I live in (Santa's) Lapland AMA

[TheRealElf555]

Inspired by another Lapland thread, so as the title says, ask me anything. And yes, i'm obviously a real elf 😉

What are the job opportunities like outside of hospitality?

Is the Big Guy a good boss? Do you get a bonus? Who cooks Christmas Dinner? Do you all go on holiday after Christmas and if yes where?

How many toys do you have to make and do you get enough rest?

Is Santa looking after your mental elf?

Is it cold?

Do you like your uniform?

I live in Rovaniemi (main city) and there are lots of public sector and professional jobs as well as in retail, education etc.. although most jobs (not all) require native finnish which can be tricky

We get paid in gingerbread and porridge 😅

Our mental elf services are magic ✨️

Oat of rice?

Yes. At -30C it starts to get a bit much. But the colder it gets, more beautiful outside

What sex are elves? Are there lady elves and men elves? And if so do any of the men elves think they are lady elves and vice versa?

@Lunde Rice. Obviously.

What actually happens in Lapland?

It snows, people walk around, they ski, eat dinner, go to bed, wrap presents, cycle in the snow, watch Netflix and some post on Mumsnet 😏

As a response to @SatansBobblehedetc

Is the pickpocketing of tourists problem as bad as the news is saying?

I actually don't work in tourism so I don't know, but I doubt it's that bad. People up here are used to a very high level of safety, so any change comes as a shock.

Rovaniemi is lovely! We were there in January 2020 (we left the day your first covid case was announced) and adored it. I'd really like to live there.

What can you see out of your window

@Isthisjustnormal My back garden with snow covered trees and bushes and all of my my neighbours' christmas lights (there are many)

Ootko suomalainen vai muutitko sinne aikuisena?

It feels like the profile of Finnish Lapland has increased hugely in recent years, the tourist board has done a good job - you'd normally expect Sweden to have this kind of thing on lock. Are the locals getting pissed off with the increased numbers?

Is it really true about no bad weather only bad clothing?

We're visiting Saarisleka next December and I'm wondering if I can buy my way out of being freezing cold with freezing cold children with enough merino wool or we just have to resign ourselves to it.

Yes, it's true. Obviously when it drops down to -30 and below your face freezes🥶 You need good layers. Merino wool and jumpers. No cotton.

How did/do you feel about the swing from Sanna Marin to Petteri Orpo?

Did you think Marin was a good PM or did her 'dancing' distract from the politics (rightly or wrongly)?

Is climate change causing chaos to your winters? Perhaps less so because you are based in a town? The people I've spoken to who live more remote say it's a big issue.

Do you worry about the impact of the booming increase in tourism?

Do you think enough is being done to protect and preserve the indigenous Sami way of life? Are you Sami descent?

Do you worry about the border with Russia?

Is it true there are career opportunities for English-speaking but non-Finnish-speaking people? I see a lot of sponsored ads online that suggest big businesses want to recruit from overseas, and despite knowing very little Finnish, I am very tempted.

Do you ever joke that you are eating Moomin steak when you are eating mozzarella?

Sorry for totally skipping the Santa/Elf theme 😂 I have spent a fair amount of time travelling in northern Finland and am very drawn back.

Thank you. I keep reading conflicting things about how many layers we actually need.

So far, my 4yo (will be nearly 6 when we go) will be wearing:
2 x 70% merino 30% polyester base layers (one is slightly larger to be layered)
Fleece lined leggings
Baggy jogging bottoms
Teddy fleece jacket
Normal baggy fleece jacket
Merino wool socks
Ski balaclava
Snood
Fleece lined woolly hat
Glove liners

• the kit provided by the tour operator, which is a snowsuit, socks, boots, and gloves.

The rest of us will be wearing:
1 100% merino base layer
Fleece lined leggings
Baggy jogging bottoms
2 x fleece jackets
Merino wool socks
Ski balaclava
Snood
Fleece lined woolly hat
Glove liners

• provided kit

Do you think this sounds like enough? We can tough it out if needs be but I'm most worried about the little one.