Shops worth a pre-Christmas visit, displays, animals, Santa etc.

[Rhiannon]

I'll kick off with Van Hage's garden centre in Ware, Herts. Lovely Christmas decs. and lighting dept. Santa (free but they ask for a charity donation). Animal section outside. Cafe, plenty of parking just of the A10 (take the Ware turnoff but not the A602 one).

Springtime Nursery in Crews Hill (N. Enfield) is great fun. They have a Christmas ride (animated animals) it's lovely but not cheap at £5 per child. They have a large toy dept. (but what I'd describe as market toys not many labels). Lots of decorations, great fun but parking is limited, there are about 8 other nurseries to visit on the same street too.

[Selja]

My dh is from Washington but now his mam has died we miss going to the Metro Centre and Eldon Square. Living down in Portsmouth now where the shopping is really bad we used to do all our major shopping up there.

[Jbr]

My Mam said Fenwicks wasn't very good this year.

[Lizzer]

Ailsa, just to confirm that the Fenwick's window display is still as good as ever. I used to love going there as a child and to see Santa in the toy dept. I was in the Metro centre the other week just before 'Christmas' was officially 'open' (it was all happening at 6pm apparently, but I didn't stick around!), but from what I could see it was well worth a look round...

Kissing fish, eh?? Reminds me of an ex boyfriend of mine...

[Rhiannon]

Bron, no never heard of them! It sounds a bit grosss! They might be at Wildwoods? R.

[Ailsa]

Fenwicks in Newcastle upon Tyne used to do a great window display. I haven't been up there at christmas for a LONG time, do they still put on a display? Metro Centre also used to do a good display.

[Sis]

What a good question!( not meant as a patronising comment)

Did I read somewhere about tory tendancies?(sorry, if I'm getting you mixed up with someone else) It just shows that I really mustn't jump to conclusionsI haven't got any suggestions yet but am looking forward to the tried and tested results.