Visiting Santa - anyone else’s DC not fussed?

[Letsmoveon]

DS(7) has always looked a bit blank and nonplussed when we have taken him to visit Santa. Afterwards he rarely, if ever, mentions the visit even when we have done one of those Santa/Christmas experiences that cost a lot more ie Lapland last year he’s only mentioned once (tbf we weren’t impressed either), Santa steam train ride with Santa visit, a couple of ‘Winter Wonderland/Santa’ experiences where you get to do multiple fun things, visit to a Santa in a garden centre or department store.

He’s now on the cusp of not believing, having questioned quite a few things lately, but I do wonder if other peoples’ DC are similarly not that impressed by these Santa ‘experiences’ either? Everyone else I know says their DC talk endlessly about their Santa visit/experiences and mine doesn’t seem to give a hoot!

We've done a few that were non memorable. We have one nearby that's impressive, Santa's accent, beard, activities and a good present. In a good setting. They love this so will do it again thus year as they do talkabout this and its probably the last year of believing.

We used to take ds to the grotto at his primary school fete and his expression morphed from 'mildly terrified' aged 4 to 'humouring you' aged 7. He really was never that bothered about FC and certainly never asked about him. Tbf we never did reindeer food or any of that stuff.

Imo the way to go is to do what you enjoy. I'm certainly not against commercial entertainment - our day at Universal Studios was probably the single best day of my life including getting married, having ds etc - but tbh children tend to enjoy life when you're relaxed and having fun. Hence at Christmas I do ivy-gathering in the woods, look at Christmas lights, have the neighbours round for mince pies and booze, and go to a carol service. A good time is had by all.

Mine knows they are not the ‘real’ Santa, apart from Lapland UK which she totally believed in, loved and still talks about 3 years later. I don’t think anything can live up to that for her!

Ds7 never enjoyed Santa visit. He screamed blue murder at every sighting of Santa until he was 3. Never wanted to do it and we didn’t take him. He has 3 younger siblings who do enjoy it and he has always gone along with the visit but never gone in. Do get some odd looks though 😁

We went to visit Santa for the first time last year (DCs 5 and 2). 2yo nervous of a stranger, 5yo chatted and liked the present but not overly fussed. I won't bother again. They would rather go to a light show. We have never really bigged up Santa though, so maybe that's why.

I remember feeling uncomfortable when I was taken as a child, so never bothered.

My 6 year old has never been interested in Santa visits, apart from if there's been one at a playgroup or something we're at and he goes up and stands looking gormless until someone gives him a present 😂

It is a bit weird if you think about it. In any other situation you'd do anything to avoid your child sitting on a the knee of a stranger in fancy dress.