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Original poster

Not taking my 13month dc to see Santa - anyone else?

44 replies

Beachwaves127 · 04/12/2023 11:10

As the title says I’m not taking my 13 month to see Santa for various reasons but primarily due to time and the cost (I don’t want to spend lots on an experience she won’t remember). I didn’t really think much of it to be honest. But now the social media posts have started with everyone’s baby and Santa….. I’m feeling bad!!!

Anyone else not taking small dc to see Santa for the experience / photo opp?

When dc is old enough I’d love to do a Santa experience such as a train or etc so I’d prefer to wait until then and save the Money for this.

Eurgh I hate Instagram sometimes.

OP posts:

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WinterParakeets · 04/12/2023 11:12

You are sensible. Do it when she is 4 or 5 and it will mean something to her.

cauliflowerwaterfall · 04/12/2023 11:13

I wasn’t going to but then my dad booked something so we’re going next week… I feel guilty about dreading it, ds will probably just cry. Maybe we need to log off Insta op 😂

GreatGateauxsby · 04/12/2023 11:13

I think it’s fine… if cost is a factor 100% save the £££ and don’t feel bad your DC aren’t missing it at all…

we took our then 9m old last year but just because we fancied it.
she essentially looks like a stunned deer in headlights for the whole thing except for the Santa pic itself in which she is giving him a deeply suspicious look.
we took her this year and apart from a clap and a yay at the start for the Santa train it was the exact same thing 😂

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Christmas Events & celebrations Families General parenting

CornishGem1975 · 04/12/2023 11:15

Nope, I never did with any of mine until they were about 3. Totally pointless, they get nothing from it!

Bumbers · 04/12/2023 11:17

My DS is 3 and has never been, won't this year. I have no memory of doing so as a child and don't feel I missed out. Maybe next year. We could afford to go - but I think he would rather go to the playground! It would only be for pictures.

Superscientist · 04/12/2023 11:40

This is my daughters 4th Christmas still no Santa. We considered it but we have all been ill and it wasn't important for us. Maybe next year, we will see

Daisies12 · 04/12/2023 11:44

you're sensible, why waste your time and money. Not worth it til they are at school. and don't compare to others, you have no idea what's going on behind the camera.

InTheRainOnATrain · 04/12/2023 11:45

I don’t anyone that would take a baby unless it was primarily for older siblings. That seems like a really weird thing to do.

Elieza · 04/12/2023 11:49

Sounds like your insta pals are doing what would be called ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ back in the day. Everyone has to be seen to be being better than the next person. Stressful, expensive and exhausting.

I’d save your money and spend it on something more fun than being near a creepy old man that scares you (how I felt when young)!

Echobelly · 04/12/2023 11:50

Yes, good decision. It won't mean anything to them and if anything the waiting around will just be upsetting. Screw insta!

TeddyBeans · 04/12/2023 12:32

I took my son to see a shopping centre Santa on his first Christmas. My daughter is getting a full blown Santa experience this year for her first Christmas as my son is now 5 and it's far more enjoyable when they're older and can actually interact with Santa. DD will probably be a deer in headlights as PP said but DS would think she was on the naughty list if she didn't see Santa/get a present too

Original poster

Beachwaves127 · 04/12/2023 12:34

Ok thanks everyone. I feel better.

@GreatGateauxsby your mesaage made me laugh.

OP posts:

BlueChampagne · 04/12/2023 13:01

You are totally reasonable. I've never bothered taking mine to see Santa, partly because I never enjoyed it when I was little.

tb4122 · 04/12/2023 13:02

Definitely not taking DS (just turned one). I think he'd be horrified to be handed to a stranger with a beard .

I'm doing a few things this Christmas basically for memories for us (yes, DH, I know he won't remember seeing the reindeer, but I'll remember taking him to see them!). But nothing that I think he's going to be distressed about.

likoed · 04/12/2023 13:13

We took our eldest from age 2 - my younger dc has gone from her first Christmas but only because she tags along with her big sister.

It doesn't have to be expensive though - we have been to some community events where Santa was completely free, and some were just a token amount like £2 and a volunteer just snaps a photo for you on your own phone.

yikesanotherbooboo · 04/12/2023 13:16

I didn't even know it was a thing for babies to see Father Christmas. However much money I had I wouldn't have paid for it. I am fairly sure that we went to a garden centre or department once per child when they were about 4 .I hated the contrived nature of the whole thing and in actual fact at least two if my DC were scared.

mindutopia · 04/12/2023 13:34

Honestly, mine are 5 & 10 and have never 'been to see Santa'. Certainly, they've had Santa come to nursery or to the school Christmas party and make the rounds and hand out gifts, but we've never done one of those Santa's grotto type things. Just seems a silly waste of money and frankly, if they believe in Santa, seems a bit odd and confusing. Definitely unnecessary for a baby. Fwiw, my only memories of going to see Santa as a child were actually a bit terrifying! I had no idea who this random man was or why I had to sit on his lap and there are just photos of me crying. Probably could have done without the added trauma.😂

FourChimneys · 04/12/2023 13:34

Mine never went to a Santa experience but it was before Instagram was invented so it didn't matter.

Greensaber · 04/12/2023 13:37

Mine are meeting Santa for the first time this year, they are 6! There is one in town we have ‘met’ before, not a grotto, he just stands there handing out gifts.. but they were terrified! I never met Santa once!

Marblessolveeverything · 04/12/2023 13:45

There is absolutely no need. We are lucky as there is a community centre Santa free event locally.

They are experts, hand baby to Santa child facing mum, mum ducks, snap photo on phone by helpful elf. Job done 👍. If you were desperate for a photo, we used to pop it in a frame for grannies and grandad's. But only because they requested photos as gifts.

SwordToFlamethrower · 04/12/2023 13:48

Absolutely not. My dd is terrified of bearded men. Why traumatise them? It isn't for them at that age, they Absolutely DO NOT CARE

SouthLondonMum22 · 04/12/2023 13:53

Mine will be 1 on Thursday and we're taking him. It's just a cheap one for the photo op, we took him last year too when he was newborn just for the photo op and again, a cheap option. This year it will be £15 and last year it was even less than that.

It was absolutely for us parents who want the pictures, not for him. We'll do the actual santa experiences, breakfasts etc when he is old enough to get excited and understands.

Pizzaandsushi · 04/12/2023 14:03

Good shout I say. I’ve paid for my toddler to go to various Christmas themed toddler sessions as I feel he will get something out of those but no point seeing Santa. The visits round us are so expensive too for something he will probably cry about and will last 2 minutes for a photo of him not looking at the camera.
I took him to an elf party on Saturday thinking it would be interactive fun but most of it was “shall we take photos with Mrs elf?!” Which I hated as he wasn’t bothered and the whole thing was other parents pushing to get a photo of their baby all kitted out in frills and bows with this elf. Knew they’d be going straight onto social media after saying how good it was when it wasn’t.
I’d definitely wait until they’re older and will appreciate it more.

TinkerTiger · 04/12/2023 14:08

Where are you? Yesterday Battersea Power Station had a free Santa and not much of a queue, you don't have to pay to have a sit with Santa for a pretty photo

TryAgainWithFeeling · 04/12/2023 14:10

Perfectly sensible! We took ours, but under no illusion that it was for them! Go have a look at some twinkly lights together, she’ll appreciate that much more.

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