how much would you pay for the kids to see santa?

Question

took the kids to see santa at the local garden centre on sunday and they were charging £4 each to see him, and that included babies!How much would you be willing to pay just so your kids could see santa?Do you think it's fair that you should pay to see him or are buisnesses just getting too stingy?

by the was my kids are 4 and 2 so they dont understand the real meaning of christmas and it's a bit mean to tell the eldest there's no such thing as santa

Answer 1

I paid £8 for my kids and me to go and see Santa last year and it was worth every penny, mine was worth it just to see the look on their faces. They went on a miniature steam train, through the woods until we got to Santa's station. Santa was in a log cabin, open roaring fire, hundreds on lights huge tree, kids loved it. All the trees were lit up and after everyone had seen Santa he came down and waved us off.

Might have been a bit expensive but gave kids a lasting memory.

Answer 2

I do feel sad that people charge such rip off prices to allow children to meet Santa. I won't mind if the toys were at least half decent. However, in answer to your question I suppose I would pay a few hundred pounds because I'm saving up to take my daughter to Lapland next year or the year after to do one of these day visits to see Santa. To be frank, it's more about the fact that I'm a big kid and have always wanted to go rather specifically for my daughter. She's just my perfect excuse to be able to get publically excited about reindeer-pulled sleighs and looking for Santa's workshop!

Answer 3

I live in a smaller town so we have many opportunities to see Santa for free. The community sponsers it. For you, I would recommend a male in your family get a Santa suit. My father used to go to kids houses and nursing homes (for free). The parents requested it and he would park his truck in a safe place and walk down the street, the parents would ask the kids to see who's outside, then go crazy when Santa knew their names and a little bit about them. It was very personal. The suit you can usually get for $60+.

Something you may want to do....I taught my kids a long time ago Santa can't spend all his time in malls so he gets special workers to sit for him and gather the information from the kids about what they want. Then they report back to Santa. That way I don't have to answer the "why does Santa look different?" question.

In a big city I wouldn't pay more than $5-8 per child. I'm not sure what that would be in your denomination but it's about as much as a McDonald's combo meal here.

Answer 4

It would be great for a company social standing if the parents were shopping at the store/outlet to let the children see Santa for free. If someone just came in for that purpose, to just let their children to see Santa, then it should not cost more than three to five dollars for a family with four children and for the only child family it should be maybe one or two dollars. It is the Christmas season and all kids love Santa.

Answer 5

I paid £5 for my son to see him in the shopping centre in town. For that you get a toy and a photo which you have to collect at a later date.
The toy is usually crap but the photo is always a good quality one inside a Christmas card.

There was also a Santa who came round the streets of our village on a sleigh being pulled by a car, with Christmas music blaring out of loudspeakers. He had a load of elves with him who were collecting for a local charity. My 2 yr old son enjoyed that more than the shopping centre Santa.

Answer 6

It is terrible to charge to see Santa, the local garden center is getting rich just to have Santa there. I would not pay it and go somewhere else, like the mall or another store where they do not charge to see Santa. Businesses are getting very stingy.

Answer 7

You shouldnt have to pay to see Santa. I can understand paying for pictures with Santa but just to sit on his lap and talk to him for a minute, umm no.
So far I have been lucky that way with my kids. There are enough good spirits here that they volunteer their time and dress as Santa and do the rounds.
My girls got to see Santa at my staff childrens party, the postal office has a volunteer service that sends out letters from "Santa" They have a special address for kids to send their letters.
If there is to be a charge to see the man it should at least be by donation and go to a local charity.
Pictures are an exception. A local photography store had done them one year, you paid for one regular picture of kids with Santa but you had the option of buying more copies of the picture for family members.

Answer 8

If it's the real Santa I would pay about 100 pounds. If it's one of these fakes they seem to have lying about I would pay 50p as the guy would still make a good profit in a day. If the kids complain about not seeing a fake Santa tell them he's a fake and the real Santa doesn't have time so other bad men use his name to make money.

Answer 9

I have paid £12 to see Santa. Yes thats £12!!!! Last year I had to queue for 2 hours to see him and he was good but the yr before I didnt like the Santa at all.

So this year Ive paid £12 for an appointment at a department Store in Manchester. For that my 2 yr old gets five minutes, a present, a photo and a book. All I want is a nice fat old man who says "Ho HO HO, Have you been a good boy this year?" and "You make sure you go to sleep on Christmas eve and leave a nice carrot out for Rudolph and a drink and mince pie for me" I just want a bit of old fashioned magic for him and I had better get it for £12! I had to go to work for 2 hours for that.

Answer 10

Most kids are terrified of the bearded stranger anyway...why waste your money. Besides, Christmas is not about Santa Clause, it is about our lord and saviors birth. Take this oportunity to stay home and teach your children the true meaning. Or visit a shelter for battered and abused women and children with some presents and let the kiddies give them to the people who can't afford to go see santa.