Film company helping children enjoy magic of meeting Santa

Parents can send the company details about their children and the firm will then produce a personalised video message from Santa along with a reading of a bedtime story.

The DVD can then be played in family homes on Christmas Eve to get the magic of the season started.

As well as youngsters who will miss out on meeting the big man due to the pandemic Rocking Horse is also hoping the videos will prove popular with parents of children with disabilities or conditions which make visiting a standard grotto difficult or stressful.

Lizzy said: “It has been a horrible year with Covid and Gareth came up with this great idea of doing a personalised Santa’s grotto.

“We decided to do something specific for each child so they can actually feel they are in a grotto with Santa.

“They can unwrap the DVD on Christmas Eve, pop it into the player and it will come up with Santa knowing what they’ve asked for and all about their brothers and sisters.

“I know a lot of parents want to take their children to see Santa this year but because of Covid they are anxious.

“The whole idea of this is to bring Santa to their living rooms. At the end of the personal message there will also be a bedtime story, the Night Before Christmas, that kind of thing.

“This could also work for children with special needs who don’t like loud environments. My four-year-old son is autistic and he doesn’t like people he doesn’t know.”

Lizzy and Gareth say they are considering keeping the virtual grottos going in the future for children with sensory issues who struggle to cope with seeing Father Christmas in a busy public place.

Parents who want to take part need to email the company as much detail as they want to be included.

This will obviously include the child’s name but could also be the names of pets and siblings, who is coming round for Christmas dinner, information about a big present they will be getting for Santa to hint at, and even the household’s unique December 24 routine.

Both the box and disc will be personalised with the young recipient’s name on them.

Rocking Horse is also considering ways of making Christmas special for children in hospital who might not be able to spend the day with their families.

To find out more or request a DVD, email [email protected]

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