errr... is it me or Santa's grottos are just awful?

[tostaky]

Went to see one in Epping Forest today and it really wasnt worth the £6.50 i paid for. Ok DS got a nice book but FC didnt say much and i dont know... i didnt look "magical" iykwim

Then went to ikea for something and there was a santas grotto there too. Paid the £2.99 to get a picture (forgot to ask for pic with first one) but FC didnt say anything again, didnt interact with DS... i could have been a fake FC, it wouldnt have made a differnece!!

I went to one in Cardiff City Centre last week , was so grim and tacky.
Cost a fiver , had to queue for half an hour, FC was good, ut present was tat!

God they are crap are'nt they,dd1 had santa visit at school then went to the wacky and they had one there too,she asked if she could see him but i told her that if she saw santa too many times before christmas he would'nt have any presents left for christmas day

went to a garden centre one today, was a fiver so tenner for two dcs
they enjoyed it but i find the whole thing a bit awkward
at 3 and 5 i didnt think the dcs were as in awe as they should have been and three yr old was lunging towards. the sack of presents

The one at Painshill Park in Surrey is amazing. You walk through a forest with lots of follies to a swiss chalet where you get mulled wine, hot choc and the kids get things to make and draw. You then get called in to see Santa and he is sat in an actual grotto with a lake and stalagtites and stalagmites. Last year he was a really twinkly Santa too. We're going at 16:00 on Christmas Eve and I can't wait - it's really magical.

Another vote for Painshill, I love the walk back through the park with torches.

Yes torches are a good idea Pixie. We forgot ours last year and navigating the walk without is pretty tough!