No wonder Santa looks so cheerful. With a workshop surrounded by treats and goodies almost too numerous to mention who wouldn’t be going HoHoHo!
Did you know that one of Santa’s elves was so excited by the opening of the skating rink next to the workshop that he rushed out to skate on his lunchbreak and slipped on the ice and hurt his hand. So be careful on that wonderful skating rink that is already a social magnet attracting so many of our teens as well. So now there is now a vacancy in Santa’s workshop. Applications are pouring in to be a Santa’s elf! Get your application in fast! This is the place to be for a mega-dose of Christmas spirit.
But don’t tell anyone the real reason the little elf slipped on the ice – he had had one too many glasses of mulled wine on his lunch-break! Don’t you love hot wine in this weather – a warm glow on the inside with a combination of the Christmas spirit in this market and warm wine on your lips, and maybe a few oysters. And if alcohol is not your thing – don’t miss out, do the same with Hot Chocolate.
The Christmas shopping experience is fun by itself, when you are not distracted by the dazzling array of choices of what to eat, whether savoury or sweet.There is artisanal everything here, but not just in food and drink. There are 25 cottages full of Christmas ideas and gifts; you name it whether it is candles, perfumes, apparel, jewellery, and all within reach of most budgets. Go for a wander and take it in. If you stroll past all 25 chalets that is enough exercise to deserve a treat – except the array of choices will drive you and any friends and children with you wild.
HelloMonaco interviewed a Chalet selling exotic teas and who had been part of the Monaco Christmas Village for four years, each year a success. It was difficult to concentrate fully on the conversation such was the attraction of the scent from the extraordinary array of teas. What is best we wonder, drinking a wonderful beverage or just taking in the “perfume” which together with the attractive displays are feasts for the senses. And just a few steps away another feast for the eyes and stomach. Pain d’Epice. These will make lovely presents, everything is so attractively packaged.
But above all the Monaco Christmas village is a social experience and not just for the young — the only qualification here is to be young at heart. Hello Monaco was there to experience it on the opening day. Even on the first day at 5 pm the market was teaming with people, enjoying themselves – congregating, socializing, so many places to sit and enjoy each other’s company and be cheerful. Social is the name of the game here; come with family or friends. The venue is perfect for promenading just as it is for sitting and chatting. Port Hercule is ideal with its scale and its boulevard design. The atmosphere is similar, very French and in Monaco always international. Oh and the Italian bonhomie is everywhere, too.
This must be one of the few places left in the world where children are not glued to their iphones instagramming, or playing video-games or some other new toy of the digital age. And one of the few where you can sit and eat in many of the attractive bar and restaurant areas, but also the Mairie has provided lots of rustic picnic style benches and tables throughout. People watching and Christmas shopping surrounded by Santa, his elves and Christmas trees!
The Monaco Christmas Village is a human experience, it is poles apart from a digital one. The children are running around playing, having good old-fashioned non-digital fun. Santa’s workshops add to this. The little kids love them. They are placed all over the Christmas village. Stores could learn from the displays – the kids are goggle-eyed, maybe the parents more so – they are taking lots of photos! It’s difficult to say who is having more fun.
Christmas is very much about children and this is a must visit for families. It doesn’t need much in addition with all the sparkling lights, the countless lighted fir trees, sweets galore, ability to run around, rides, Christmas displays everywhere, a baby Circus, Ferris wheel and Carousel rides and the icing rink a hop skip and jump away. But the Mairie has put together an incredible program for the kids of creative workshops, parades of stuffed animals and free shows.
Here is just a flavour for the coming week. But go to the Mairie website. There is something happening all the time until January 7th. The Christmas Village is worth several visits. Meanwhile, eat, drink, promenade, shop and just gather around to socialize and Be Merry. And don’t forget the kids – this is their dream spot for Christmas.
Creative workshops for children
Children’s makeup, balloons, angels, greeting card, Christmas balls, candles, Christmas socks, Christmas garlands.
– Friday, December 8, 2017: Magic Cards
– Saturday, December 9, 2017: Children’s Make Up
– Sunday, December 10th, 2017: Creation Coiffes
– Wednesday 13 December 2017: Christmas garlands
– Saturday, December 16, 2017: Christmas Boxes
– Sunday, December 17, 2017: Making Angels
LOTS MORE UP UNTIL
– Sunday 07 January 2018:
Strolls and parades with wading birds, giant soft toys, musical groups – From 3 pm to 7 pm
Polar Bear Parade: Saturday, December 9, 2017
Red Riding Hood Parade: Sunday, December 10, 2017
Reindeer Parade: Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The aréopostale: Saturday, December 16, 2017
Christmas Elves: Sunday, December 17, 2017
Free Animations
Musical Evenings: Every Friday and Saturday evening from 7pm to 10pm
Puppeteer: Sunday 10, Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 December 2017, Tuesday 2, Thursday 4 and Sunday 7 January 2018 from 15h to 19h
Treasure Hunt: Friday, December 8th 2017 from 3pm to 7pm
Santa’s Photo Workshop: Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th, Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th of December from 3pm to 7pm
New Year’s Eve – Sunday, December 31st 2017
