xmas at selfridges or harrods you decide!!

hemc

We did both at the weekend.
You cant just turn up at Harrods and has been fully booked for ages now we booked in October and could not get a weekend.
Selfridges was just as good imo and I second santa is lovley!
The children both got a snowman book which is really nice for free!
I would ring first and see what time the grotto opens it was 12pm on Monday but varies and get there at least 1/2 a hour before you can then book on the day they do ques for pre booked and another for non booked but people who were booking at 12 were getting 2pm slots.
you still pay the £3 admin but it all goes to the make a wish foundation if you still can buy online do that as you could be in for a wait.

I do like the pre booking though it cut down waiting time loads!

hemc

jodie wrote: »

I used to go to Selfridges as a child and I loved it.

I have tickets for Harrods, booked them months ago and my hubby asked the other day if he is allowed to wear his jeans in there, they are normal jeans and would be worn with shoes, plus can the kids were trainers? I hope they arnt as fussy as I remember them lol.

EDIT: Just seen tickets on ebay, sorry but that is madness, if they cannot take their children why not offer them to another family for free? If I couldn't use mine it is what I would do.

My hubby went in jeans and his merryl trainers and my son had trainers
think its just no ripped jeans/provocative wear now

hemc

dawnteabag wrote: »

Apparently Harrods are going to be all-ticket next year and I think they're making a mistake.
My son has been to see Father Christmas in Harrods twice (when he was 2 and when he was 6) and we travel down from Sheffield to take him. There's no traditional Father Christmas's around here and it makes a lovely Christmassy treat if you can go close to the big day. We have tickets for this year when he will be 7.

1st year, there was no ticket system. You went and queued. I think it was 2 and a half hours but it was bearable as you were surrounded by toys, provided with drinks and biscuits and were entertained by magicians etc whilst queuing.
Last Year there was a system in place where you turned up in store and collected a ticket with a specified time to return on the same day to see him. I think we had about 3 hours to waste but we spent a good hour in the toy shop then went for lunch before returning at the allotted time. There was still a queue (about 30 mins) and there were refreshments whilst you waited.
The online ticketing system will inevitably result in tickets going on sale on ebay which I suspect will result in Harrods charging for the visit. TBH why shouldn't they make the money from it rather than the ebay scum who sell freebies for profit.

Rant over! - Sorry but it really upsets me that some people's greed may spoil what has become a part of our Christmas celebrations

I already is all pre book only.
The ticketed time sounds good but I have to say I think the pre book is brilliant from our point of view with a child with aspergers the reduced queing is a god send. and we did only wait 10 mins!
people on ebay must be booking in different names as I am sure you could only book 7?

setmefree2

Hi

I liked Harrods the way it was too. I can't understand why they stopped it really. We used to spend loads of money. A couple of photos, meals for 10 of us in Planet Harrods and a visit to the toy department...;)

Anyway, how did people actually get their tickets? How did you know when they were going to become available? That is for both Harrods and Selfridges please.

Thx

Frugal_Fox

I can't believe some people who got the tickets and then are selling them. Thats appaling... Would 'almost' be worth bidding and not paying.... :whistle:

My husband works for the NHS and as usual is working all over Christmas, so I've booked for me and the children to go on Christmas eve - which should be wonderful. As for 'finding' the tickets there was a post on here that said about the grottos.

I agree with the ticket system in terms of cutting queueing (sp?) times, but that does leave them open to abuse by the mean ticket touts who have deprived well meaning families of the joy of their childrens faces.

setmefree2

Someone close to me had the following from Harrods:-


Dear Mrs X

Thank You for your correspondence once again concerning Harrods Father Christmas Grotto tickets currently being auctioned on eBay. We were very disappointed to learn that sellers are abusing Harrods’ goodwill regarding this event and these free tickets are now being misused for financial gain.

Harrods’ legal department monitors eBay daily and we send the seller, listing Grotto tickets for sale, an email on behalf of the Christmas Grotto advising the seller the following:

1. Grotto tickets are not for re-sale or transferable and that tickets purchased on eBay will not be valid without proof of identification;
2. The event is very popular every year and has been oversubscribed this year;
3. Ticket holders who are unable to attend should return the tickets to Harrods to enable Harrods to reissue the tickets to people on the waiting list; and
4. If ticket holders wish to request an alternate date Harrods Christmas Grotto staff will endeavour to assist them where tickets become available or are returned.

Unfortunately, at this point in time, there is nothing further we can do to prevent ticket holders auctioning Grotto tickets on eBay. However, we do reserve the right to ask all ticket holders to present a valid form of photo identification and could, if we so wished, refuse entry to anybody who purchased tickets from eBay if they are unable to prove that they initially ordered the tickets. Obviously however, this will only be done in extreme circumstances as our continued aim is to enable as many children as possible to visit Father Christmas this year.

Harrods however can not be held liable for the actions of these sellers who are acting without our permission and in direct opposition to our requests and the spirit of the Christmas Grotto. I can assure you that we are taking this matter seriously and have been doing, and continue to do, everything in our power to prevent the re-sale of these tickets on eBay. In addition you should note that measures have been put in place for next year’s Harrods Christmas Grotto to prevent similar problems and abuses taking place as well as a simple fast secure procedure for returns and exchanges of Grotto tickets.

YS Harrods

:T:T:T Maybe things will be better next year:xmassign:

dee210

jodie wrote: »

I think your right.

I know my kids will love it, they will also love driving down Oxford street 1st seeing all the lights (hubby drives a cab), for them it will be a huge day out.

OP I just had a thought, are you actually in london or a bit further out? I currently live in Hertfordshire (am a Londoner though) and we have somewhere called Crewes Hill which is full of Garden Centres, I took my boys to one called Springtime Nurseries last year and they loved it, you get a little train to see santa and everything and they had real reindeer there.

You can get a train which stops about 500 yards or so away or you can drive as there is a huge car park.

The Crews Hill Christmas Grotto is great - with reindeer and Father Christmas and the train ride all the details are on the Crews Hill website - just google it!