Aibu, cost of Lapland vs other holidays

[Youbloodywhaat]

I really want one Christmas in Lapland. Sleigh rides and magic and father Christmas, the whole shebang. I've tried to convince myself it's all OTT but all I keep hearing about is how incomparably magic it is.

5 bloody thousand pounds for our family of four. For THREE nights. I honestly just cannot wrap my mind around it. And yet seem unable up entirely walk away Its not throwaway dosh to us, we'd be saving hard all year. I've priced up every option and every provider and there's nominal difference.

I've tried looking at ski holidays and then book a excursions to all the festive bits nearby, which is considerably cheaper- but ski holidays are 7 days long and given we don't ski and have such small kids I just can't see it being enjoyable/how we would entertain them for an entire week.

Part of me also thinks that could be two.. maybe even three holidays elsewhere. We haven't travelled much and the kids are still at the difficult stage but we want to start- 5k would go along way. Suggestions on other choices most welcome too!

Or is it worth every penny and we should just bite the bullet?

Hubbie found the deal so not sure I'll ask
(Tomorrow when he's awake!)
Maybe cos we are in the north east and can fly from Manchester Glasgow any northern airport?

We went in 2012 for about £1600 for 4 of US, flights, hotel, Xmas meal with fireworks and reindeer, husky and reindeer rides, 3 nights with Thomson at Santa Sport. Was magical and other skiing doesn't compare for us at least. Best age is kids 5 to 10 though older is fine, younger would say too cold, several younger kids screaming but they are free at least. Is minus 20 outside.

£5k is a crazy price though. I was shocked before how much had risen though I did book last minute and pounced when price fell.

It is worth taking food with you, we had an 80kg allowance, food is very expensive and very average. We took squash and snacks, some people taken frozen meals.

I agree with taking ‘food’, sachets of hot choc, biscuits, dried fruit/nuts. It is very expensive for even a hot drink etc.