This day I love.......: christmas experience

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We arrived at Meadowhall shopping centre on a cold Saturday morning. The girls thought I had completely lost it when I led them through the shopping centre and out through the doors at the back of the Oasis. We were here however to wish upon a star with Santa, and the giant white marquees in front of us was where the magic would take place.

Now the excitement began to start. The girls reading the doors and understanding they were in for a treat. Little Man just wanting to get inside from the cold. In we went to be greeted by a rather friendly elf and a warm and cost looking forest.

Magical adventures take place in designated time slots and so we patiently waited our turn. Making the most of the comfy seating and finding some of the items hidden in the forest too.

At last it was our turn and we entered the doors into the forest. Greeted by another friendly elf and it was here we were taught how to say hello, or the magical salute. The children all sat on special wooden seats to listen to a short presentation on how they catch wishes. Little Man at 2 year old didn't really understand what was going on and for us adults we were watching a screen with little sound. The older children watched and listened and seemed to grasp what was happening.

Onwards again through the forest to meet the wish catcher. We sat and listened to a story of how the wishes are caught by a very animated elf who made the story come alive. The girls listened intently and then it was time for them to see if they could spot any wishes themselves.

Our final room awaited us and it was here the girls got to write down their very own wishes. This room was very crowded and there were not enough seats on the main table so my children had to sit on the sides. I had to go and fetch the pens and glue they needed from the main table once others had finished, so we had a bit of waiting around to do.

As you finished writing your wishes elves would come and take a family at a time out of the room. We were still waiting in line as the next group came in to write their wishes so it did get a little crowded in here.

Still it was worth the wait as we went through a magical door to find Father Christmas sat waiting for us. He spent time chatting to the girls and reading their wishes along with asking what they would like for Christmas. Little Man had gone shy so didn't want to go near Father Christmas.

The whole experience lasted around 40 minutes but we did spend quite a lot of time in the final room waiting so perhaps some people spent less time. The rooms are all beautifully decorated and the elves are all incredibly animated and magical which makes for a wonderful experience. Father Christmas spent time with the girls and didn't rush them which is always lovely too.

Thank you to Meadowhall for inviting us to Wish upon a star with Santa.

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Last night we were very kindly invited to Lotherton Hall to visit their Christmas Experience and whilst I have not been asked, or paid, to write a post I wanted to share our experience because it just gets better every year!

In fact this is our third visit to Lotherton Hall so imagine my surprise when I open the leaflet of the experience to discover a photo of the girls inside! I loved it, the girls loved it and we were already on a huge high as we stepped out of the car.

Experience has taught us that Father Christmas can get busy so we headed over to the North Pole first. Armed with our tokens, it was one token each to gain entry and our elf showed us the way through the magical North Pole to the elves workshop.

Inside the workshop the girls helped the elves to make reindeer food, which I was really pleased to see contained no glitter and was really bird seeds but shhh we won't tell the girls that, the elves were all super friendly and helpful. Once finished it was time to make our way over to see Father Christmas. He was waiting for us in a clearing in the forest and it looked super magical. My eldest did ask where his wish stick was this year, last year he had a magical wishing pole, but we explained we were here as a treat and so it probably was still in the North Pole.

After visiting Father Christmas we went to the elves village to make baubles. There were other crafts available but it was one token per craft activity and we only had one left.

This year the elf village also had local stalls selling some hand made products, so we did a spot of Christmas shopping. There was also warm drinks and food so we purchased these before heading into the woods.

The twelve days of Christmas walk seems to get better every time we visit it. Yes some of the days are the same exhibit but some of them change. In fact we don't mind that some of them stay the same because they are all fun and hands on. The girls look forward to the rings and the drummers, and I think if these changed they would be disappointed. You probably saw my instagram stories from last night of us marching through!

At the end of the twelve days is the fairy dell. Little Man was memorised by this. He could hear all the noises of the fairy village but could not work out where they were coming from. Watching his face trying to work it all out was priceless. The girls walked him through and showed him all the little fairy houses.

By the time we had done all of these the Hall itself had closed for the night, which is a shame as we love to go in and look at the beautifully decorated tree and hall. Maybe next year?

Lotherton Hall Christmas experience just gets better every year, we spent 3 and half hours walking round and could have spent a lot longer. My 2 year old enjoyed it just as much as my 8 year old so there is something for the whole family. The experience runs from the 23rd November until the 23rd December and in my opinion is simply magical. Look out for my girls in the leaflet if you do go!

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The Christmas Experience at Lotherton Hall was different to the one we visited last year. Like the previous year we followed the fairy lights past the great Hall and into the fairy village. We had been given tokens as we entered, unlike last year, and these tokens where to be used for activities with the elves. Extra tokens could be purchased, should you need them, but it was deciding which activity the girls wanted to take part in that became rather tricky.

They made a Santa stop here sign in the elves workshop whilst waiting for Father Christmas. The girls loved sticking and deciding how to decorate their sign together, and showed great team working skills. I think perhaps because the big man himself was just around the corner.

Father Christmas was walking around the North pole with his elves and stop to talk to the girls. They were start struck. Watching and hanging on his every word. He was wonderful, really taking the time to talk to them and answering all of their very many questions.

We left the north pole and headed over to the elf village. This was not here last year and it made a wonderful addition. Situated close to the North Pole were several cabins, each one with an elf and a different Christmas activity. Each activity cost 1 token per child. The girls chose to make a fairy door before heading over to the most enchanting cabin for a Christmas story with an elf. The girls were fascinated. [Photo used with permission from photographer at Lotherton Hall Christmas Experience]

The elf village had a real buzz about it. Children moving from one cabin to another to complete various activities. Completely engrossed in the tasks they were doing. Elves helping in each cabin, it was a lovely Christmas addition.

It was then time to undertake the 12 days of Christmas walk. First a quick photo, and I cannot believe I got one of all 3 of them looking!

The walk is very interactive and the girls darted from one to another trying to remember the words to the song as they went. Spinning the dancers, hooking swans and drumming. The twelve days of Christmas walk was rather a lot of fun.

It had dropped a little cold so we headed back to the great house to warm up. It also gave the girls, and Little Man, chance to dress up in festive outfits!

After looking round the house at the various displays, and listening to the wonderful carol singers we decided it was time to head home. Lotherton Christmas Experience has certainly changed since last year, but the girls enjoyed it much more and seemed to get a lot more from it. They all really enjoyed their evening, especially Little Man who fell asleep in the car on the way home!

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On a cold dark winters evening we headed north to Leeds to the Christmas experience at Lotherton hall. Our path was lit by soft white twinkling fairy lights weaving through the trees. It was a magical walk towards the great Lotherton hall which set the tone for a festive Christmas experience.

Divided into areas we headed for the Christmas courtyard to warm our tummy with hot chocolate before heading over to the elf village. The Christmas courtyard was warm and cosy. Lanterns and warm white fur throws gave a homely and welcoming atmosphere. Within the courtyard Children could create their very own fairy door, perfect for Father Christmas's fairies to visit.

To the side of the Christmas courtyard was the elf village. Decorated in glistening white it felt as though you have been transported straight to the north pole. Father Christmas waiting inside his log cabin ready to great all the excited children and friendly elves ready to help. Should you wish you could write a postcard to Father Christmas or even take a ride in his sleigh. The elves workshop was a hive of activity as elves and children made magical reindeer food for Christmas eve.

Lotherton hall was decorated in traditional and Edwardian Christmas decorations. Perfect for a quick photo of all my children. An Edwardian selfie studio had been created which provided great fun as the children dressed up.

Back outside we walked through the 12 days of Christmas. Each day given an interactive model for children to play with. From hooking a swan to spinning a lady dancing, the girls ran through each excited to see what was in store next. I loved the shouts of 5 gold rings whenever anyone reached them.

Our Christmas experience concluded with the fairy dell. A small magical town full of the sounds of busy fairies. It was a magical way to end the Christmas experience.

The highlight for the girls though was meeting Father Christmas and making a wish.