'Simple' Father Christmas grottos - where have they gone?

[PlumpAndDeliciousFatcat]

I have an autistic child who literally cannot cope with sustained excitement. He needs short, lovely experiences which he will then reflect on for months. His absolute ideal would be the sort of grotto experience I remember from my own childhood: briefly queue up in a department store, five minutes with FC to tell him if we've been good and what we would like for Christmas, and then off to do something else. £10 absolute max.

I don't know if it's my region but almost everything around here seems to be hours-long 'experiences' costing a minimum of £40 per child - making reindeer food / decorating cookies with Mrs Claus / meeting the reindeer / watching a show, and only then getting to see the big man, by which time my DC would be in a full overstimulated meltdown. Even the usually reliable places like John Lewis have realised that they have higher margins if they pack children in for breakfast or tea with Santa and they've all been booked solid since November.

The local shopping centre is pretty much the only place with simple grotto and they are solidly booked until Christmas. Meanwhile every children's farm we've ever visited has sent me an email with a discount offer for their 'experience' as they are clearly struggling to sell tickets. I am hopeful that the tide is turning and there might be a return to traditional, short grottos.

Glad you've found somewhere OP. I was thinking exactly the same, when I was a kid we just went to the local garden centre, paid about £3, queued up through the Christmas section and got 2 minutes with Santa and a selection box or similar.

I've started to pay attention to what's in our area now I have a baby DS and it's all 'experiences' and/or you had to be in the online queue on the day it went on sale like flaming Glastonbury tickets. Even the bloody department store is very limited sessions and sold out weeks ago.

There's one at the venue we got Married at so given that it's much more for us than him at this age we've stumped up the £15 for the sentimentality (and the venue is a charitable concern so at least they'll benefit).

Have you looked at National Trust places. We had the most amazing one for the last year we did it and while DD already had doubts, she really loved it.

Very simple, no fees for photos, you could or could not do a craft activity and a simple gift.

Edited as I see that you found something, but maybe for next year.

I find loads of 'simple' Santa's grottos

It's all we've been to this year

We went to a small charity fair where there was one. £1 and got a toy and chocolate selection box.

Went to an animal charity fair where there was Santa. W didn't go to that one but that was £10 you got a toy and A professional photograph.

There was a church fair that had a Santa too (we didn't go to that Santa).

There was another little fair that had a Santa. That was free and you got a snack bag.

There's one in our shopping centre which is free but you can give donations to the hospice. You get a squishy ball or a little chocolate treat.

And there's the garden centres too
Which aren't all booked up no

I know there's a simple one in the library too

And the 'real' (really realistic) Santa comes to visit the other shopping centre on one day the last couple of years. No present you just get to meet him.

This all sounds great. Perhaps it varies by region.

A church Bazaar would be good if they have Father Christmas though I would think they are all finished now. But for future years an idea

I know you've said you've found something now but I would recommend the Dobbies grotto even if the time isn't ideal. It is nice and not too long.

Totally agree about the ice cream

Hi, I know you have said you found something but you mentioned you were in the northwest… (I know it’s a big area!!) the dobbies near me has a miniature railway with a Christmas train which you just turn up and pay for on the day, I believe FC comes and sees the children briefly on the train - I’m talking garden centre train not a great big railway so would be good for what you are after. Dragons miniature railway - search on Facebook for more info.

Glad you found something. I guess it varies in regions as there are loads where I am. Even when not looking for them we’ve come across them at various places.

Barton Grange near Garstang was disappointingly simple this year for us, but sounds like exactly what you want. They're also doing an SEND day on Thursday. It's £26 but the presents are decent and Santa was very lovely.

I have took my dd to a lovely relaxed Santa's grotto in West Sussex today. She is very shy, barely spoke to Santa 😔 but he was very kind to her. I didn't pay a penny either, so these grottos do still exist.

London zoo one isn’t a long experience but obviously it’s an add on to your zoo ticket. They are amazing with SEN kids too and turned off the Christmas music, flashing lights for us.

The local private school uses the fancy garden centre FC, I went when DC were in nursery with a friend who’s kids went there and it was amazing for £5 and the photo of toddler DS on FCs lap is fab! Might be worth looking at similar?