The Best Value Santas This Christmas

Shopping stores and grottos round the country are opening their doors for Christmas. But when it comes to visiting Santa, which provides the best value for money?

With the Christmas school holidays fast approaching, restless children and anxious parents alike will be gearing themselves up for the festive season.

But aside from the present buying and card writing, where would Christmas be without the main man himself -- Santa Claus?

As Christmas becomes more commercialised, gone are the days where you queued humbly for hours to perch on Santa's knee and tell him what you wanted. These days you'll probably be slapped with an entrance fee before you've even walked into Santa's grotto, not to mention the countless photos, keyrings and other memorabilia thrown your way during your visit.

So where in Britain does Santa still give you value for money? Here are our tips on sorting the saintly Santas from the scrooges.

Firstly, here's what some of Britain's Santas are offering at a glance. Children and parents who don't want to know what's hidden in Santa's sack should look away now.

Santa has become somewhat of a celebrity these days - and finding one to visit without some charge attached has become somewhat of a rarity. However, there are still a few who open the doors to their grottos at no extra charge.

For those looking to combine Santa and shopping in London, both Harrods and Selfridges are in full Christmas mode, with both stores introducing an online booking system in an attempt to get queues down to a minimum. However, for this reason many tickets have already been snapped up. Harrods has now completely run out of tickets this year, but optimistic parents and their children can still head to the 4^th floor to check for last-minute spaces.

This year, Selfridges has a Santa Express theme. Until Christmas Eve, visitors can board a special train which will take you straight to Santa's doorstep. Visiting Santa is free of charge, and children even get a free copy of Raymond Briggs' The Snowman after their visit.

However, for the more impatient among us, £3 will buy you a fast-track ticket to Santa, where groups of up to 4 people can reserve a time and turn up five minutes before their allotted slot. Unfortunately, there are no more weekend tickets available, so book now to avoid the school holiday rush.

For Fools in Scotland this holiday, why not check out Edinburgh's Christmas Festival which is hosting a range of events, mostly free of charge? Those heading to West Princes Street Gardens on the weekend of 15^th-16^th December can witness Santa open his reindeer gardens, with a programme of events designed to entertain all the family. Kids can watch the reindeer being fed daily between 1pm - 4pm.

On the weekends of 15^th - 16^th and the 22^nd - 23^rd December, Santa's Lapland Village is also open for business. From 10am - 5pm, children will be entertained with stories by Santa and his helpers, and can participate in a craft session where they make their own antlers. Again, all of this is free.

For Brummies looking for a bargain, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is hosting a range of free events over the Christmas period. Each weekend in December, children under 8 will be able to say hello to Santa between 12 noon and 4pm. In addition, families heading to the museum can enjoy a special Christmas menu, with half-price meals for kids on 23^rd December. Admission to the museum is free of charge.

In addition, the Broad Street Canal Boat Light Parade is worth heading down for. The event takes place on the 9^th December from 5.30pm - 6.15pm, with pyrotechnic displays set to dazzle all.

Luxury Santas

For those looking for that extra special treat this Christmas, Hamleys, London's toy staple is offering children the chance to have breakfast with Santa. The package costs an eyewatering £35.00, but in return children get to spend just over an hour with the man himself and get to decorate their very own ginger biscuit to take home. They also get a goody bag which includes a Hamleys bear and a lollypop. Breakfast with Santa is on until Christmas Eve.

If you'd rather not shell out £35 to catch a glimpse of Santa, he also roams the store everyday between 11am - 4pm. Lucky children will be able to put in their Christmas requests and meet the man himself.

Also , for a traditional Christmas with a twist, why not head down to the London Aquarium? From 15^th December until 6^th January, Santa's special marine grotto is open for business. The marine theme doesn't stop with the fishes in this grotto, and lucky kids may even get a chance to see Santa diving into the tanks to feed the fish.

Kids receive a goody bag containing an activity pack with colouring pens and badges at no extra charge. If you book online you can even save 25% off all ticket prices. In addition, Oyster card holders can get half price adult tickets if they present their card at the box office on the day.

Whichever Santa you decide to visit this Christmas, make sure you're well prepared for your outing. Check with the venue to see if you can reserve your ticket in advance, and if you can, go during the week to avoid the busiest times. That way you can avoid both your children becoming impatient, as well as long queues at the checkout. And don't forget, you're never too old to see Santa!