“What can I give you this Christmas?” goes one of the most timeless songs you’ll be certainly hearing much this holiday season. Gift giving is never passé; it will never be. Exchanging gifts is a nostalgic way of reminiscing the Three Kings’ gesture of offering the best they can for the Infant Jesus in Bethlehem. Surprisingly, even non-Christians give gifts and enjoy the holidays during the season.
The Christmas Gift Every Child Would Love
While the world wants everyone to believe that “it’s the thought that counts,” gifting someone they love with something really especial is very much appreciated, especially by kids. If you like travelling, visiting Santa up there in the North Pole can be a great idea. No child can resist the fun of a magical Christmas with Santa and his reindeers in the snowy Lapland. Sophie Butler of Telegraph –Travel thinks so as she advises one parent who is looking for a traditional ambiance for his child in her holiday blog Visiting Father Christmas in Lapland. She writes:
“Finnish Lapland is a good place to visit for a magical, festive atmosphere but you are right to be wary of over-commercialisation. There are new programmes introduced every year but some of these can suffer from being impersonal, so you need to book well in advance for the best, small-group trips…”
She even offered a few tips to the parent so they can find a tour that offers private moments with Father Christmas and a traditional experience.
Enjoying the Lapland Experience with Santa
A holiday gift with Santa in it is expensive. It is one gift you can give so often, so it is something you would want to get right to become a precious experience for your child. Catching your child/ children at the right, receptive age is important and it’s expensive. With so many options and possibilities, it’s easy to blunder. Check some of the priceless tips that Fred Mawer of Mail Online shares with his readers in this post: The Crafty Traveller: The secrets of enjoying a Santa Claus encounter. He writes:
“It’s hard to imagine a bigger Christmas treat than going to meet Santa in his home in Lapland. I’m not thinking of a fly-by-night, fake Lapland in the New Forest or West Midlands, but the real Finnish Lapland, a frozen winter wonderland of deep snow and pine forests above the Arctic Circle.
Huskie rides can be an exhilarating experience, but might not be suitable for you children
I’ve gone on two pre-Christmas Lapland trips, and while one was magical, the other turned out to be a disaster:
The “Secrets” You Ought to Arm Yourself With
- Look for deals. Selling Lapland to holidaymakers is at its peak by December. This means great deals abound. Take your time and plan early, but “leave booking until the very last minute.” While tour operators can offer you a plate of options, do your own research
- Think twice about day trips. Day packages from another nearby Christmas destination can be a pretty attractive alternative, if you are looking to cut costs on “the momentous meet” with Santa. Staying just for the day can minimize the cost. Just remember, if something goes wrong, you may lose the opportunity to meet Father Christmas. If the meeting is what you’re going there for, make sure your child gets that rare moment.
- Take a short break instead. This is the suggestion of Mawer. Spending a few days in the area and enjoying what it has to offer can give “more meaning” to your expense. Memorable experiences such as “… snowmobile and husky-dog rides, the tobogganing in the deep, pristine snow …” Spend a couple of nights more to see the Northern Lights, another unique experience in the North Pole.
- Base yourself in a less commercialised resort. While there is no question about the appeal of Rovaniemi where the Santa Claus Village is located, experiencing the Arctic wilderness in some remote areas of Lapland can be an unforgettable experience too.
While gifting your child with a meet-up with Santa is extremely exciting and fanciful, don’t forget that adults may find that kind of treat magical too. On a guided snowmobile or dogsledding tour, the Northern Lights and other experiences can be a gift worth keeping in anyone’s trove of treasures and memories.
