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

[growlum]

Sister is in Lapland with niece and nephew.
They are 6 and 7.
I think there is a strong possibility they will come home no longer believing in Father Christmas, because the magic will have gone.
As a child, if somebody told me I was going to Lapland to see father Christmas, I would most definitely have been looking forward to seeing flying reindeer, tiny little elves and an incredible magic workshop like in all the Christmas movies.

There is no way my expectations would be met, and once I had visited lapland to find a distinct lack of observable magic, and rather a lot of gift shops, I think that would be the end of it for me.

AIBU to feel worried and a bit sad that this may be the end of my niece and nephew’s belief in Santa?

Lapland is so magical though! We went last year with my ten year old who was just on the cusp of non believing. We 100% got another year of believing out of the trip. I can't explain it but it is amazing over there.

That wasn't out experience. Landing in a snowy wonderland with reindeer and the theatre of it all absolutely reinforced santa rather than raised questions for mine.

Have you actually seen Lapland?
You make it sound like a dodgy Winter Wonderland in a city centre full of cheap tat at extortionate prices
Rather than the magical winter wonderland of people living the Christmas magic

Do people actually go to Lapland to further the whole santa thing? I always thought it was just a nice holiday.

Can I ask, was he not more upset once he did found out? After seeing something so, so convincing?

Taking mine to Morocco to show them that Christmas is only something that some people do in some countries.

You’re overthinking this whole belief in something that’s totally made up.

Kids learn the truth, and if it’s never been over-egged to them they’ll adapt fine.

I always assumed a trip to Lapland would be magical for the whole snow everywhere experience.

I always assumed a trip to Lapland would be magical for the whole snow everywhere experience.

Seeing the aurora borealis has got to be pretty magical too.

I am fully not a cold weather person and was dreading the trip to lapland with then dp and ds a few years ago. We went Finnish lapland.

I can hand on heart say that it was one of the most spectacular places I have ever been. It really IS magical. It's so uncannily beautiful, the reindeer rides are just a cute bonus honestly.

I took my 2 DDs to Lapland when they were of the believing age. It’s was beyond magical! The package we booked included visiting a reindeer farm, going to meet the huskies - being driven through snowy forests by both. So many elves! Mrs clause coming to our log cabin to read them a story. Skiing. Camp fires in the snow. Skadoos. Santa’s workshop. Finally finding Santa and him knowing all about them - pre-filled questionnaire and present they wanted wrapped by me. It’s was so beyond slick! And yep we saw the northern lights too. They wanted to go back and do it all again 😂 happy to tell them it’s a once in a lifetime kinda thing …

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..

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.

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

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

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

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

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’

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!

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.

Reindeer only fly on Christmas Eve, surely everyone knows that

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

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!

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

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

" mind blowing"