Baby Blogging: First Visit To Santa!

With Annabelle arriving in July we had no idea if a nearly 6 month old would appreciate visiting Santa but we knew 6 adults - both sets of Grandparents, plus us- would love to see our little girl visiting Santa.

As always Laura's organisation meant we had potential Santa's to visit listed by September and the criteria was strict:

• It had to be a real beard Santa
• The experience needed good reviews
• It would be ideal if we could take Bisbee
• It couldn't be too expensive

Laura discovered the perfect location, Magic Alley in Stratford-Upon-Avon (details are here - just a warning it plays Christmas music as soon as you enter!), it included an experience that was unforgettable for all 6 adults and we are pretty sure Annabelle and Bisbee enjoyed it too.

We arrived at Magic Alley at 4.45pm and were checked in. When our 5pm time slot arrived we were given a quiz sheet and instructions that as we entered each room there would be information on the walls that would help us complete the quiz. As a quiz loving family we were determined to do well.

What we hadn't anticipated was how amazing this place would be. We had read that the Santa here had been voted the most authentic and traditional but it was the experience that made this worth checking out and we hadn't really read too much on that.

The first room was a lounge with a fire place and decorated like something out of an American Christmas film. It was perfect to get us in the festive spirit. The second room was a library, again festively decorated, with a large table in the middle with a box for letters to Santa. We were each encouraged to write a letter using the paper and quills laid out on the table. We all obliged.

Bisbee got a little help!

From the library we entered a room filled with globes of all ages and sizes and completed more questions. I was loving the education and quiz element and seeing Annabelle's face light up with so much to see made the experience.

Bisbee, was as ever, highly involved. She stayed beside us as we read signs, she stuck her nose in when we were looking at the amazing decorations and best of all she squealed with excitement when she saw Santa. We later found out that it was because he had a treat for her but for a brief moment we all 'awwwed' with the cuteness.

A little blurry but our first family pic with Santa

Meeting Santa was everything we could have hoped. We were all welcomed as one big family and in turn Santa asked us each what we wanted. It was a harder question to answer than expected. It's amazing as you get older the shopping list really shrinks. Other than underwear and socks or other useful things it really comes down to health, happiness, love and enough money to survive. The rest as they say is just stuff.

Our families list included health, world peace (we hope big :)), happiness for loved ones, time oh and a train set. My wonderful wife said she had everything she needed and would offer the wish to someone else. It was surprisingly emotional.

We were each handed a bell - Laura and I had to explain that it was from Polar Express and you only heard it ring if you believed in Santa - we were also each given a gift (a small book) but Bisbee, well our fluff butt got a large chewy bone that she was SO happy about.

We had to wait to enjoy our gifts though, as we left Santa and walked straight into snow. A room filled with snow and it was still snowing! It was magical. All of us were impressed.

Bisbee wore herself our running around in the snow!

The experience was more than we could have ever hoped for and it was definitely one for the memory banks. We will all fondly retell Annabelle about her first experience meeting Santa and what a good girl she was. There were no tears, no whinging, no fidgeting, she was perfect. Everyone got a chance to hold Annabelle - including Santa, and there were no complaints just smiles. It was a visit we could have only dreamed about.

We are thinking of making it an annual tradition. It turns out that the Santa has been the same one there for years so it would be lovely to go back and see him again. The only problem is I think we might have a party of dozens as everyone we have told about it we have suggested they go too.

Oh and for the hours worth of entertainment it was £10 per person.
We got full marks in the quiz!
We all got certificates saying we were good girls and boys :)

Did you meet Santa? Do you have a list of requirements?