Father Christmas in Lapland

[Faith]

Has anyone been to meet 'Father Christmas' in lapland? If so, can you recommend any good companies, offer advice, things to be aware of etc. And did your kids enjoy the experience?!

Faith, havent been, but looked into it, and from what they were saying is BOOK NOW, places go early on in the year.

Hi, yes we went last Christmas for 4 days. The hotel was Saariselka in Finnish Lapland, and it was an organised trip - I will try and dig out the name of the company. My thoughts are firstly that doing it in a day is far too short - the kids would just be exhausted all the time. If you book early you can find quite cheap deals. The boys (then 8 and 5) loved it - we did the Father Christmas outing and also a trip on snow-buggies (like jetskis but on snow, which was a real highlight). I wouldn't bother with a visit to a reindeer or husky farm, too much standing around for our liking. The best bits were just going out of the hotel for tobogganing (the hotels have their own toboggans or you can buy plastic ones for a fiver) and a quick ski lesson. The other thing I would say is try and find a hotel with a pool - the evenings can seem very long after dark ie after about 3.30pm, and it was great to be able to have a swim and sauna.

Found it. We went with 'emagine travel'. Website is www.emagine-travel.co.uk/lapland/lapland_northern_finland.html

Faith, try Canterbury Travel.

Am desperate to take our ds to see Father Christmas, but would rather leave it until he'll really enjoy it. What do you all reckon is the best age to go?

Zaria, how much was it for the 4 of you? R.

Fms, I wanted to take our son this year, he's nearly 6. I thought he can now cope with the journey and excitement (so hopefully avoid stress and tantrums!) and can take it all in and remember it quite well in years to come.

Also I think it could be the year before he susses all this FC thing out! Although the magic of Lapland could keep it going a bit longer I think.

I would have loved to have gone this year, but unfortunately finances now wont allow it. It is incredibly expensive for such a short trip.

Rhiannon, don't know the cost, my father paid for us to go. Fms, I think my youngest son -, who was 5 when we went, was just about old enough but I wouldn't have taken him any younger. Th 8 year ild doesn't really believe in Father Christmas, I don't think, but has never actually said so (maybe he thinks he won't get a stocking if he stops believing!) Either way, he completely suspended his disbelief and went along with it all. He especially loved the outdoor activities like tobogganing.

Ive only just joined mumsnet, but today i booked a trip to lapland for myselft and my daughter. My husband took my son for his 5th bitday a few years ago and so now its my turn!! He said that 5 is really the youngest to go because it can be very cold, and there are lots of great things to do. even if your kids don't believe they will after the trip as will some of the grown ups. im going with canterbury travel as they were fantastic when my husband went. I cant wait!!

I went to Lapland Christmas 1996 with my mum, aunt and daughter, who was 4 at the time, when I was 7 months pregnant with my son. Dear old Husband had to stay at home - couldn't get time off work! It was absolutely wonderful - totally magical. We went with Cosmos (I think - called "Santa Specials") and were there 4 days which was more than adequate. It was very cold - I have got photos of myself with my hair frozen - with ice particles on the end! Bought lots of thermal underwear - not very sexy but very practical. My daughter used to go out during the day (when it was -25 degrees) wearing thermal tights, normal tights, leggings, pyjama bottoms, trousers, snow suit over the top). When we did the trip to the Arctic Circle she cried she was so cold! I can't remember the hotel we stayed in but they had a Christmas Party on the last night where Father Christmas came and gave out presents. We looked a lovely sight - all dressed up in our finest with snow boots on the bottom for the short walk to the hotel reception. The hotel room we had was scandanavian style - all wooden, with an upstairs attic type room where me and my daughter slept. She thought it was great fun sleeping under the rafters, although I had trouble walking up the wooden steps being 7 months pregnant. Even though I DON'T BELIEVE IN FATHER CHRISTMAS (being 34!), being in Finland you actually do start to believe.

WE went with Canterbury Travel and they were FAB. It was a long weekend, Friday through Monday, and we felt really well looked after. I wouldn't take children too young - our 4 and a half year old found it too cold (mind you he is a big girl's blouse). The older boys, 7 and 8 suspended their disbelief and had a great time. it's Very Cold - 26 below when we went so be prepared!I definitely wouldn't take toddlers because they don't really understand what's going on and they don't like the cold and I think it's a waste of money. It cost us £4000 for 5 of us two years ago but I think it is value for money. (Actually I think I enjoyed it more than anyone.)The Father Christmas was just magic and the Northern Lights!!!

Faith, dont know if you've made any decisions yet, but I saw that Babygoes2.com are going to do a Lapland guide.

Hi
Thanks everyone for your advice. My parents have booked for us to go. I did suggest Canterbury Tales to them, since they seemed highly thought of, but I don't actually know yet who the operator is. I'm just determined that we will all have a wonderful time, and trying not to have too many preconceived ideas.( And jolly grateful, given the cost!) When did you all tell your children? I'm contemplating keeping the whole thing a secret, ie not telling them anything until a day or two before, and then just that we're all going out for the day - or will that deny them the pleasure of anticipating it?

Hi, we are really keen to take our 2 boys to lapland, they are 6 and 4 years old. we are thinking of trying to organise it all ourselves, e.g., flights, accomodation etc. how easy is it to organise things once you are there - the events, tours etc? can you rent equipment/snow suits locally? or would anyone recommend the all inclusive packages?

Klinto - its really easy to organise things when you get there, especially things like crosscountry ski-ing, sledging and skiddoo rides. There are loads of firms who offer them, mostly located within or right next to the hotels. However, I guess that some of them, like trips to Father Christmas get booked up, so you should call the hotel direct and ask to be put in touch with the tour operators.They all have equipment to hire (snowsuits and boots etc). The other thing I would say is that while the trip to see Santa is great, he does actually visit all the hotels on Christmas Eve. Our hotel (the Spa Hotel in Saariselka in Finland) had a thing where you could leave a present wrapped up with your childrens name on it, and Father Christmas would hand it out on Christmas Eve. The boys really loved that - and it came as a total surprise to them.

Faith - we hummed and haaed about telling the boys, and then decided that the anticipation was half the fun. We told them about two weeks before we went, which was about right, I think.

Have a fantastic time !!

thanks for the useful tips. Here's a few more questions: If we book to stay at the tropikki holiday club in saariselka will be disadvantaged versus staying in Rovaniemi? Can we still participate in the events, tours etc particularly the sleigh trip to visit Santa?? Does anyone know how far away Rovaniemi is from saariselka - is it easy to get around?? thanks