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

My son was 5 when we went last year
yes you’re right it was magical
no you’re wrong it didn’t ruin the magic not seeing the reindeer’s fly

I feel a bit weird about the whole Lapland thing to be honest. It feels like one thing to tell your kids that Santa exists, but a whole other level of extending the lie to actually take them to Lapland, pretend that Santa lives there and it's really magical etc. It all seems so elaborate.

On the other hand I know people who've been and I only ever hear good things, it sounds like an amazing holiday. I haven't heard of any kids stop believing as a result.

Properly read this in a Richard Attenborough/Miracle on 34th Street voice!

Everything I've heard about Lapland is that it's amazing, magical, and not a tourist trap at all. DS is still young enough to believe blindly, but I've been saving since he was 2 for a Lapland trip when he's wavering.

I don’t think you need to worry about them OP. I’ve never been (I’d love to!) but everyone I know who has says it’s completely magical.

You sound jealous that your sister is able to give your niece and nephew this magical experience OP.
Masking it as concerns, isn't cutting it.

Do you have children who are not going to have this experience?

That's interesting. I always thought the same - takes the mystery away. However, a few people I know have done it and said it was really magical etc so I assumed it was really well done. But then I heard Josh Widdecombe talk about it on parenting hell podcast recently and he really didn't sound like he rated it from a. 'Santa,' point of view, only for the fun of the snow. And at one point did mention a place with loads of 'see Santa here ' signs which sounded very tacky and non magical. ... So now I'm not sure how I'm picturing it...but we can't afford anyway.

Who ordered the Grinch!

YABU. Lapland is incredible. Your niece and nephew are very lucky.

Absolutely magical for the adults and children. No shops where we were. The elves were just the best, the magic of visiting Santa - won't spoil it but yep - the best! Hope to go back as a family and our youngsters are all much older. This time will go for (hopefully) the amazing snow, snow mobiles and perhaps try skiing. Their best holiday EVER! Only advice - go for 4 days of you can, not just the day.

This was the post I planned to quote! But lovely to read about the magic in Auntie's post.

Last year my 7yo REALLY wanted answers about how the Elf moves. We told her it was us and she carried on the same that year. This year, she 'believes' again and is asking questions again (although less insistently!) She wants to believe, as it's all magical and fun. She also loves unicorns, has imaginary friends, pretends teddies are alive. The real/not real distinction is less.

Separate to that she is pretty logical and scientific. It's fascinating. She knows deep down these things aren't possible but the world is more fun when we have some belief that they are.

" mind blowing"

We took DD aged 9 on cusp of not believing... definitely got a few more yrs out of it.
She is now 27 and says seeing Santa holding the letter she had written and posted in our village postbox ( they gave us two envelopes..and by sleight of hand you post childs letter back to travel company and fake one to Lapland) was so kind blowing to her younger self ...she believed

Have you actually been to Lapland @growlum? It’s so magical and an amazing place. You need to see it really.

I don’t understand the desperation to keep them believing for as long as possible. Especially when they are not even your kids. However I am jealous of all you lot who have gone - sounds amazing. Presumably as grown-ups you are aware Santa is not real and even so you still had a great time!

I've never been but I've heard it is lovely.

Reindeer only fly on Christmas Eve, surely everyone knows that

It’s just so magical. The whole feel of the trip is ‘Santa is real’ and definitely added to the belief for my kids. We did huskies, reindeer, snow mobiles & and an artic ceremony, as well meeting Saints, mrs Claus and lots of elves. We still talk about it today & they ask if we can do a return trip.they’re 17 &15 now, but it really was a magical holiday for us.

Children aren't rational adults. They will believe because it's what they've been told and what they want to be true. They won't dissect it and come up with arguments as to why the adults are wrong till they are a bit older. Plus, I still like the magic of FC even though I stopped believing well over 50 years ago!

Completly wrong! Took DS aged 6, now 10, he’s on the cusp but we got a good extra couple of years believing out of it. It was completly magical. A reindeer met us from the plane! Dog sleds, reindeer rides, snow ball fight's with elves, iglu’s, campfires in the snow, 6 ft of snow!
in the last 4 years we see other santas, but ‘I know there just helpers mum as we saw the real one’

Didn't see one gift shop, went to a winter wonderland and it was magical, I definitely still believe!

6 and 7 no, I’d think they could easily still come home believing- 9 or over I’d worry

Sounds wonderful! I had friends go the other week though and no snow unfortunately which meant no sleigh type activities.

YABU, I took DS when he was 5 and it was amazing. He didn't stop believing at all.

We went, and like @Aposterhasnoname i left in the brink of believing. It was a wonderful experience. The Christmas bits were amazing and so well done and the snow and beauty of the area just finished of the feeling. It’s honestly one of the best holidays we have done.

It’s incredibly magical, hell, it almost had me believing. Besides, everyone knows reindeers only fly on Christmas Eve, and the toy workshop is invisible to humans..