for the former I think Father Christmas would leave the child to have that fun themselves.

lisaandalan · 18/12/2021 07:51

Set up. X

actiongirl1978 · 18/12/2021 07:56

@Gladioli23 there is nothing fun about setting up playmobil.

My DH spent several Christmas mornings swearing under his breath assembling a playmobil fire engine, police station etc etc...

Lego is a joy for DC to assemble, playmobil is for parents and almost impossible!

But I would assemble the track assuming it is Brio, we did this for our DS many years ago.

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 18/12/2021 08:23

I was going to say what Gladioli said. If setting up will be difficult and stressful definitely do it in advance. Brio or similar I'd have the fun of unwrapping and just make sure I'd cleared a place for it to go if possible so it can be set up and left out over Christmas.

We had some Thomas trains when my DC were little - they definitely needed doing in advance. They took ages of meticulous putting together for about 5 mins actually playing! Somethingike Brio the fun is in doing the tracks and everything anyway.

MrsDeaconClaybourne · 18/12/2021 08:26

Absolutely agree about Playmobil actiongirl. Had quite a bit over the years - the very definition of hope over experience! Someone on here recommended superglue in the set up which I think I'd do if I was starting again. We always lost all the little bits as well!

reluctantbrit · 18/12/2021 09:19

@MrsDeaconClaybourne

Absolutely agree about Playmobil actiongirl. Had quite a bit over the years - the very definition of hope over experience! Someone on here recommended superglue in the set up which I think I'd do if I was starting again. We always lost all the little bits as well!
DD's playmobil castle was definitely hold together by superglue. All larger sets were set up in advance, smaller ones DD did herself with. help.

Lego is totally different, the main thing is building it.

LadyCatStark · 18/12/2021 09:39

Oh you set it up for sure! If it’s Brio, he can easily change it.

Original poster
Jingleballsjellyballs · 18/12/2021 12:15

Yes it’s brio! I think I’ll have a go at assembling and if it looks good I’ll leave it out but if my train building skills are poor maybe FC will leave it for DS to build Xmas Grin

OP posts:
Pascha · 18/12/2021 12:19

At his age and with a starter set of wooden track is set up a basic circle. Or figure of 8 if there's a bridge and leave some track for him to add himself.

For future reference almost every wooden track from any brand fits with almost every other so you don't have to stick with Brio or whatever next time you buy some.

Pascha · 18/12/2021 12:23

There's a great YouTube channel where they used to set train track up all the time. If you can get past the mums voice it's actually quite cute and good for ideas.

Couchbettato · 19/12/2021 13:06

FC will be setting up my son's train set but lord knows when.

I'm loathe to spend Xmas eve night assembling things whilst worrying my little one will wake up from the excitement.

Now I know why my nan would give us a hot chocolate with Bailey's on Xmas eve.

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