An enchanted journey: experiencing the wonders of Father Christmas in Lapland

In the wake of the first lockdown, we we were longing for a getaway—a chance to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey while our children were still young to fully experience it. At the time, they were just 5, 8, and 11 years old. As we anxiously monitored the news, uncertainty loomed over our plans, with the possibility of travel hanging in the balance until the very last minute. We held our breath, awaiting the results of our COVID tests that were required for entry, not knowing until just 24 hours before departure whether our trip would go ahead. The moment we arrived at the airport, a wave of relief washed over us. Our arrival in Lapland was nothing short of enchanting, with a cheerful and friendly greeting from elves at the airport gate. We had specifically planned this trip to celebrate Christmas in a truly magical setting. After a flight to Ivalo, we boarded a transfer to Saariselkä, and the journey itself was breathtaking, with fir trees blanketed in a thick layer of snow. We were fortunate to stay at the Riekonlinna Hotel, where our family of five occupied interconnecting rooms that offered stunning views of the snowy forest from our balcony. The joy on our children's faces was priceless; it was their first encounter with such an abundance of snow. Once we donned our snowsuits, boots, and gloves, we eagerly set off to explore the area. Just a five-minute walk away, our children delighted in sledging at the base of a ski resort slope—a veritable paradise for them! The temperatures during our visit ranged from -10 to -15 degrees Celsius, which, with the proper gear, was very manageable. A valuable tip for those planning a similar trip: hand warmers and foot warmers were advantageous, especially for our day spent with Santa, where we found ourselves outdoors for most of the day. I won’t spoil the Santa experience by revealing too much, but I can assure you that it was truly special. For my children, the highlights of the trip—aside from the magical encounter with Santa—were the exhilarating sledging sessions (often in the dark) and the unforgettable husky ride, which included a chance to meet the adorable huskies. Another helpful suggestion: bring bright hats and head torches, as daylight is scarce during this time of year. During the Christmas season in Lapland, daylight is limited to approximately four hours each day. However, this period also coincides with the optimal conditions for witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights. I was fortunate enough to experience this natural wonder in the middle of the night, utilizing the Aurora app, which alerts users when the lights are likely to appear—an experience that unfolded while the rest of my family peacefully slept. Unbeknownst to us at the time, just a month later, we would face the onset of a second lockdown.