Why do we visit Harrods Christmas Grotto year after year?

Harrods Christmas Grotto has become a bit of a tradition for our family. This year was the third time running we visited Harrods to meet Santa. The first time we went it was absolutely magical. The second time we went, well, let's just say it ended in tears. And this, the third time, was fun but a bit manic. As it would be with a three year old. 

I think the reason why we keep coming back is the small injection of luxury in our Christmas celebrations. We don't normally shop at Harrods... It is a bit exclusive and tickets are notoriously difficult to get. I had to book our tickets in September. This was before I had even booked our Christmas holiday tickets! 

It is a popular grotto everyone seems to want to visit. I am not surprised why. The grotto has a changing theme every year, the decor is brilliant and kids have fun activities to complete. Santa's little helpers have always been superb, ready to swoop in with smiles and distractions when parents are looking frazzled and stressed. And meeting Santa is always a treat, him taking time to have a proper chat with you in your own room, away from all other distractions. It's these little things that make it a special experience. 

This year the theme was quite Winter Wonderland with a bit of a Narnia-twist and oh wasn't it just fabulous. Kids crawled through a small door to the wintry grotto, snowflakes falling all around them. The look on my daughters face was just pure amazement and joy.

After that there were funny mirrors, animation film, singalong with an elf, funny family pictures, igloo, penguins, polar bears, and a magical light forest. We got to enjoy a beautiful rendition of my daughters favourite song, Let it Go from Frozen, by one of the talented elf singers called Snowflake... My daughter was awestruck. 

Then it was time to go and meet the big man himself. On the train to Harrods my daughter said she wanted to know if Santa plays the piano. Well, at the meeting she was so star struck she couldn't utter a word. She managed to peep a little that for Christmas she wanted to have an "Elsa dress and a cuddly Elsa doll". And I think those words were the only ones Santa got out of her. We got our pictures taken and off it was to deposit a Christmas wish in a tree and to the Disney Store to buy her a little something to go underneath a tree. (Hint: it just may have been that soft Elsa toy...)

So I suppose that is why we visit. It is always something special. Always something new. A little bit luxurious. And the brilliant and cheerful staff always save the day. That's not to say it always goes smoothly. It's not perfect, but hey, when is it ever in life?

Here is little video of our day too!

Have you visited Harrods Christmas Grotto? What did you think of our visit?

You might also like: Experiencing Santa magic at Harrods 2015, Our Harrods Christmas Grotto experience 2014, and 15 great Christmas gift ideas for young kids and pre-schoolers

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