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Original poster

To think Lapland might be a let down?

78 replies

WillowB · 20/08/2018 21:58

Hoping for some advice from people that have been.

In short DH has some company shares that mature next year. Should be around 4K in total. We had always said that we would use the money to take our boys aged 7 & 4 to Lapland.
Anyway we moved into a money pit of a house last yr & I'm thinking that maybe it would be more sensible to spend a bit on the house (have no floor in the hallway) and the rest on a cheaper short haul holiday to Majorca or similar.
I'm a bit torn though. We have little disposable income as I currently work part time so wouldn't really be able to save for Lapland. If DH takes out another share save then it won't mature for another 4 yrs so it's probably now or never.
If you've been, was it worth it?

OP posts:
Sophieelmer · 22/08/2018 21:17

willow are you not planning to take all your kids?

3girlmama · 22/08/2018 21:21

We went in 2015
It was the BEST holiday I've ever had. 3 days on Kitilla (sp) with my dh, dd1&2 and DM.
Do it OO! It's awesome!!!

Original poster
WillowB · 22/08/2018 21:30

I only have 2 and planning to take them both. I mentioned the ages they will be when they travel in my OP not the ages they are now so this is possibly the confusion?

OP posts:
TSSDNCOP · 22/08/2018 21:34

We are doing the 1 day trip this year a few days before Xmas eve. I literally cannot wait! DH is Hmm

Original poster
WillowB · 22/08/2018 21:41

I'm starting to think the day trip might be a good compromise? Especially as I don't know how well youngest DS will react to the cold.
Those that have done them, did you fit everything in that you wanted to do?

OP posts:
3girlmama · 22/08/2018 21:44

Dd1 was 7 and dd2 was 5 when we went. They had a wonderful time.
We fitted everything into 3 days.

madeyemoodysmum · 22/08/2018 21:46

We went and loved it. One of our best memories along with Disney.

Cliches I know.

dangermouseisace · 22/08/2018 22:05

I wonder who my kids (with STBXH) went with, because they had such a shit time on their 1 day trip. They didn’t get a chance to do everything they wanted as they only had a few hours there, due to travelling time and plane delays. It took a long time to get there, and then delays made it worse. They went mid December. They were all absolutely exhausted at the end of it all, and had to be kept off school as a consequence.

sockunicorn · 22/08/2018 23:29

*We went and loved it. One of our best memories along with Disney.

Cliches I know.*

lapland and disney are my favourite places too :). i constantly want to go back to disney and, when ive had a shit day at work, look it up online and price up my next trip to cheer myself up Blush

madeyemoodysmum · 23/08/2018 15:12

Tip. We went early. End of Nov As we were so off season we got the whole trip
For £1500.

barleyreed · 23/08/2018 19:18

This thread has made me want to go! Madeye, who did you book with? Great tip, thank you. DS1 and DS2 a bit young but gives me time to save up!

CookPassBabtridge · 23/08/2018 19:22

You only live once OP. DO IT! The house is liveable and can wait.

hugglesfor4 · 23/08/2018 19:36

I took my eldest 3 when they were 4,5 and 8. We went with santas Lapland for 3 days and it was magical. Accommodation wad basic but I didn't matter as we were only there for sleeping. It was cold but you move around a lot on the activities so it didn't feel too bad plus the clothing provided kept us warm.We're now going back for a day trip with our youngest who is 6. It is expensive but so worth it. My daughter was 8 when she went, is now 15 and still talks about how magical it was.

alleypalley · 23/08/2018 19:46

We went for Christmas 2012. It was amazing, DC were 2&7. They were both fine with the cold, first stop after the airport is the snowsuit place where everyone gets a snow suit, mittens and boots. There were elves 'greeting' us at the airport and it was action packed from there on.

We were in Norway but I can't remember where, our accommodation was excellent, we were in a separate appartment block to the hotel and had a sauna in the bathroom.

I would definitely recommend it, and I would recommend a few days rather than a day trip.

ILikeyourHairyHands · 23/08/2018 20:30

Ohhh. This thread has made me get booking. Think we'll go for a week through as ski company as advised and book the tours separately, any reccomendations for operators? And is it best to book the trips when we get there or through the operator?

DH was angling for a ski-trip this year anyway so I've sold it to him on that. The DCs are 10 & 11 now so probably not that interested in Father Christmas (although they were both clinging on to belief last year DS starts secondary in September so I suspect he's honouring me...).

ILikeyourHairyHands · 23/08/2018 21:08

Humouring, not bloody honouring!

MycatsaPirate · 23/08/2018 21:17

I took DD1 for the day when she was 8. We flew from Glasgow and our flight was at a ridiculously early hour, 2/3rds of the passengers were aged under 10 and the crew were handing out singalong xmas song sheets as we boarded. It's the craziest most fun flight I've ever been on. The captain was telling us to look out for flying reindeer and the crew had everyone singing.

We got there are around 10am and spent the day sledging, building snowmen, snow mobile, sleigh ride pulled by reindeer and a sledge pulled by huskys. We had lunch in a cabin in the forest which had no utilities so everything was cooked on a huge open fire in a pit in the centre. And all lit with candle lamps.

The highlight was visiting Santa in his cabin, tucked away, covered in snow, with two reindeer in his garden. He had an open fire and it was all laid out with pillows, reindeer pelts and was so perfect. He was a wonderful santa and they all got a present.

We got home about 11pm, absolutely shattered. But so worth it! DD is 20 now and still talks about that day.

Money can buy you a new something for your house or give your children memories which will last a lifetime. They are only little and still believe. There is nothing more magical than watching the awe in your child's face.

BitchQueen90 · 23/08/2018 21:19

I'm taking DS for 4 nights right before Christmas and I'm honestly so excited!

MycatsaPirate · 23/08/2018 21:22

This is who we went with back in 2005
www.laplandtripsdirect.com/lapland/daytrips/1daytrips

madeyemoodysmum · 23/08/2018 21:22

We went with Santa Claus holiday village and flights with Finn air.

Went weekend in late November. 3 nights £1500. was fab. Finland is fascinating.

I'd love to go to Helsinki for a weekend too. This was 5 years ago tho so not sure how much it's changed.

pandarific · 23/08/2018 21:25

I have heard that it's awful if you don't get the snow - and with the weather the way it is it might be a risk.

RippleEffects · 23/08/2018 21:26

Look at flight prices and flight plus hotel on the likes of expedia.

If you'd consider Feb half term rather than the peek Dec time, daylight is a little longer and prices far lower.

AriadnePersephoneCloud · 23/08/2018 21:27

Exactly what NoFuckingRoomOnMyBroom said. Amazing. Loved it.

fairgame84 · 23/08/2018 21:28

Go! It's amazing!

To think Lapland might be a let down?
To think Lapland might be a let down?
To think Lapland might be a let down?
kelly14 · 23/08/2018 21:37

Off topic but great to hear such good reviews.
We have 23 of us going for 3 nights this December can’t wait.

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