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The website says:



Santa's Vintage Christmas Grotto Dulwich is run as a partnership between Whippersnappers and the owners of the local business, Bleu Furniture. This company has been established for over 14 years and specialises in vintage furniture.



I am sure Bleu Furniture are lining their

Pockets a fair bit!

On the subject of the Shoe Box, that to me is hugely inspiring (and horribly hard to watch without welling up). I often think how extremely fortunate we are that we can actually celebrate Christmas and such other family holidays. For a few years now (even pre kids), I make a point of taking a couple of bags to a children's centre near us. Some are used things BUT like new (especially clothes as the kids grow so quickly), others are things that have never come out of the box but could be put to better use by someone else. I usually take food as well as there are many families who truly need help. ?


Since the kids arrived, I have started a "policy" for Christmas. They get so many presents on top of what they already have that they barely appreciate them so each year I take a couple away (in time, I hope to ask them to pick two and slowly get them to develop a social conscience - not that I am saying this is the only way) and take those to the centre too.?


I am making a mental list of what will go in our Shoe Box this year.?Thanks for making me aware of this initiative!

Thank you spanners45, for looking at the video and I agree, it really is uncomfortable painful viewing. It was shown to the children in assembly and helps to raise awareness of how others in our small world, not a million miles away, experience daily life. Boxes have started to arrive in our reception area and each box will provide a wonderful gift for a family. They are fun to fill as you can go to stores like Wilkinsons or ?shops and pick up all the bits described on the leaflets. The school office has the leaflets with more information.
Thank you to everyone who contributed a Shoebox for Christmas - your generosity is hugely appreciated and you have made a large number of families extremely happy this Christmas. We will count up the boxes and post a picture on the School website shortly. Thanks!

LOL - the goat comment has seriously made my day!!! It's so dull today and I really needed this laugh so thank you etta166:-)


etta166 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> snowboarder Wrote:

>

> >

> > I can kind of get over the price for a child -

> > possibly - but a fiver for an accompanying

> adult?

> > Why? Annoys me - like when they charge for

> adults

> > at Soft Play!

>

>

> I usually go into the soft play places and play

> too if I've had to pay... so maybe just ask to see

> Santa too if you've had to pay to go in?

>

> I'm pretty sure that you coiuld see Santa for free

> at Herne Hill market last year, and they had a

> goat too. Granted, it's not quite as good as a

> reindeer!

  • 2 weeks later...

DHJS - I think you should have started a different thread about the shoebox appeal at your school, instead of 'hijacking' the santa's grotto one. Maybe it's because the number of people at DHJS are not getting involved?


This grotto have organised something in the local area, maybe a bit different to the local school xmas fair, so give them a chance.

Never thought it was possible to get the words "santa" "hijack" and "grotto" into the same sentence until tonight: this is the start of a great new parlour game..

Oh and by the way, thanks went out to the wonderful, generous and kind contributions made by Hamlet parents and others in the Dulwich community, almost a month ago. There's a photo on the website. I expect the boxes are now in transit to Eastern Europe. Thanks again and thanks to minder for reviving this thread.

Well the grotto did come to Dulwich Park last Sunday and that's why this thread was revived.


After saying the advertised event looks horrible, and then going on to ask for boxes - I expect a lot of people did both (went to the grotto and filled a shoebox) but I'm glad your appeal went well.

Nobody said it looked horrible. Everybody said it was overpriced


I walked past with my children on Sunday and an elf shouted at us to come inside. Like many I avoided it because of the price point and the lack of clarity over where the profits are going


Delighted to hear the Shoe Box appeal benefited though

Hello


Does anyone know where we can donate toys?

We have more soft toys than Hamleys (guessing, I've never actually been inside) and they are all pristine and have never been used, my little one isn't really into them but got loads of them ss presents. I'd like to donate them before Christmas so some children can enjoy them.

Actually we have loads of other toys to donate as well, but the soft toys are way out of control.


Anyway, please let me know if there is somewhere nearby that is suitable (I can always go to a charity shop with them but I'd quite like them to go directly to some children).


Thanks

Kids Company are an amazing charity and I have been fortunate enough to work closely with some of their extremely committed staff who really do reach out and make a practical difference to children's lives.


Really worth supporting and I love their Christmas list at John Lewis idea

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