CHRISTMAS ADVENTURES IN LAPLAND // TRAVEL

There is so much excitement happening this week, apart from the obvious four year old meets Christmas, we are so lucky to be heading to Lapland for the most magical 24 hours. A little while back I wrote a post to win a trip to the Arctic Circle with Transun and meet the man in red and to our absolute delight we won!

When I told F that we were going to meet Santa Claus his reaction was priceless and to be honest I can't wait either. Even as a grown up I still believe in the magic of Christmas and I'm a big kid at heart, so the idea of being pulled on a sledge by Huskies, taking a snowmobile over a frozen lake, building a snowman with F and taking a reindeer pulled sleigh through the frozen forest to meet Santa Claus makes me want to squeal out loud with delight.

Image via Unsplash

Tomorrow we're waking super early and flying to the northern expanses of Finland, it's going to be crazy cold at around -16C, so I'm really pleased to be taking our new winter wardrobe from the trusted Swedish brand Didriksons. When travelling somewhere with such a cold climate it's important to ensure all parts are covered and protected from the elements. So F will be wrapped from head to foot with a wool balaclava, mid-weight fleece jumper, ski socks thermals, snow mittens  and his Malö Kid's Jacket, snow suit and boots, to ensure he'll have fun in the snow.

Paul and F are going to be rocking the same colour coat which is super cute, and I love the look of this waterproof and windproof Emanuel Men's Parka for Paul. My mum who is joining us will be cosy and warm in her Angelina women's Parka which means we can have loads of fun building snowmen.

As F has already posted his letter to Father Christmas I know what he's wished for, but what I'm wishing for is a glimpse of the Northern Lights. I wonder whether Santa will make my wish come true?

*All of our winter wardrobe is c/o Didriksons. All opinions are 100% my own. 

A CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

I know it may seem a little early to talk about the joys of Christmas – indulge me a little here – but last night as we sat down with our diaries and worked out what the next nine weeks would look like, it's pretty clear that Christmas will soon be on our doorstep.

As these darker nights draw in and a cool chill hits the air, I can't help but let my mind wander to the twinkly season ahead. F has already started asking when it will be time for us to get a tree as the shops start to stock advents and snow filled trinkets in the countdown to Christmas.

As a child the excitement was almost too much to bear, with everything geared around a visit from the big man himself. I remember all the years spent at my Nanna's house, where the neighbourhood children would run out of their doors at the first sign of snow. Even if it was past our bedtime we would emerge wrapped up, smuggling our PJ's out in the cold air for a quick snowball fight before our parents would call time and we were wrestled back inside to sleep.

Even thought we don't have much snow these days, I am still the same now as I was then. As the first flakes fall I am always ready and raring to go, no matter what time the clock says, I'm ready to leave the first impressions in a blanket of white.

And don't get me started on the tree! The annual hike to find the perfect Norwegian pine to sit with through the cold winter days, keep us full of cheer with its winking lights and nostalgic decorations, each holding a memory of its own.


There are so many elements that makes Christmas special for most people: the tree, the food, the presents, family and friends, but for me it's Christmas Eve that holds my heart, not the presents or indulgence of the day itself, but the magic that all children know and most adults forget. It's the belief that something wonderful is about to happen, that people hearts are warmed and a smile touches most faces, friendly hellos in the street and the togetherness the season brings.

I read this book to F every year, and every year I cry when I read it, nothing captures the spirit of Christmas so beautifully and if you ask me I'll tell you, I believe in the spirit of Christmas and the old man himself, and like an old fable carried down through the years, I will pass this on to F and hope he carries the magic in his heart.

In the hopes to make Christmas truly magical for F and give him wonderful memories to look back on, this is my entry for a chance to win a trip to Lapland with Transun for our little family.