Afternoon tea with Santa!

Getting into the Christmas spirit this week I took my little girl to “afternoon tea with Santa” at a local tea shop, we were joined by my sister and her two children. We kept it as a surprise and didn’t tell the little ones, they didn’t know what we were doing or where we were going…all adding to the excitement for them.  The tea room is walking distance from my house and we have been there lots of times before, it’s a small place, really pretty and quirky and their cakes are always delicious!

We decided this year instead of the annual visit to Santa’s grotto this might be a nice change…..and we were right it was magical. It began with the kids enjoying their afternoon tea…mini sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, all of which they loved. The adults were also treated to a delicious menu with lots of treats. The tea room only holds about ten tables so it was a really nice friendly atmosphere with lots of excited children!

After lunch was served the jingle of bells was played….a knock at the door and there was Santa!! The look on their faces was priceless! It was a really lovely experience with Santa, he took his time to go to each table and speak to each child individually. He gave them each a present and had photos taken. The kids loved him…he was probably the funniest Santa I have come across and even my nephew who is 7 and at that age where he is questioning everything really enjoyed it and loved seeing Santa!

After he had been to every table, it was then time of Christmas songs, Santa pulled out his guitar and got all the children singing along with him favourite Christmas songs. My little girl Sofia really loved this part, singing and dancing away!

To finish it was story time with Santa, all the children mesmerised by him sat down and listening to a Christmas story….a perfect ending to the afternoon. The whole experience lasted around an hour and a half and I can say it’s been the best way for Sofia to see Santa, my sister agreed her little ones loved it too.  In previous years, we have taken her to a grotto, queued for what feels like forever for her to have minutes with him and a quick photo. This was really relaxed and much more personal for the children with Santa plus afternoon tea as a bonus and it was only a little more expensive than the grotto visit! We’ll be booking again for next year for sure!

Have you seen Santa this year with your children, have you got any recommendations, I’d love to hear about them so please post your comments and your photos.

That’s all from me until after Christmas, I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a very Healthy & Happy new year and I for one am looking forward to 2017!

Until next year Abbi xx