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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Lapland disappointment

197 replies

AbagailsFancy · 23/12/2019 08:44

I know this is a first world problem but am upset and need to get perspective so would appreciate some common sense.

Took the kids (8 and 6) to see the real Santa in the Santa Village in Lapland this week. Long trip and some hard saving to get there. Lovely day in the snow, saw reindeer etc but kids were both in tears after Santa visit - huge queues, he just nodded to them and asked they sit for a photo. We tried to talk a bit but frankly were caught on the hop as he said nothing!

I’m really gutted. Not only did it put a huge damper on the day, but both are very meh about Christmas now. Am just so disappointed that this is what they’ll remember for years and just can’t shake it off.

DH thinks I’m being ridiculous and overly obsessed with everything being magical. I know (somewhere deep deep down) that he’s right but can someone please just give my head a wobble? Thank you!

OP posts:
Danni12 · 23/12/2019 10:44

Knowing how expensive it is I would be ready disappointed.

Stickybeaksid · 23/12/2019 10:44

Hugging - huffing

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 23/12/2019 10:46

Still laughing at the real Santa comment in your op.

Commercialism be thy master!

Ariela · 23/12/2019 10:52

I'd write a nice Christmas card to your kids from Santa (in an old fashioned joined up writing that's a bit tricky to read just for authenticity) and let Santa apologise for being a bit grumpy the day they came to see him etc but it had been a long day in a long week and he was very tired etc. and how he hopes they had a great time in the snow and tobogganing, and that he hopes they like their presents etc
And pop in their stocking or by the fireplace on Christmas Day.

EvilPea · 23/12/2019 10:54

i love the idea of the apology for a bad day letter, try to go through the pictures and look at the good times not the bad in it. I’m so sorry you had a crap time op.

Op this bit won’t help you but may help others planning on going!!
We were lucky enough to do Lapland a few years ago, it was the best bloody holiday of my life.
But what I did notice was the difference in providers, (we were with a smaller operator) and it seemed to make a massive difference. The Father Christmas spent ages talking to the dc, they weren’t rushed, it was timed, Father Christmas had their letter we had sent before Christmas, the elves were hilarious. I will treasure it forever. It was truly beautiful. But picking the right organiser seems key.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 23/12/2019 11:00

I can't believe people pay thousands of pounds for a very short trip to see a complete charade! Why not use that same money to go somewhere for a longer time and see something real?

Natsku · 23/12/2019 11:02

That is a shame but I wouldn't worry about them having bad memories of this holiday - the fun stuff like the snow will stick in their minds more I'm sure, especially if you have photos printed that they can look at.

But I am surprised it was so bad, I've been there quite a few times and although he doesn't have a long talk he does usually have a bit of a chat, asking if the children have been good etc. (once we took my brother's fiancee and he asked her if she's been good and she got very embarrassed and giggly Grin )

You can always tell them that wasn't the real Father Christmas - the real one lives in Korvatunturi

Bickles · 23/12/2019 11:09

I’m sorry OP. It is a long way to go and a lot of money for a rubbish Santa experienceFlowers
For anyone reading and planning, I can recommend Canterbury travel- expensive but a brilliant Santa and the whole holiday was great.

Ellisandra · 23/12/2019 11:14

Are you sure you’re kids aren’t “meh” about Xmas because they’re over tired and just had an amazing trip, after which being back home is going to be “meh” anyway? They’ve had an over stimulated full on Xmas trip and now it’s just a random Monday that doesn’t even have a “name” (like Xmas Eve). It’s just a meh non-day.

It’s quite normal at that age NOT to be crazy excited about Xmas... it’s still a couple of days away.

I think you’re reading too much into it. Complain by all means. But I suspect their attitude is a combination of tired, too much build up, wasteland non day today, you being pissed off and their dad not being into “magic”.

Just have a chilled day, and let the excitement build naturally tomorrow. Remind them about the reindeer and make reindeer food tomorrow.

Mrsjayy · 23/12/2019 11:19

Don'tdo letters don't apologise I never say this but It is what it is your dc will say remember the "grumpy santa" and it will be a family memory for years to come.

Original poster
AbagailsFancy · 23/12/2019 11:27

Thanks all - @Stickybeaksid MiL comment is spot on I think, I’m at risk at becoming the person chasing perfection when it comes to the kids. So a life lesson from bad Santa.

Both are bouncing around the place this morning, delighted to be home and starting the Christmas family visits so it looks like I’m the only one dwelling on it.

OP posts:
NorthernLightss · 23/12/2019 11:28

As soon as I saw your thread title I guessed you'd gone to Rovaniemi. Lots of people have had similar experiences there. Did you go to the place that's a disused air raid shelter? I think it mainly appeals to people with tiny children who want to be inside and warm. Yanbu, many, many people have said the same about their trip there.

If anyone else is thinking of going to Lapland, there are lots of Facebook groups where people discuss the various resorts and their experiences. There are lots of companies and lots of resorts, and lots of choice.

draughtycatflap · 23/12/2019 11:30

Tell them Santa couldn’t speak to them much as he’d had a stroke and is waiting for an operation to clear mince pie sludge from his arteries.

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 23/12/2019 11:31

"Took the kids (8 and 6) to see the real Santa in the Santa Village in Lapland this week."

Reality check. There is no real Father Christmas. You paid a lot of money to visit fake Father Christmas in a very nice grotto which was situated in Lapland. The only extra that you got that you wouldn't get here is snow which is probably why people who ski (like us) don't do Lapland. I think you need to look at the whole trip as a lovely holiday rather than focusing on the FC meet which would have taken a tiny fraction of your time. There must have been lots of other things that you enjoyed. I'm sure your DCs loved the snow and they will be feeling very christmassy. For next year you could get a ski holiday for the same price and visit FC at a garden centre.

Mrsjayy · 23/12/2019 11:33

Tell them Santa couldn’t speak to them much as he’d had a stroke and is waiting for an operation to clear mince pie sludge from his arteries.

DARK Xmas Hmm

purpleme12 · 23/12/2019 11:33

While I agree that she needs to focus on the good things etc etc. I still think the Santa thing is unacceptable and deserves a complaint. Even if it's only a part of the experience it's still an important part.
Whether we know he's fake or not!

HelloDoris · 23/12/2019 11:35

We did a daytrip to Lapland this year, total surprise for the kids. We had a snowmobile ride over a frozen lake and through the forest to meet Santa. It was amazing, I loved every second, the bits my kids loved the most.. the garlic potatoes at lunch and the tobogganing down a hill. Santa was like a bonus but not the main event for them, we get so wrapped up in creating the magic memories that we forget that sometimes just spending time together is the really important thing.. oh and garlic potatoes!

Mummyoflittledragon · 23/12/2019 11:37

I like the idea of a letter from Santa.

Roselilly36 · 23/12/2019 11:39

It’s understandable to feel disappointment, sadly these things are never as “magical” as the brochure makes out. Take the positives out of the day, kids seeing snow, reindeer etc.

soulrunner · 23/12/2019 11:52

If it makes you feel better we went to a super ‘crunchy’ Lapland place right up in the north. They took us to the reindeer castration museum, and for lunch we had reindeer stew with red berries in it and my daughter was in floods coz she thought it was Rudolf. In the afternoon they had a very authentic dog sledding experience where DH was in fear for his life as the dogs were going nuts and even with an 18 stone bloke as his partner the brake wasn’t doing anything. Did I mention I was on crutches, it was minus 25 and I couldn’t wear proper shoes? To be fair it was super atmospheric, the Santa and the snowmobiling/ tobogganing and amount of snow were amazing. When I got home and asked my son his highlight he said ‘watching American ninja in Finnish’ FML.

Natsku · 23/12/2019 11:56

A reindeer castration museum! What a delightful trip Grin were there pictures/videos of the traditional way of castrating them? i.e. biting the balls off

Mrsjayy · 23/12/2019 12:00

soulrunner are you sure that was an organised trip and you didn't just bump into some v v weird laplanders Xmas Shock

katy1213 · 23/12/2019 12:07

I'd be annoyed after spending so much. But I wouldn't have booked in the first place. I'd have been surprised if it turned out any other way. Over-hyped, commercialised, lots of queuing for a few minutes with Father Christmas - bound to end in tears!

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 23/12/2019 12:08

The REAL SANTA, really??

Toddlerteaplease · 23/12/2019 12:09

The best Santa is the one that visits my ward and children's hospital. He's brilliant. He works in Tesco and every year they pull him off his normal job and he's their Santa. He also brings elves and Mrs Claus. Though the poor man gets very hot in his beautiful Santa outfit. And his beard is the real thing.