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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think going to Lapland is more likely to make kids stop believing?

110 replies

growlum · 20/12/2024 00:49

Sister is in Lapland with niece and nephew.
They are 6 and 7.
I think there is a strong possibility they will come home no longer believing in Father Christmas, because the magic will have gone.
As a child, if somebody told me I was going to Lapland to see father Christmas, I would most definitely have been looking forward to seeing flying reindeer, tiny little elves and an incredible magic workshop like in all the Christmas movies.

There is no way my expectations would be met, and once I had visited lapland to find a distinct lack of observable magic, and rather a lot of gift shops, I think that would be the end of it for me.

AIBU to feel worried and a bit sad that this may be the end of my niece and nephew’s belief in Santa?

OP posts:
WeightLossGoal2024 · 21/12/2024 06:46

This makes me really want to go!

Can I ask for 2 adults& 2 children what would the estimated cost be? How many nights are needed to fit everything in?

Newmum738 · 21/12/2024 06:34

It doesn't matter. It's a wonderful experience and kids want to believe so I doubt it would have a negative impact. We are just back from there and had a wonderful time.

littlebilliie · 21/12/2024 06:27

We had a wonderful experience here in the UK when the children were about seven. The event was held in a big park and you had to get into Land Rover to cross the park to get to the caves where Santa and the reindeer were.

We had told our DC that Father Christmas had called in on his way. The night we went there was deep snow and it was like being in Narnia. I was so emotional because it was so magical and Father Christmas was wonderful.

Even though as adults they put back on this as one of their t wonderful Christmas memories.

Hold onto these moments of magic as they are few and far between you

Edingril · 21/12/2024 06:19

So seeing him out and about places at home makes kids believe more?

Not been have no desire to go but certainly don't get your point either

EasterIssland · 21/12/2024 06:13

LBFseBrom · 21/12/2024 05:02

What is the significance of Lapland with regard to Christmas? It seems as though an industry has been built around it in recent years, nobody much went there years ago. I don't get it.

It’s an industry but that’s where Santa comes from North Pole so makes sense to have it in that area

Petrasings · 21/12/2024 06:00

Schoolchoicesucks · 20/12/2024 09:24

This is an odd response.

Morocco can certainly be mesmerising and not sure why you would think it isn't for children.

Why on earth would anyone need to go anywhere if being told about it is considered the same as experiencing it.

I would happily go to either Morocco or Lapland right about now.

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Have you even been to Morocco?It doesn’t sound like it if you think it’s mesmerising. It’s not a particularly safe place. There is lots of crime and trouble. It feels very unsafe and is currently carryingva foreign office warning. Not comparable in any way to Lapland!!!!

LBFseBrom · 21/12/2024 05:02

What is the significance of Lapland with regard to Christmas? It seems as though an industry has been built around it in recent years, nobody much went there years ago. I don't get it.

Original poster
growlum · 21/12/2024 01:02

Ooh okay then, you’ve all sold it to me 😅 I might be booking a flight for myself next year then, ha!

OP posts:
Schoolchoicesucks · 20/12/2024 09:24

Petrasings · 20/12/2024 07:42

What a miserable thing to do! Lapland is utterly mesmerising in a way Morocco will never be! Morocco isn’t a great place for children. It is chaotic and dirty.
Why on earth would you need to take them all the way there to teach them there are other religions?! I assume you have explained that already as a parent, and also the school often cover different religious festivals 🤷‍♀️

Edited
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This is an odd response.

Morocco can certainly be mesmerising and not sure why you would think it isn't for children.

Why on earth would anyone need to go anywhere if being told about it is considered the same as experiencing it.

I would happily go to either Morocco or Lapland right about now.

purpleme12 · 20/12/2024 08:55

I think you're giving the children too much credit actually by thinking they'll stop believing because of Lapland 😂

Don't forget children often WANT to believe

Obviously there'll come a time when they don't but I don't think Lapland would generally be the turning point for lots of children

Buttonsmum67 · 20/12/2024 08:54

I went to Lapland in my 20s and started believing in Santa again haha. It is absolutely magical what they put on over there for a kids Christmas themed holiday!

ueberlin2030 · 20/12/2024 08:50

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2024 08:39

Of course there is!

Philistine

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I don't think there is, but who am I to tell you what to think. As I said, glad you had a good trip.

JeremiahBullfrog · 20/12/2024 08:42

I think seeing an amazing part of the real world is going to do much more good for your children than believing in some stupid fairy tale.

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2024 08:39

ueberlin2030 · 20/12/2024 08:29

There isn't a 'real' Santa imho. Glad you all enjoyed it though.

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Of course there is!

Philistine

liquoricetorpedoes · 20/12/2024 08:32

I’m with all the others, absolutely magical experience- went when mine were 6 and at 22 they still talk about it. I’ll never forget the gurgles of delight as we were being pulled along in sleds by reindeer in the snow going to visit Santa in a log cabin.

ueberlin2030 · 20/12/2024 08:29

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2024 08:26

For me it was a little bit of both.

For DS? Well he was four and cute.

I loved my Santa experience and DS still believes. Lapland is the real Santa but he understands that Santa can't visit all children so has helpers and you only get to meet the real Santa once if you are very lucky.

I love Santa. I still believe in Santa.

Red (age 46 and a half).

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There isn't a 'real' Santa imho. Glad you all enjoyed it though.

RedToothBrush · 20/12/2024 08:26

ueberlin2030 · 20/12/2024 01:24

Do people actually go to Lapland to further the whole santa thing? I always thought it was just a nice holiday.

For me it was a little bit of both.

For DS? Well he was four and cute.

I loved my Santa experience and DS still believes. Lapland is the real Santa but he understands that Santa can't visit all children so has helpers and you only get to meet the real Santa once if you are very lucky.

I love Santa. I still believe in Santa.

Red (age 46 and a half).

Neodymium · 20/12/2024 08:26

It is a magical place. I wanted to buy a reindeer skin and post it home but needed to know the weight for the post parcel size - I asked in Santa’s shop and they didn’t know the weight but they offered for me to take it over to the post office to check. I said I would pay or leave a deposit or something and they said no it’s fine. This is Santa’s house. No one steals from Santa’s house 😂

zeibesaffron · 20/12/2024 08:25

My 20 year old still talks about how amazing lapland was - I think he was 9 when we went! It was truly magical - all the elves, trips, snowball fights, the northern lights, the hotel pantomime, hot chocolate - one of the best times I have ever had too! It really is magical!

SlightDrip · 20/12/2024 08:24

LBFseBrom · 20/12/2024 07:25

Why are you worried about it? They are at the age when most kids have worked out the truth of the Santa myth. It doesn't stop them enjoying Christmas.

So many Mumsnet posts reinforce my belief that Father Christmas, sleighs and elves stories mean more to the adults than the kids.

Absolutely this. We never pushed the ‘FC is literally real’ thing, and a lot of kids at DS’s first primary were either from cultures that didn’t celebrate Christmas at all, or from cultures that celebrated Christmas but with a different story about who brings presents, but DS (now 12) adores everything about Christmas, and is wildly enthusiastic about decorating the tree, presents, carols, lights, films, leaving out mince pies etc etc. He’s a total Christmasophile.

All that guff about ‘magic’ meaning ‘belief in FC’ and parents going to endless lengths to preserve the illusion is adults projecting like mad.

CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets · 20/12/2024 08:23

growlum · 20/12/2024 00:49

Sister is in Lapland with niece and nephew.
They are 6 and 7.
I think there is a strong possibility they will come home no longer believing in Father Christmas, because the magic will have gone.
As a child, if somebody told me I was going to Lapland to see father Christmas, I would most definitely have been looking forward to seeing flying reindeer, tiny little elves and an incredible magic workshop like in all the Christmas movies.

There is no way my expectations would be met, and once I had visited lapland to find a distinct lack of observable magic, and rather a lot of gift shops, I think that would be the end of it for me.

AIBU to feel worried and a bit sad that this may be the end of my niece and nephew’s belief in Santa?

Have you been? I went as a small child and my memories are magical. Its honestly fantastic.

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 20/12/2024 08:22

We took my 3 when they were 9, 7 and 5

they loved it and didn’t come back not believing

it was only a day trip but it was really good

Wrappingpapere · 20/12/2024 08:21

Hmm I wonder if you’re a bit jealous?

I’ve heard the opposite is true about going to Lapland over Christmas!

DataPup · 20/12/2024 08:18

It would definitely cause some questioning around here, as Santa lives in Greenland according to Danish traditions.

ChampagneLassie · 20/12/2024 08:15

I’ve always felt a bit meh about Christmas but reading this makes me want to book a trip! My eldest only 2.5 so will wait a few years