It‘s time to spill the beans on our plans for our 2023 Little Things Grotto!
We promised you that we’d launch earlier this year, but we’ve still needed to take our time to ensure we have everything exactly as we wanted it. And now, we’re ready!
So, what’s changed?
We managed to confuse some of you last year, so this year we’ve decided to take a more streamlined approach!
We have stripped away our 2022 packages and instead we’re offering a simplified tiered pricing set up split in to three categories: Early, Mid and High Season.
Early Season will run between 25th November to 3rd December and tickets will be £30 for Children (0-12 years inclusive) and £5 per adult spectator (13 years +)
Mid Season will run between 6th December to 10th December and tickets will be £35 for Children (0-12 years inclusive) and £5 per adult spectator (13 years +)
High Season will run between 15th December to 22nd December and tickets will be £40 for Children (0-12 years inclusive) and £5 per adult spectator (13 years +)
To streamline the booking process and to limit confusion everyone now needs to hold a ticket. ALL children including babies are to hold a child ticket (0-12 years inclusive), and ALL adults (13 years +) are to hold a spectator ticket this year. If you have a child aged 13 years or older who would like to partake in the full experience and not just spectate, that’s great (there’s no age limit on believing in magic!), and you’re welcome to also book them a child’s ticket.
Last year we found that families were confused by who needed what ticket and incorrect purchases were being made, therefore we hope this has simplified things.
Side note…
The size of the grotto and the slot timings work perfectly for up to 4 children accompanied by up to 4 spectators, but it either becomes a rush or makes us run late with a bigger group. If you have more than 4 children please book two consecutive slots and we will be able to link your bookings. We will only link slots where the 4 person capacity of children’s tickets have been purchased in at least one of the bookings, this will not apply to spectator tickets.
And what’s new?
On top of our Early/Mid/High season bookings, we will also be launching a one off, super special weekend called ‘“Little Memories” Keepsake Package’ with The Life Narrator.
Our Christmas experience began back in 2018 when we offered festive backdrops for your own mini photoshoots. This grew and in 2019 we had joined forces with The Life Narrator to offer “Christmas Minis” which were hugely popular. This year, by opening the grotto a weekend earlier, we’ve found a way to amalgamate both Santa and these special photographs with our “little memories” keepsake weekend.
Hannah, The Life Narrator, is back! But this time she’s journeying through the grotto with you (and her camera) to capture the magic.
With a slightly extended visit, your child’s faces full of wonder and joy will be captured on camera in both photo and film, as The Life Narrator joins you on your journey to meet Santa. Shortly after your visit you will be emailed the link to a password protected gallery full of hand edited images from The Life Narrator. From here you can choose your 5 favourite photos to instantly download, PLUS a downloadable highlights video capturing ALL of the magic (the full gallery of images can also be purchased at an additional cost).
Our “Little Memories” Keepsake Package will run on 18th and 19th November and tickets will start from £125 (£90 for the keepsake gallery PLUS £30 per child ticket and £5 per adult ticket).
Is there anything else on offer?
We loved hearing how well our VIP packages were received last year, so we wanted to offer you new ways to enhance your experience. This year we have developed some limited edition “add on” products for you to purchase at the time of booking your tickets.
We have created a fun packed Christmas Eve box which includes 6 “little things” that’ll put a smile on your children’s faces. We’ve included a pretty mini snow globe, magical reindeer dust, a cheeky santa/elf cam, a tasty treats sign for Santa, hilarious party glasses and a fun wobble headband (designs may vary)! Just add PJ’s for the perfect Christmas eve box! This item will be wrapped in brown paper ready for you to collect when you visit £30
We also have, brand new for 2023, our “Little Things Letter” from Santa Claus! Extend the grotto experience this year with our beautifully illustrated whimsical letter from Santa Claus. A timeless keepsake, addressed to you child/children focusing on the “Little Things” that we hold so dear to us. This item will be wrapped and ready for you to collect when you visit £12.
Some of you may have picked up a copy of this last year, but our “Little Things Christmas Story” book is back if you missed out! Enter our world full of magic, family, Christmas joy, and of course, all the little things with this origin tale, explaining why Santa Claus chooses to visit our little barn each season. This item will be wrapped and ready for you to collect when you visit £20.
And not forgetting those cheeky elves! Last year we became an official Elf on the Shelf adoption centre, and they’re back again for 2023. Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition has everything needed to make lasting Christmas memories! With an Adoptable Scout Elf™ Boy or Girl, Artfully illustrated The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Tradition storybook, Keepsake box and Official adoption certificate. This item will be posted to you in November.
And will everything we know and love be returning?
From wooden postcards sent from the North Pole, to the prettiest tree trinkets…from cheeky Twinkle the Elf, to the loveable Mrs Claus….yes! Everything you already love about the grotto is here to stay…including SANTA!
We hope that you’re going to LOVE this year’s grotto as much as we love curating it!
Santa and I have already had a good chat and plans are in full swing. We’ll share lil’ sneak peeks as time goes by and we can’t wait to see you there!
Clare x
