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?

Last year my 7yo REALLY wanted answers about how the Elf moves. We told her it was us and she carried on the same that year. This year, she 'believes' again and is asking questions again (although less insistently!) She wants to believe, as it's all magical and fun. She also loves unicorns, has imaginary friends, pretends teddies are alive. The real/not real distinction is less.

Separate to that she is pretty logical and scientific. It's fascinating. She knows deep down these things aren't possible but the world is more fun when we have some belief that they are.

This was the post I planned to quote! But lovely to read about the magic in Auntie's post.

Absolutely magical for the adults and children. No shops where we were. The elves were just the best, the magic of visiting Santa - won't spoil it but yep - the best! Hope to go back as a family and our youngsters are all much older. This time will go for (hopefully) the amazing snow, snow mobiles and perhaps try skiing. Their best holiday EVER! Only advice - go for 4 days of you can, not just the day.

Who ordered the Grinch!

YABU. Lapland is incredible. Your niece and nephew are very lucky.

That's interesting. I always thought the same - takes the mystery away. However, a few people I know have done it and said it was really magical etc so I assumed it was really well done. But then I heard Josh Widdecombe talk about it on parenting hell podcast recently and he really didn't sound like he rated it from a. 'Santa,' point of view, only for the fun of the snow. And at one point did mention a place with loads of 'see Santa here ' signs which sounded very tacky and non magical. ... So now I'm not sure how I'm picturing it...but we can't afford anyway.

You sound jealous that your sister is able to give your niece and nephew this magical experience OP.
Masking it as concerns, isn't cutting it.

Do you have children who are not going to have this experience?

I don’t think you need to worry about them OP. I’ve never been (I’d love to!) but everyone I know who has says it’s completely magical.

Properly read this in a Richard Attenborough/Miracle on 34th Street voice!

Everything I've heard about Lapland is that it's amazing, magical, and not a tourist trap at all. DS is still young enough to believe blindly, but I've been saving since he was 2 for a Lapland trip when he's wavering.

I feel a bit weird about the whole Lapland thing to be honest. It feels like one thing to tell your kids that Santa exists, but a whole other level of extending the lie to actually take them to Lapland, pretend that Santa lives there and it's really magical etc. It all seems so elaborate.

On the other hand I know people who've been and I only ever hear good things, it sounds like an amazing holiday. I haven't heard of any kids stop believing as a result.

My son was 5 when we went last year
yes you’re right it was magical
no you’re wrong it didn’t ruin the magic not seeing the reindeer’s fly

I find it more fascinating that they can see Santa every year or sometimes more than once a year and never wonder how a. He looks and sounds different each time and b. Doesn’t remember them when he sees them at school despite seeing them at the local garden centre 2 days before etc

That's exactly what my 8 year old says. "I know they aren't the real one because we saw the real one in lapland"
Yabu it's a magical place that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't been

I don't feel sad if a six or seven year old does not believe in Father Christmas any more. I'd hope they would not spoil it for younger siblings.

Lapland visits seem expensive trips, though better than some of the things that have crept in for some in recent years. Christmas Eve boxes, elf on the shelf for example.

Are posters confusing a holiday to Lapland in the Nordics with the Lapland UK experience? I assumed OP is talking about the Lapland UK thing with fake snow. Obviously Lapland in nordics with actual snow and reindeer etc would be magical!

This was exactly the vibe I got from this post. Faux concern. FWIW I'd love to take DD and will save towards it: I'm envious of others going but not jealous.

I assume Lapland - Finland

Why are you worried about it? They are at the age when most kids have worked out the truth of the Santa myth. It doesn't stop them enjoying Christmas.

So many Mumsnet posts reinforce my belief that Father Christmas, sleighs and elves stories mean more to the adults than the kids.

I went to Lapland 14 years ago for the day trip.

It really is magical.

Don't think it really matters about kids believing or not. You get to go on. Reindeer driven sleighs and stand either side of the artic circle.

I spent around 3k for 3 people last year we did reindeers huskies and visit to the Santa factory. Expensive for 4 days. But then elves , Xmas eve boxes are not part of my tradition so I don’t do them. Not saying it’s the same price but if I’ve to choose something magical I prefer Lapland

It’s the most magical place on earth op, they are very unlikely to care about flying elves!

YABU it is the most magical place on earth!

What a miserable thing to do! Lapland is utterly mesmerising in a way Morocco will never be! Morocco isn’t a great place for children. It is chaotic and dirty.
Why on earth would you need to take them all the way there to teach them there are other religions?! I assume you have explained that already as a parent, and also the school often cover different religious festivals 🤷‍♀️

I think back when toys were wooden, it was so believable to have an army of Elves chiselling away.
In reality, it was skilled artisans- the 1800's was probably the best era for toys- {for the wealthy at least!}

What a weird response... Nothing wrong with exposing children to a different culture

We took our children to Lapland when they were 5 and 8 and it was incredibly magical.

They still believed in the concept of Santa, if not more so, but they also know that the ‘Santas’ you can visit in England aren’t the real one which is great because now they no longer ask to go and see him!