Christmas is expensive for families. From buying presents, foods, planning parties and get-togethers to going to events, the amount you spend can soon add up. That's why Tesco has introduced grottos into some of its superstores.
It includes a chance to write a letter to Santa, post it into a special mailbox and meet Father Christmas. Each child receives a free, age-appropriate gift and also a digital photo too. And what's more, it's free for little ones.
The initiative, taking place in Tesco Extra stores all around Birmingham, is proving so popular that many slots have already sold out. When we looked on the website on November 9, we discovered there was just one superstore that still had availability.
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This was the Bedworth Extra store, around a 30 minute drive from Birmingham city centre. A spokesman for Tesco said on the website: "This year, Santa is coming to selected Tesco stores to meet children. And as a valued customer, we'd like to exclusively invite you to book a free experience for your little elves."
Listen to our Brummie Mummies 2023 Christmas Podcast here:
"One of Santa's helpers will welcome you into the grotto, where you'll see Christmas gifts being brought to life in the elves' workshop. Your little ones will have the chance to write their wish lists to Santa in the workshop and pop them into the speedy post box.
"Then, you'll receive a happy hello and a ho-ho-ho from Mr Claus himself. Finally, each child will receive a free, age-appropriate gift from Santa and a digital photo to remember the day they met him."
The event is happening at Tesco Extra stores in Yardley, Solihull, West Bromwich, Dudley, Kidderminster, Walsall Brownhills and Redditch to name a few but these are currently fully booked. It may be worth checking the Tesco website here to see if there are any cancellations. The Bedworth Extra store is on Leicester Street, Bedworth, Warwickshire CV12 8SY.
There are also slots available in Banbury, Hanley, Northampton, Crewe and Manchester if you wanted to book in and make a day of it, visiting a new area and seeing their Christmas lights, markets and festive attractions.
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