Lapland advice please

[Feellikerubbish]

I have 2 children 9 and 4. Have been looking at lapland breaks during Christmas period (left it late!).

Most of the big companies are fully booked.

Has anyone been to lapland and booked hotel/flights and activities separately? Or can someone recommend a company they have used?

We were thinking of saariselka or any place less commercialised. Activities we are interested in are husky rides/reindeer rides/ reindeer farm, Northern lights, searching for and meeting santa, tobogganing. Any advice/info will be much appreciated! Thank you

I have to Saariselka and it was magical. We flew out with Finn Air (had to transfer in Helsinki) and rented a lovely apartment with sauna. There are loads of companies offering excursions and we had exactly the itinery we wanted. One week for 3 of us over Christmas came to about £1000 for flights and accomadation.
Excursion wise we just gate-crashed Ingham's welcome meeting and booked through them which worked well for us. My then 6 year old made friends in the group and the length of excursions were just right for her at that age. If you look at their website you used to be able to get an idea of cost before hand. There are lots of companies in the resort thiugh and their details are online.
We bought all our base layers and ski stuff with us but you can hire outer wear in resort. All the activities you are looking for are on offer but Saariselka is very restful to trudge around in the snow. You can also book a gala meal on x-mas eve with the real santa in the hotels. I would really recommend it over a package deal.