Lapland - Help - Advice Needed!

[jammie]

We are thinking of going to Lapland with our 2 sons, DS1 aged 7 and DS2 aged nearly 2, on a 3 or 4 night Santa holiday. We realise that the youngest will not really get a lot out of the holiday, but leaving him behind is not an option. At the mo, our eldest son totally believes and I think it would be a lovely, magical time for him to go. However, obviously we are very concerned of the practicalities of taking DS2 so very young. If it was as good we have heard, we would return in a few years when DS2 was older, so he would not lose on this count. Obviously these holidays are quite expensive, so this is not an easy decision to make, however we have not got long to make our minds up now. Can anyone offer any advice, I would really appreciate it!

My friend took her two year old (only child) and they had a fabulous time. If you want to take yur older one then you do probably only have this Xmas as your window of opportunity. Anyway, your two year old will probably love it even if he doesn't remember it I say go for it!

The only advice I have is to take your thermals with you, my friend was not prepared and had to buy proper winter clothing when she was there.

Was talking to a friend who has been about this today. ds is 7 and dd is just 4. Apparently it is very very cold (which dd would hate) and she would probably be a bit freaked by the charcters (if her Disney experience last year is anything to go by). Her dd was almost 5 when they went. Hopefully ds wouldn't be too sophisticated not to believe in it next year but understand your dilemma.

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just be prepared for the cold, but a great experience.

We went last year on a day trip with the Children's Heart Federation - they take 16 children with differing heart problems every year. DD2 was just 5 then, but still talks about it now.

All I can say is that it was absolutely fantastic and totally magical. It was -21°C mind you, but I was prepared and had bought loads of thermal clothing as DD2 suffers from the cold because of her bad heart. There was a lot of walking involved (something which she can't do) and we were fine until an able bodied woman took our sledge from us, saying "tough my children are too small to walk" - the sledge had been provided because of DD2's probs but she wasn't interested. After that we were stuck in the hotel for the last 2 1/2 hours of the trip.

I would totally recommend it. The day trip was too short but we still got a 'feel' of the place. They only get a couple of hours daylight (grey light) over there at that time of year and whilst we were there it was pitch black - it''s a bit strange it being dark at 1 o'clock in the afternoon!

You will love it I'm sure. I just wish we could take DD3 and DS2 but feel they are too small at the moment.

Many thanks for all your replies - it sounds like it would be brilliant. Had nearly decided to wait until next year but am now having second thoughts and keep thinking should we just go for it (live for today!!) We did think of doing a different christmas break this year, but have already done disneyland paris at Christmas, and apart from center parcs, I cannot find any more themed holidays. Really thought that people would say you must be mad - but they didn't! Am now going to ring tour operator and have a word with them. I will let you know what they say!

Hi

We went for Christmas when DS was 4, IMHO he was a bit too young, not because of the cold or anything else but because he cant remember that much. It was quite honestly the best holiday we have ever had. We went for 5 days over the Christmas period. Everything was superbly organised from the luggage, to the decorated coaches, the staff on the plane, the trips and events, childrens story telling. Truly magical. DS is now 10 and does still remember somethings like ice fishing?? skiing, driving himself on a skidoo and of course meeting Santa on Chirstmas day.
We were instructed in advance to send his letter to santa (which we kept to give when we arrived) and to buy him a gift (no more than £15 for anyone) that he had put on his list. The look on his face I will never forget. If it wasnt so hideously expensive we definitley would all go again. On our trip there were teenagers, a young couple without kids, just a lot of very happy people looking for the magic and we got it in spades.
All you are thermals and lots of layers. Millets and shops like all sell suitable thermals. I even found a Damart seconds shop. Reputable companies provide in a very organised fashion all in one suits and thermal boots, like they use on oil rigs. Very cosy.
Do it, do it, do it you will never regret it.

we have been contemplating a trip to Lapland too - dd is 9 and still very much believes in the magic. I get the recommendations for the weather but I was wondering if anyone has suggestions of who to use for organising a trip here. Anything that worked really well for you? Something you wouldn't miss out on? Thanks in advance.....

Canterbury Travel were the people we used and I cant fault them at all they were wonderful. Really enjoy your trip. We would go again in a flash.

It is so magical, I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Ours were about 3, 4 and 6. Just make sure you have really good boots and clothes. In fact, we're hoping to go agaon when the baby is a bit bigger. Yes it's ridiculously expensive but such a fantastic experience.