The Magic of Christmas

On Wednesday, Anna met Father Christmas for the very first time!!!

As part of her Christmas party at Forest Tots, it had been arranged that Anna and the other 'Forest Tots' would go to Santa's Grotto, in the heart of the Forest and meet the man himself.

The Forestry Commission has actually constructed a Santa's Grotto in Delamere Forest so, as well as pick your Christmas tree to take home, the public can visit Father Christmas. At weekends, any member of the public can go but, during weekdays in the 2 weeks before Christmas, it is open to school children and groups.

I was feeling very nervous and apprehensive. Anna had never even talked about Father Christmas, let alone met him. Plus, I was fearing that if there were long queues to see him, Anna would quickly get bored and start causing a riot. Thankfully, all of these fears were pointless as the whole experience was magical.

Dressed in our wellies and warm clothes and accompanied by her Nanny, Anna walked into the Forest. The wooden lodge (Santa's home) looked very pretty and there were reindeer (sculptures) stood in Santa's garden. Luckily the carrot patch that Santa had planted for Reindeer snacks was looking good too.

At the door of the Grotto, we were met by a very friendly Elf who told us that Santa would ask Anna 3 things. What her name was, whether she had been a good girl this year and what she wanted for Christmas. The elf also reminded Anna and the other children that, although they might be lucky enough to get lots of presents, they were only allowed to say one special gift to Santa. Otherwise, if every child recited a long list, Christmas day would have been and gone and we still wouldn't have made it out of the Forest! After much shouting, to make sure Santa hadn't fallen asleep, we were lead into the Grotto.

I cannot begin to explain how magical it was. Basically, the Grotto had been lined with black sheets and had twinkling lights sewn in to look like stars. The path which we followed (all in the Grotto although it was made to look as though we were still outside) had been lined with real Christmas trees and, set amongst the trees were little creatures and scenery. For example, in one nook, there lay 8 toy reindeer's huddled up and in another corner lay some cuddly bears all peaking above the fence. There were penguins taking a dip in an ice pool and we saw polar bears. There was the nativity scene in another corner of 'Santa's Forest garden' and there was also a train set weaving in and out of the trees. Apparently the elves had made one too many train sets last year so had given it to Father Christmas as a surprise to put in his Forest garden. (Anna adored the train even more than the little animals peaking out from everywhere and, although interested in the other parts of 'Santa's forest garden, kept going back again and again to watch the train)

Then, after walking through Santa's garden, you opened a garden gate (a real one) and we entered Santa's 'garage'. This was where he was storing his sleigh, which was huge and stacked high with presents already.

The time had come to knock on the big oak door and we heard a 'Ho Ho Ho' as we carefully opened it.

Anna stood staring at this strange man in the armchair in the corner of the room. We had entered Santa's living room. There was an old-fashioned wood burner with stockings hanging over the fireplace and Santa sat in his old armchair in the corner of the room. Next to him was an old wardrobe to hang his suits.

At first, I really thought Anna would cry. She grasped her Nanny's hand tightly (I had been put in charge of the camera. Nanny is number one so Mummy doesn't get a look in!). Then Santa asked Anna her name and my mum (Nanny) gently took Anna closer to him. Santa asked Anna her name again and Anna felt confident enough to reply and tell him. Santa said 'Hello Anna' and Anna then decided that it was OK so began talking... and talking... and talking! When Father Christmas could finally get a word in edgeways, he asked Anna what she wanted, Anna looked a little unsure so Santa said 'I can bring you a dolly'. Anna didn't like that idea (she had been given a new dolly for her birthday from her Nanny and Grandad) so quickly replied 'Tigger'. She would like a Tigger like her Uncle Steve has got. Santa noted it down and, once Anna had chatted some more (she would have still been chatting to him now if we hadn't gently coaxed her away), Father Christmas kindly gave her a baby Christmas tree (only 10 cm tall) to plant in our garden and reassured Anna that he would see her on Christmas Eve as well as reminding her to leave out some mince pies, carrots and some sherry!!! It must be hungry work delivering so many presents.

I was still wondering on how we would actually get out of Santa's living room when he whispered to Anna 'Go through the magic wardrobe and you will find your way home'. I just looked at the wardrobe door and thought '...but I don't want to walk into a wardrobe' (It was so magical that I had even started to believe it all!!). Fortunately, Anna was a little braver than me and, once you opened the wardrobe doors (which was an actual real wardrobe but with no back on it), you could walk though and we found ourselves back in the real world once more.

So Anna has met Father Christmas and they are now firm friends. Let's just hope he brings her a Tigger now. Otherwise, Anna will be insisting that she has several more words with Father Christmas!