Festive spirit arrives at Thistles shopping centre, Stirling
Shoppers of all ages will be able to get into the festive spirit with a visit to the Thistles’ grotto where they’ll be able to write their very own letter to Santa, take a photo in his magical sleigh and receive an age-appropriate gift to take home.
Last year’s grotto was a sell-out – with almost £6,000 raised for Strathcarron Hospice. As such, visitors are encouraged to book early to secure their spot and help support a much-loved local charity.
This year, shoppers visiting Thistles, Stirling, will have the chance to support Start Up Stirling as the centre will once again host ‘giving trees.’ Christmas trees will be decorated with gift tags throughout the mall.
Each gift tag will describe some of the items that Start Up Stirling needs most this Christmas.
Shoppers can select a gift tag before purchasing the gift along with their usual shopping before leaving it at the dedicated drop-off point in the mall to be distributed to those in need this winter.
‘Christmas is a time for giving and we’re delighted to be supporting two local charities again this year as part of our ongoing Thistles Helps initiative,’ says Gary Turnbull, Centre Director at Thistles.
‘I am extremely grateful for the kindness and generosity of Thistles staff and shoppers for supporting both Strathcarron Hospice and Start Up Stirling through this year’s Santa’s grotto and the giving trees.’
‘It’s less than two weeks until Santa arrives at Thistles and we’re looking forward to welcoming families from Stirling and beyond along to the centre as part of their Christmas celebrations.’
Families across Stirling and Forth Valley will have a chance to visit Santa every Saturday and Sunday between 1000 to 1300 and from 1400 to 1800 (from Saturday 18th November until Sunday 16th December). Tickets cost £6.95 per child with every penny donated to Strathcarron Hospice.
In the week running up to Christmas there will be even more opportunities to experience the magic as Santa will be in his grotto every day from Monday 18th December to Sunday 24th December.
A five-year-old, from Stirling, in Scotland, recently had his dreams come true when he used the wishing well at Thistles shopping centre. Tait Hiddleston couldn’t believe his luck when his first trip to a football match saw him take to the pitch with the team!
The centre introduced the chance to ‘win a wish’ as a way to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who goes there.
