A mum who took her seven-year-old son to a grotto says she was left reeling when Santa promised he would get a toy costing £400. Linda Belnik, 35, and Joshua, seven, say the shopping centre Santa gleefully talked about getting him a Star Wars Death Star Lego set. They claim Santa said: “See this white phone? I will call the elves now and get them to make it for you.” While the youngster was full of ho-ho-ho, Linda came over all woe, woe, woe. And as a row unfolded, shopping centre bosses hit back, saying “no, no, no – our Santa would never do that”! Linda said: “I was stood there cringing. I couldn’t believe he’d promised such an expensive toy. Santas usually tell kids they’ll see what they can do, not promise anything. “It doesn’t matter if he wants a teddy bear, or a pony, he can’t promise something to a kid. As a parent, I had made the decision he would not be getting the set as it costs so much. It’s put me in a really awkward position.” Linda did not cause a scene as she had Joshua and five-year-old twins Jasmine and Jasper with her and did not want to ruin their image of Christmas .
“I couldn’t ask to see Santa’s manager in front of my children,” she added. Joshua is now confused, with mum saying he’s not getting the prezzie – while believing Santa said he is. Linda added: “Santa has no idea what anyone’s financial situation is. It is wrong he’s promising toys. It sets kids up for disappointment if parents can’t afford it. “I had already told Joshua he is not getting the present, so that’s why it’s even more upsetting as he now truly believes he is. He’s walking around saying Santa said he will get the toy.” Linda complained to Westfield shopping centre in White City, West London, after getting home. As a gesture of goodwill, Westfield offered a free ice-skating package for the family. But Linda, a building company director from Camberley, Surrey, said: “It doesn’t help explain to my son why he’s not got his present on Christmas Day.” Westfield said: “All grotto staff are trained and follow script guidelines which, under no circumstances, include the promise of specific gifts. “
The Santa has over 20 years’ experience and has not promised specific gifts to the child. “Westfield is committed to providing the best experience for children and families.” Linda last night stood by her and her son’s version, saying: “That’s what he said, end of.” Used & new (121) from $469.50 + $13.49 shipping Sold by Play Zone and Fulfilled by Amazon. There is a newer model of this item: LEGO Star Wars Death Star 75159 LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188) (Discontinued by manufacturer) LEGO Star Wars Death Star (10188) Recreate the action and adventure of the Star Wars movies with the ultimate Death Star playset! This amazingly detailed battle station features an incredible array of minifigure-scale scenes, moving parts, characters and accessories from Episodes IV and VI on its multiple decks, including the Death Star control room, rotating turbolaser turrets, hangar bay with TIE Advanced starfighter, tractor beam controls, Emperor’s throne room, detention block, firing laser cannon, Imperial conference chamber, droid maintenance facility, and the powerful Death Star superlaser…plus much more!
Swing across the chasm with Luke and Leia, face danger in the crushing trash compactor, and duel with Darth Vader for the fate of the galaxy! Battle inside the Death Star™! Recreate the action and adventure of the Star Wars™ movies with the ultimate Death Star playset! Swing across the chasm with Luke and Leia, face danger in the crushing trash compactor, and duel with Darth Vader for the fate of the galaxy! Reenact the final duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the Emperor's Throne Room! Death Star measures 16” (41cm) tall and 16½” (42cm) wide! TIE Advanced measures 3½" (9cm) wide! Rescue Princess Leia from the detention block cell, then escape through the secret hatch to the trash compactor below! Recreate the action and adventure of the Star Wars™ movies with the ultimate Death Star playset. Swing across the chasm with Luke and Leia, face danger in the crushing trash compactor, and duel with Darth Vader for the fate of the galaxy. Includes 24 minifigures and droids, plus all-new Dianoga™ trash compactor monster.
Also includes Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi™, C-3PO™, R2-D2™, Princess Leia™, Chewbacca™, Luke Skywalker (Jedi Knight), Darth Vader™, Grand Moff Tarkin™, Emperor Palpatine™, 2 Stormtroopers, 2 Emperor's Royal Guards™, R2-Q5™, and mouse droid. 23.1 x 6.9 x 19.8 inches 17.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) 12 - 20 years #30,948 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games) #215 in Toys & Games > Collectible Trading Cards & Accessories > Decks & Sets #4,381 in Toys & Games > Games 5 star83%4 star9%3 star5%2 star1%1 star2%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsShame, Thy Name is Lego Death Star! :(Impressive Set that Builds more than a Lego SetMy kids love it!You won't regret buying this one. Awesome and full of detail. See and discover other items: clearance legoOne ardent Marine has been collecting Lego sets from the age of five and has now accrued - and built – a staggering 1,091 Lego sets, which are proudly displayed in his home.
The meticulous hobby has earned Captain Kyle Ugone the title of world champion for the most completed Lego sets in a private collection.But now that Capt. Ugone has the Guinness world record, he says he’ll slowly begin taking down the sets, which are eating up a large area in his Yuma, Arizona home. Legoland: A Marine captain now holds the world record for the most privately-owned Lego sets - Capt Kyle Ugone has over one thousand assembled throughout his home Legos aplenty: Most of Ugone's collection is displayed on tables throughout the house and setup in themes, like trains, Star Wars and space (pictured above) Everything in its right place: A surprising collection of castles, figures, and other Legos sits atop a pool table, and a toy car collection sits on the nearest table ‘I got my first set as a gift when I was five years old,’ Capt. Ugone told the American Foreign Press Service. ‘It’s a windmill and I still have it today. From there,’ he said, ‘I kept getting more and more sets.’The Guinness record states he has 1,091 sets, but according to the press service, it’s 1,251 sets.
And they’re not simply starter kits. One contains more than 5,000 individual blocks.Rooms in Capt. Ugone’s house are full to the brim of Lego sets, which are separated by genre. There are sections devoted to space, others to trains, castles, architecture, and Star Wars.The Lego enthusiast first got the idea to go for the world record in 2009, after talking to other collectors online. ‘I was talking to a guy who said he wanted to build every set Lego has ever made,’ Capt. Ugone said. However, some sets are incredibly rare. Others are available only in certain parts of the world. Master collector: Marine Captain Kyle Ugone shows off his Lego Death Star (left) and the Millennium Falcon (right), along with his certificate proving the feat After contacting Guinness, he discovered that no record yet existed for the most privately-owned Lego sets, but they required at least 500 for a record to be declared.He said he had around 600 to 700 sets at the time. ’I spent a lot of time scouring the Internet to purchase more sets and built them,’ he said.