Teatime with Father Christmas at Wyevale Garden Centre
Well, it’s beginning to look rather Christmassy around here! We’ve started opening our advent tree, I’m writing Christmas Cards and the Decorations and Christmas tree will be up on Saturday! We kicked off the Christmas season with a visit to see Father Christmas at Wyevale Garden Centre.
Wyevale had kindly invited us along and I had no idea what to expect. When we arrived, we were kindly greeted by some lovely elves who looked after us for the whole evening and were full of jokes and mischief! It was lovely being at the garden centre in the evening. There were only other families there who had booked the same event as us so you felt like you had the place ‘to yourselves’, all the Christmas lights were sparkling and the Christmas tree decorations looked beautiful (Elle was particularly enamoured with a display entitled ‘Swan Lake’ which had glistening ballet decorations!) I only wish the lights had been dimmed somewhat to be fully magical!
We were seated at our own little table and the children were served a yummy chicken nugget tea and I had a delicious tea full of treats such as mini sandwiches, macaroons, fruit spiced scones and cakes – the children had to help me finish it all! As we were eating, Father Christmas came round to speak to all the tables and the children really enjoyed this because they ‘felt like they were eating in Father Christmas’ restaurant!’
I must say, that it was a particularly well cast Father Christmas, he really did look the part and there were many discussions amongst Elle and Fin as to whether this Father Christmas was ‘the real one’! This was helped by the impressive sound effects of Father Christmas landing on the roof of the garden centre!
Next, we were given colouring and crayons to keep the children busy whilst the children went up to see Father Christmas table by table. The whole evening was relaxed and well planned out, there were always activities to do and you didn’t feel rushed. After the colouring, there were lit up reindeers to visit and feed and an Elfie Photo Booth to take photos in.
Orla wasn’t that keen on Father Christmas, she was quite nervous of him but her big sister took her up to get her present and as soon as she opened it – she was Father Christmas’ best friend! All of the presents were well chosen for the age range, Orla received a snuggly dog which she has named ‘Honey’ and takes to bed every night. Elle received a sand art making set and Fin, a fire engine.
Whilst they were waiting to see Father Christmas in his grotto, we were given shortbread biscuits to decorate. The children loved this! They were given their own little icing tube to decorate the biscuit, along with chocolate drops and marshmallows and sprinkles – they were in their element!
The grotto was beautifully decorated and the children were made to feel special by having their own little ‘chat’ with Father Christmas in his grotto, they were sad to leave and have already asked to go back next year.
I’d really recommend Wyevale Garden Centre Father Christmas Visit as it was relaxed, a lovely evening event (although they also do breakfast too and every child had a special time with Father Christmas, you weren’t made to feel rushed at all.
