To even consider it?

[guzzlepuzzle]

So I have 3 DC my DS 12 and DD 9 don't believe in Santa but my youngest DS does. I really really want to take them to Lapland but I can't afford to stay this year but can afford the day trip BUT the day trip is a really long day and I fear they will end up moaning because they're tired! So AIBU to even consider spending over 2K for a day trip when 2 don't believe or should I just bite the bullet and take them because we may not get the opportunity again?

With older DC , I'd love to see the Northern Lights (on a cruise)

You can do the husky sleigh rides at Lapland. The huskies get very excited when they run and they sometimes slip out some liquid pooh.....which gets kicked up as they run in your FACE < not envy )

I went when I was 10 and it was amazing but would have been even better if I believed in Santa at the time.

Why not just take the youngest and do something different with the 2 that don’t believe?

You could still make it magical for the little one. Maybe make a scrap book of cuttings of pictures and say Santa has asked
If they could meet them next year.
It would build up the trip and give you all something to look forward.

Look forward to

What about Center Parcs Winter Wonderland Breaks? We go every year and they make it really nice. It'd be good for your little one (lots of Xmas stuff and the Santa is great, plus elf school is fab) but your older ones would have stuff to do. It's all done so nicely that you can't help but get caught up in magic of Christmas there. I know it's not Lapland but a possible option / compromise which would appeal to all ages?

It's and tarts I havnt equated making memories with spending loads as I don't actually choose how much Lapland costs however there is no doubt taking them there would create amazing memories for them.

Centre parks is a good idea and we havnt ever been!

Have you looked at Lapland UK for your youngest DC?

Centreparcs is a really good shout actually! We got home last night and they were setting up their Christmas displays this week with loads of snow everywhere, it was brilliant. I'd love to go at Christmas!

Winter Efteling in the Netherlands is lovely too and has activities for all ages

Clearly not in the same league but have you considered Lapland UK - we have been a few times and it really is impressive and for younger children a really magical experience. Last time went a few years back it was about £120 each and its roughly 4 hours long! The Father Christmas is amazing and we have some really magical memories from our times there!

I might go one year with DH, we are both in our forties and so obviously are not interested in seeing Father Christmas but we would like to go for the other activities and for the experience. But no way would I spend £2k on a day trip! We would go for a few nights.

Hadn't even considered Lapland uk had heard some horror stories but I'll look into it now!! Thanks :)

My cousin went for the day, the activities you do on the day trip are the same as when you stay over, just with less free time in between. I d only go for the day regardless of finances, it's bloody freezing!!!! I think it will be magical even for the older ones, how can they not believe when you are taking them to see the REAL Santa!!!!!!!

oh and don't bother with Lapland uk the reviews are shocking and you pay a fortune for something which Chessington, Legoland etc do better for less than half the price!!!

memories are so precious You're right, they are. But they don't have to be expensive to be memorable. It may well be best to let memories just come, rather than force them. DH is bewildered that one of DS's memories (written about in school essays, still talked about 20 years later) is many days fishing with DH in a sea loch - the actuality - twice DH rowed the boat out, got out the fishing rods, they fished for about 5 mins, then DS got bored, and they rowed back to the shore.

Winter wonderland. I went a few years back and although expensive it cost all in (including food) just over £250 for 1 adult 3 children, and we did everything there.

I've done it. Kids slept on the plane going and coming back

It was worth every penny