Glenbarr’s warm welcome for Mr and Mrs Claus

There was a post office area where youngsters could write their wish letters and post them in time for the elves to get them to the North Pole, and a reindeer feed station where the wee ones filled bags of food to take home to scatter for Rudolph and his friends.

A cinema displaying Christmas animations caught the attention of the children – and lots of parents, too – and festive backdrops were ideal for capturing those special family moments on camera.

Then it was on to the most important part of the experience – the children posted their very special envelopes into the grotto postbox, rang the bell three times, and waited with anticipation for the signal that proved everyone was a believer...which came every time!

The youngsters entered a complete wonderland, with Santa on his huge chair giving a warm welcome to all the awestruck children. 

Sitting with a winter forest outside the window and a blazing fireplace beside them, each child had a personal chat with Santa before the crucial checking of the nice or naughty book – after a search through with his quill pen, there were lots of looks of relief when their names were on the nice list.

The children were given a gift and an elf treat if they had been extra good, and there was plenty of time for taking family photographs in the grotto before heading back to the general fun in the greenhouse.

Mrs Claus said afterwards: “Every child, some grannies and even an Uncle Archie all left clutching their personal nice list certificates to prove they had made the nice list this year.

“It was a magical memory for them all and Santa and I are delighted that everyone went home happy. That’s why we do it!”