Cinnamon Grand’s third Santa’s Workshop thrills children

On Tuesday, 21 December, children flocked to the Cinnamon Grand’s Atrium Lobby in anticipation of the hotel’s third iteration of its popular Santa’s Workshop.

With over 240 registered children, the event promised to be bigger than ever and had lofty expectations to fulfil as the children queued up eagerly at the entrance for a session of exciting activities.

The prevailing themes of fun and inventiveness marked a return to the original Santa’s Workshop in contrast to last year’s event which introduced a focus on pressing issues such as global warming.

The kids were ushered into a wide open space by the side of Santa’s Polar Express where they had broken for camp. Towering tents marked the different locations for the activities with a backdrop of starry skies overhead.

In the cookery section the kids made a delicious Snowman Cake which most of them ate on the spot! As part of the handicrafts activities the kids made reindeer pencil holders as a helpful stationary item for their desks and a Christmas tree ornament to be taken home to their parents.

The children showed immense dedication and interest in completing the handicrafts and kept checking their bags periodically to see if they were still there!

The kids were also tested on their knowledge of Christmas origins, myths and traditions in a ‘Did you know?’ tent. The kids were given flash cards and were asked to raise the correct one high in the air in response to the respective question. It was a hotly contested affair with the winners taking home sparkly glass cups. Through this quiz, the importance of reading was imparted to the children.

Another message was highlighted to the kids when Uncle Buddhika from the School for the Deaf & Blind taught them how to say “Merry Christmas” and “Happy New Year” in sign language. This simple activity showed the children just how fortunate they are to possess all their senses and they took the lesson to heart.

Towards the end of the workshop the children met Santa and then were invited by him to a special VVIP meal. Before the meal started, Director F&B Justin Dingle taught them all about the importance of proper table manners.

The hotel’s Drama Troupe demonstrated how they should not behave at the table in a little skit which included food being thrown around and gobbled down!

All in all, Santa’s Workshop was a resounding success this year with the kids taking home their creations and some important life lessons.