Day 11: Meeting Santa

Today we took the kids to meet Santa. It was a unique experience.

1. Did you know that in the UK you have to pay to see Santa? Coming from home where this is one thing you don't have to pay for, I thought it quite strange at first. I also felt terrible for the fact that aunty Lynne had purchased this tickets for the kids (because you have to book as well). But how do you tell your kids you've changed you mind when you're already at the entrance to the Grotto?

2. Santa was on a break when we got there. This left enough time for Zac's mind to start working, and for him to ask me how it was possible that Santa could be at so many places at the same time for people to meet him. I had to think fast, and fortunately satisfied him with my answer of these men simply being representatives of the real Santa because he was busy preparing for his trip on Christmas Eve.

3. We had to see Santa at a Garden Centre because all the shopping centres were fully booked. It turns out there are some benefits to being at a smaller place. Because people are less likely to come to these places as a first option, they generally offer other things that make it as - if not more - appealing than the opposition. One of these things were that the kids were able to have their faces painted by a fantastic artist - free of charge! After some vacillating Sam chose a bunny. I didn't have the heart to tell him he may have gotten the festive holidays mixed up. Zac, never wanting to look a free gift horse in the mouth, took the option that involved the most facial coverage, and landed up with a swan lake mural on his face.

4. The kids got gifts! And suddenly the price to pay to visit Santa didn't seem quite as ridiculous anymore. The parents enter the grotto with their kids because it's actually a closed off room where kids can speak to Santa privately. Our Santa was great. He asked the kids about their letter (that they had only posted a few days before), and spoke to them about their behaviour (it was like he'd read my mind). He then gave them each a gift from his sack. My kids were so surprised and thankful, they literally jumped on his lap to hug him. Except Bayley, of course. Bayley was having none of this Santa-stranger separating her from me, and promptly let everyone know about it.

After the grotto visit we took the kids for a light lunch, and they played in the playground. They were literally the only kids there because it was bloody cold - but they had fun all the same. It's definitely been one of their better days. I only wish I had threatened them with Santa sooner - this is only going to work two more days.