Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

so angry and upset..all over santas grotto at HARRODS what would you do?

65 replies

laughinglil · 16/11/2005 12:33

Hello as alot of you know I am a mum to twin dd/ds aged 20 months. I am so looking forward to christmas this year because they have started to understand what it is all about.
Anyway... on saturday dp took the twins over to see MIL and FIL. They all ended up staying the night. (which was very weird because I got to relax! hehe)
I went over on the sunday for dinner meeting them all there and MIL was telling me how much the twins loved the trip to the garden centre seeing all the light up father christmas and the flashing lights.
She then told me how at the end of November when santas grotto opens at Harrods she is taking them. She had already ordered them new matching baby dior outfits and shoes to go there with!
Me and Dp stood there stunned. he didnt know anything about it either but he thinks its a lovely idea.
The thing is she didn't even ask me ? I really would of loved to have been the first to take them to see Santa but why o bloody why at harrods and whats the need for matching baby dior outfits!!!!!!
I don't know what to do!!!!

OP posts:
doormat · 16/11/2005 12:59

agree with others posters who advised to go somewhere else first and then let them take them
it will give you both a break also.

Original poster
laughinglil · 16/11/2005 13:00

its open already bet the women doesn't know that..sure she will soon though ! she can pay for the photo!

OP posts:
Avalon · 16/11/2005 13:02

ll - I don't think you should feel grateful though. Mil's going to get more out of it than your kids.

FWIW I too would be upset and would take them somewhere else first.

ggglimpopo · 16/11/2005 13:03

Message withdrawn

compo · 16/11/2005 13:05

Perhpas you could say that as it will be very busy in Harrids around Xmas time tat you and dp would like to go too - then you can help out when they get scared.

Stilltrue · 16/11/2005 13:10
  1. They will either not enjoy all the queueing, and be baffled by the Santa, or be plain terrified of him.
2. Harrods will be really busy and hot/stuffy. 3. Yes she's annoying, but capitalise on having a break from your clearly much-loved little ones. Do some Christmas shopping without the distaction of your twins, or go to a lovely spa for the day, or the gym or something.

They really will understand so much more next year when they visit Santa with you...

MalorySuzannahAtTrinnyTowers · 16/11/2005 13:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oliveoil · 16/11/2005 13:13

see, this just underlines how common I am, dd1 has 'written' a letter to Father Christmas on the sheet that came free in the Asda Christmas gift catalogue.

Harrods and Selfridges my arse.

chipmonkey · 16/11/2005 13:14

I agree with Aero. Tell her you want to be the 1st to bring them to Santa, after all you're their Mum.

fairyfly · 16/11/2005 13:17

Same hear Oliveoil and the only Dior my kids have heard of is the one they shut to stop the draught when i have no electric.

tissy · 16/11/2005 13:18

I would let her take them, if she is daft enought to want to spend that kind of money on them- they won't remember anything, and she will have a photo of twins (and Santa) in Dior outfits to coo over for the rest of the year.

I have never taken dd to see Santa (though a very poor imitation comes to her nursery, and is seen through by all the children!). The whole point of Santa is that he comes in the night on Christmas Eve and you don't see him. I tell dd that all the Santas you see around the place at Christmas are just people dressed up. She still believes in the real one, though.

oliveoil · 16/11/2005 13:22

lol ff

They say it dowah round here .

Passionflowerinapeartree · 16/11/2005 14:09

I'd be jealous and annoyed like you at first, but then I'd let her take them. Face it, it's going to be the outing from hell. My DD1 is still scared witless of Santa and she's five.

Passionflowerinapeartree · 16/11/2005 14:10

Maybe you and DH could spend the time doing some christmas shopping and a nice lunch somewhere without the children.

LIZS · 16/11/2005 14:18

I'd be cross initally but let her take them - she'll never do it again !!! Indulge yourself in soem retail therapy.

cupcakes · 16/11/2005 14:26

As someone who has spent several Christmases working at Harrods I can confidently tell you that if she doesn't get in there the second it opens and race to the fourth floor she will be waiting for hours. With 20 month old twins. Seriously not fun.
I am taking my children down to London to see lights and all that but there's no way i could get them to wait in that line!
I understand how you feel. My MIL occcasionally wants to take them out to things (theatre shows) when they were too young for it. A bit of her wanting to play granny more than considering what was age appropriate for the children. Have to say though she rarely tried doing any of this without including me. Sounds like she's only doing it because it seems fun for her. And she wants the photo to show her friends.

Twiglett · 16/11/2005 14:34

tell her you want to be the one to take them to their first santa

tbh they're still too young and will probably balk .. but really ... tell her

how else will she know she's crossed the line

Original poster
laughinglil · 16/11/2005 14:34

yes i think she thinks it will be fun without considering them. Whats annoyed me more is that she has spent £400 on matching baby blue and pink clothes ...ffs they have plenty of clothes to wear who is going to take any notice weather they are in dior or next?

OP posts:
moondog · 16/11/2005 14:47

She's evidently a nutter but she loves your kids.
That's all that matters.
If people are nice to my kids (whether its the local drink addled lady tramp,postman or bloke who reads the electricity meter) I think they're the business.

Pruni · 16/11/2005 14:50

Message withdrawn

Passionflowerinapeartree · 16/11/2005 17:53

Thank her nicely, let her take them in their matching outfits and get her photo. Then sell the outfits on ebay. I agree that's a ridiculous amount to spend on clothes but it's her money at the end of the day and if she wants to blow it on outfits that'll be worn once that's her perogative.

aloha · 16/11/2005 17:59

Agree with everyone who says they won't remember it AT ALL next year. She sounds very over eager but at least she tries (I suppose).
My ds is four and we think this is really his first christmas as it didn't really make any sense to him before.

starlover · 16/11/2005 18:07

i do understand your frustration, but a the end of the day it sounds like they are devoted grandparents who want to spoil their grandchildren and treat them!
ok, so your MIL may be wearing rose-tinted specs imagining her immaculate grandchildren enjoying their trip to santa... but that's up to her surely?

As others have already said.. they will appreciate it MUCH more next year. they won't even remember this one... it'll be much more special for them if you take them when they're a bit older!

aloha · 16/11/2005 18:15

And yes, the queues are HORRENDOUS. It will be a nightmare. Go shopping yourself instead.

lovelybird · 16/11/2005 18:25

I would take them somewhere yourself first, and don't tell her. You will have the memories/photos of this to cherish. Let her take them to harrods and you and DH have a few hours to yourselves. And then sell the clothes on Ebay!

Swipe left for the next trending thread