Grotto Help!

Willowpop

bethl79 wrote: »

We used a gazebo last year. We pinned up the scene setters on the inside and put up fairy lights and a small Christmas tree. A high backed chair with a red velvet throw over the top for santa to sit on.

On the outside, we bought loads of white fleecey material (I think we got it from the 99p shop in the Christmas section) and draped it over the top of the gazebo with some hanging down to look like snow. It looked great, really effective.

This sounds exactly like what I have in my mind for ours...until the gazebo didn't fit. lol

Willowpop

sethsgran wrote: »

Is the frame work for the ceiling tiles metal, if so can you see the metal. Supermarkets use really strong magnets with hooks on them. Then when they hang the signs they are hooked over using nylon thread. Could you use magnets with hooks to put a strong nylon thread across the area you need to cover then hang a lightweight fabric over the wire. A bit like a washing line! Check out places you could use the magnets, they are so strong. My husband sometimes does surveys in supermarkets and he was given a couple of the magnets. Why not ask your supermarket if they could lend you some. Ours came from a Morrisons store.

Magnets are a genius idea. Will have a look in school next week to see what the roof is made of. Thankyou!

Mrs_Huggett

It is best to use dark fabric and turn the main lights on in the room then turn on fairy lights in and around your structure. Muslin type fabric is great and very cheap - you can buy it in black it is very light in weight and once all the lights are off you really see the effect - any parents with leylandii or pine type trees at school who can donate lots of branches? stick them in pots weighted down with stones or bits of brick and you have a beginning of a magical walk way - you can string lights along this too easier and less cost than a red carpet - use long cuttings of ivy to decorate around the entrance most parkies won't mind you take a few bits here and there or maybe people will have it in their gardens.I was on the pta for 18 years - lots of grotto's passed through my hands!!! These days you will need a small chair for the child to sit on rather than santa's lap - how sad are these times eh?

Willowpop

Mrs_Huggett wrote: »

It is best to use dark fabric and turn the main lights on in the room then turn on fairy lights in and around your structure. Muslin type fabric is great and very cheap - you can buy it in black it is very light in weight and once all the lights are off you really see the effect - any parents with leylandii or pine type trees at school who can donate lots of branches? stick them in pots weighted down with stones or bits of brick and you have a beginning of a magical walk way - you can string lights along this too easier and less cost than a red carpet - use long cuttings of ivy to decorate around the entrance most parkies won't mind you take a few bits here and there or maybe people will have it in their gardens.I was on the pta for 18 years - lots of grotto's passed through my hands!!! These days you will need a small chair for the child to sit on rather than santa's lap - how sad are these times eh?

Lovely ideas, thanks...and yes you're right it's sad times that they have to sit next to Santa!
We have a store that sells material pretty cheaply near us so we will pay a visit and see what they have. One of the teachers said they have used it for school plays and have got cheap sheeting in various colours, so that could be an option.
I like the real 'plants' ideas..the ivy and the branches. Will have to see what I can come up with around them..bet they look lovely.
I'm going to go and smile nicely at my local carpet store and see if they will donate some red carpet..I'd only need a small bit, so fingers crossed!

sethsgran

If you have no luck with a red carpet check out these.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R4.TR10.TRC0.A0.XRed+carpet+&_nkw=hollywood+red+carpet&_sacat=0&_from=R40


Also how about creating a letter box for the children to post their letters in, can be put on the fair posters.

You could also wrap up empty boxes so Santa has a pile of fake gifts, even put made up names on them. Or teachers names.

Willowpop

sethsgran wrote: »

If you have no luck with a red carpet check out these.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R4.TR10.TRC0.A0.XRed+carpet+&_nkw=hollywood+red+carpet&_sacat=0&_from=R40


Also how about creating a letter box for the children to post their letters in, can be put on the fair posters.

You could also wrap up empty boxes so Santa has a pile of fake gifts, even put made up names on them. Or teachers names.

Yup, I have some sacks and some empty boxes to wrap...like the idea of putting teacher's names on them! That's lovely.
Not sure about the letter box...we did think about it, but then thought we would feel like we would have to reply to them all which is potentially a fair bit of work. There is only 2 mums in the PTA and I think we will want to sit down after the xmas fair, and not start replying to the letters. Would be something to bear in mind though for next year if we have more helpers as it's a lovely idea.

Willowpop

Okey dokey, I just wanted to report back to say we have got it sussed. (pretty much)
After hours online looking for just the right thing, I found a gazebo type thing that can fit in and we bought a pack of scene setter with a wall, window and fireplace in it.
We are saving boxes to wrap and go under the tree and have bought some selection boxes to wrap to give as Santa gifts. We even got some personalised 'I saw Santa' stickers to give out from ebay.
We have had quite a biggish outlay, but most of it can be reused for many years, so it's money well spent.
We just have tinsel to get and some of them sparkly door curtains as a finishing touch.
Thanks everyone for their help so far...any more ideas then keep 'em coming!