When we were invited to visit Santa’s Grotto at Harrod’s, I confess I got the giggles out of sheer joy. It’s the kind of thing you imagine that a child would love: a big department store Santa with all the bells and whistles, that would really solidify the Christmas Magic in your child’s heart and memory.
A friend was less encouraging “I took my child to Harrod’s last year, and it was terrible. A real waste of money.” she said.
But I had never taken The Girls up to London for Christmas, so we went with an open mind. We spent time looking at the Christmas Lights from the bus, we dawdled along the front of the iconic store, taking in the Christmas themed windows. The Girls loved it. It was a real treat.
Things I loved:
1. Once you were allowed in, there was a queueing system, which was well staffed and carefully monitored with friendly characters. There were video screens every few feet broadcasting a special recording that featured dance moves, Christmas songs, dancing reindeer and a find-the-mouse game that Dimples (3) adored.
2. Each child was issued with a pair of antlers, perfect for parental selfies, and a passport that various characters stamped which kept the children occupied whilst waiting. I assumed we were at a busy slot because one person stamped all of our boxes, which was disappointing for me though not the children.
3. The Santa Room. I was aware that there were several doors- I presume with other Santas in- though the girls did not: they were so overawed by the big man on his decadent gold sofa that they insisted on sitting on my lap. Resplendent in a really smart red suit, Santa engaged both girls in conversation, worked hard to get them to open up and did, as far as I was concerned, a brilliant job. He gave each girl a badge, special book and delicious chocolate (“only for the children, I’m afraid, Mummy”) which they were delighted with. My children also received a wonderful Harrod’s Sebastian Bear which totally blew them away and they left very, very, happy.
4. The photo: I was able to view the photo on screen immediately that it was taken and so able to see if we needed another taken. After leaving the Santa Experience, there was a bank of tellers waiting to help and print off my chosen pictures. I paid £17.00 for 4 6×4 images, which all came in velour frames and were of a very good quality. I thought it represented great value for money.
Things I did not like:
1. Finding the Grotto. Harrods is not designed for pushchairs or for harrassed parents and tired children. Every single member of staff went out of their way to offer help, but the general public were far less courteous and it took a twenty minute wait for us to be able to get on a lift. And the Grotto was in the Disney Store, so not easy to navigate at all. Think soft play on a Saturday morning.
2. The heat: we had obviously come with coats and scarves, but the grotto ‘conveyor’ area was roasting hot. I was glad of the pushchair to carry all the items of clothing that were gradually stripped from little bodies.
3. Overhearing a member of staff convey messages to the ‘Santa Teams’ ahead- they needed to speed up as there was a long queue, they should tell child x to brush their teeth and know that child y would be on holiday. I am grateful this passed over my children’s heads but the lady in front of me in the queue did turn round and comment on it to me that he needed a sound-proof booth to work from.
I’m being critical, I know. Harrod’s have clearly worked hard to give a slice of Christmas magic to each child. And I did feel it. My girls felt it. We had a wonderful experience with the Harrod’s Team and are grateful for the chance to try out something we would not otherwise have done. The Harrod’s Santa Experience is booked out for this season. For more information about 2014, go to www.harrods.com/grotto
We visited Santa’s Grotto at Harrod’s a while back. It is a nice experience and they obviously put thought into the wait as well as the time in the room with Santa himself. Also nice: our Santa was an older gent with a real beard. Hurrah!