In Perfect Elf
So here I am, sporting rosy cheeks, a less-thanfetching pair of green velvet trousers (with bells) and a fur-trimmed hat. It’s not my ordinary choice of office outfit. But then this is not an ordinary day at the office. For since I have been a particularly good young lady this year (honestly) I have been invited to help out the big man himself – well, I wouldn’t dress up in this outfit for anyone less than Santa. And with a little guidance I will also be helping to spread some festive cheer as an honorary Winter Wonderland elf.
There’s no shortage of Christmas grottoes at this time of year, but some are truly magical – such as the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which boasts a smorgasbord of beautifully decorated rides, children’s attractions and, most importantly for the adults, plenty of stalls selling mulled wine and other festive treats.
Since it opened in 2007, some 10 million people have enjoyed the attractions here – and no visit is complete without popping in to see Father Christmas himself.
During the week, he is joined by an elf, who helps to keep the children entertained when the queue gets long or when he’s off feeding his reindeer (or on a mince pie break). But how hard can an elf’s life be? I was about to find out.
Of course, I have to start off by looking the part. Thankfully, top elf Holly (who apparently has an elf age of 108 – I’m not sure whether that’s young or old for an elf) kits me out with an extraordinary outfit – and my very own elf name: Ivy.
Before we open the grotto, Holly explains that the most important thing is for every child to leave happy. Which is actually easier said than done. Although Santa brings joy to children around the world every 25 December, meeting the man himself can be quite emotional for some – as I discover when the first visitor promptly burst into tears.
But that is where the elves come in. Not only are they supremely good at building the latest toys and packing them into Santa’s sack, they’re also rather good at making children smile. Following Holly’s guidance, I’m soon pulling silly faces, flashing cheesy grins left, right and centre and asking all the children what they want for Christmas.
Despite my best attempts at being the jolliest elf there ever was, however, not all the children are happy. Holly tells me that you always get a few of them who shed a tear, especially the younger ones.
Everyone seems rather keen to tell me what they want for Christmas, though. One little girl excitedly informs me that she wants not one but 20 presents from Santa. She promises to put extra carrots out for the reindeer on Christmas Eve to make up for them having to carry so much.
One boy actually brought a whole bag of carrots to give to the reindeer, which Santa politely accepted, telling the young lad he would feed them with the carrots later when he goes to London Zoo (which is where we tell the children the reindeer are staying).
Sadly, it’s rather a rainy day at the Winter Wonderland. Despite this, however, a steady stream of families arrives to take part in one of the oldest Christmas traditions. And besides, it’s the spirit that makes Christmas, even if the snow does fail to fall.
As for me… well, I think one day as an elf is quite enough – it really is quite exhausting. But then I did get to give Santa my wish list in person this year. And given that I helped him out for the day, it may be my best Christmas morning yet.
From 1890 onwards, grottoes started to appear around the world. One sprung up in James Edgar's department store in Brockton, Massachusetts. It was one of the first grottos in the US.
Australia joined the party in 1896, when the Magic Cave was built at John Martin's department store in Adelaide.
There’s no shortage of Christmas grottoes at this time of year, but some are truly magical – such as the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which boasts a smorgasbord of beautifully decorated rides, children’s attractions and, most importantly for the adults, plenty of stalls selling mulled wine and other festive treats.
Since it opened in 2007, some 10 million people have enjoyed the attractions here – and no visit is complete without popping in to see Father Christmas himself.
During the week, he is joined by an elf, who helps to keep the children entertained when the queue gets long or when he’s off feeding his reindeer (or on a mince pie break). But how hard can an elf’s life be? I was about to find out.
Of course, I have to start off by looking the part. Thankfully, top elf Holly (who apparently has an elf age of 108 – I’m not sure whether that’s young or old for an elf) kits me out with an extraordinary outfit – and my very own elf name: Ivy.
Before we open the grotto, Holly explains that the most important thing is for every child to leave happy. Which is actually easier said than done. Although Santa brings joy to children around the world every 25 December, meeting the man himself can be quite emotional for some – as I discover when the first visitor promptly burst into tears.
But that is where the elves come in. Not only are they supremely good at building the latest toys and packing them into Santa’s sack, they’re also rather good at making children smile. Following Holly’s guidance, I’m soon pulling silly faces, flashing cheesy grins left, right and centre and asking all the children what they want for Christmas.
Despite my best attempts at being the jolliest elf there ever was, however, not all the children are happy. Holly tells me that you always get a few of them who shed a tear, especially the younger ones.
Everyone seems rather keen to tell me what they want for Christmas, though. One little girl excitedly informs me that she wants not one but 20 presents from Santa. She promises to put extra carrots out for the reindeer on Christmas Eve to make up for them having to carry so much.
One boy actually brought a whole bag of carrots to give to the reindeer, which Santa politely accepted, telling the young lad he would feed them with the carrots later when he goes to London Zoo (which is where we tell the children the reindeer are staying).
Sadly, it’s rather a rainy day at the Winter Wonderland. Despite this, however, a steady stream of families arrives to take part in one of the oldest Christmas traditions. And besides, it’s the spirit that makes Christmas, even if the snow does fail to fall.
As for me… well, I think one day as an elf is quite enough – it really is quite exhausting. But then I did get to give Santa my wish list in person this year. And given that I helped him out for the day, it may be my best Christmas morning yet.
An elf-sized history of grottoes
The Santa's grotto began to appear in 1879 (shortly before the first issue of The Lady). Like all great traditions, the idea of a grotto was born in Britain, with the first one known as Christmas Fairyland, in Lewis's Bon Marché department store in Liverpool. The grotto covered more than 10,000 square feet and became a highlight of the festive season.From 1890 onwards, grottoes started to appear around the world. One sprung up in James Edgar's department store in Brockton, Massachusetts. It was one of the first grottos in the US.
Australia joined the party in 1896, when the Magic Cave was built at John Martin's department store in Adelaide.