The pictures couldn't have looked more festive as Stacey Solomon and her hubby Joe Swash took their little ones on a magical trip to Lapland UK this weekend.
Stacey documented the entire outing on her Instagram Stories as she emotionally branded the outing "magical" and told fans she was off on a "Christmas adventure". She shared snaps of her three youngest children meeting Santa, with Belle looking excited as she celebrated her very first Christmas.
"The most magical day at the most magical place," Stacey gushed to her fans. "Do you know what. This is honestly the most magical place. They do it SO SO well. It's expensive but it's honestly worth every penny. it's like a day trip to the North Pole."
But if the pictures left you wanting more, then fear not. OK! is here with our comprehensive guide to Lapland UK, covering everything from how to book, to what it will cost, and how the day works.
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This magical Christmas experience is one of a kind. You don't have to fly to the North Pole for a visit to LaplandUK, it's here in Berkshire.
You can enjoy toy-making workshops, decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas, go ice-skating and more in a beautiful winter wonderland. If you visit towards the end of the day, the fairy lights make it even more magical. The fun starts before you even get there, as each child gets a special invitation from Santa in the post.
When you get to LaplandUK, friendly elves will show you and your little ones through a magical forest into the elf world.
The air smells like woodland and there are candles everywhere to light your way to the Lapland departures area. You can pick up a copy of The Lapland Times newspaper and have a hot chocolate while you wait for your departure time. Try to get there 30 minutes before your time slot so you're not in a rush.
At the check-in desk at Pathway Control, little ones will get their elf passports and collect their elf currency Lapland jingles. They'll be told to keep their passports safe as they'll be stamped throughout their journey in LaplandUK, which lasts about four hours.
Expect some fun with the animated woodland characters who sing to get you into the Christmas spirit while telling you all about the adventures to come.
Next, you'll walk along snowy pathways into a show where you'll hear the tale of Father Christmas and LaplandUK. Here, you'll join either Team Husky or Team Reindeer before entering the snow-covered wonderland where Father Christmas lives.
Remember to dress warmly for your visit, as some of your journey will take you outdoors too. Wellies are a good idea, as the paths can be sodden and muddy.
The first stop is the toy workshop where elves Whittle, Conker and Wish will teach you how to bring toys to life. The silliest and clumsiest elf, Conker, will have you laughing as he tries to impress Father Christmas to earn his honorary elf bell. Don't forget to practise your elf wave and your "cheery hi" as everyone in this land will expect you to greet them this way.
The kids will be busy from the get-go, making a soft toy bunny as if they were in a real toy factory. They'll each make a wish and place a small red heart inside the bunny before giving it back to the elves. What the little ones don't know is that their parents will secretly receive the bunnies at the end of the day to surprise them on Christmas Day.
Next, they'll visit Mother Christmas' kitchen where they'll decorate a gingerbread man while listening to the story The Tale Of Wish. The kitchen is full of magic with self-stirring wooden spoons and jam recipes on the walls.
Halfway through the visit, you'll find yourself in a Narnia-like elven village. Here, there's a chance to meet huskies but remember to check the times as the dogs only visit at certain points in the day.
You can also ice-skate on the village pond surrounded by Christmas trees and fairy lights. There are clip-on skates for the little ones and penguin aids to prevent any wobbles. Don't forget to visit the sweet shop, toy shop and the store selling LaplandUK baubles.
Lastly, children can write letters to Father Christmas in Elva's Elven Post Office. They'll be given a special envelope and stamp to post them in the red letter box outside.
Before you head off to the magical village, make sure to write your letters so you can spend more time soaking up the festive atmosphere.
You won't go hungry at LaplandUK with food and drink stations dotted around. Pumpernickel's restaurant caters for all dietary needs and offers a variety of dishes.
While waiting to meet Santa, elves will entertain you with magic tricks. Remember to check your time slot on your passport and parents will also get a text reminder.
You'll pass by mystical elf houses and meet Rudolf in his shed. After seeing Father Christmas' sleigh, you'll end up at Compass' Lobby where an elf will ask parents about their children to make the meeting with Santa extra special.
The magical journey continues as you're welcomed into Father Christmas' cosy wooden cabin. The kids will be thrilled to see their names on his Good List, and they'll even receive a toy husky from his sack and their very own elf bell as a tribute to their toy-making skills.
To secure your spot for LaplandUK 2024, head over to the official website when tickets go on sale in March 2024.
You can also purchase Lapland jingles elf currency to use during your visit. Ticket prices for LaplandUK vary from £59 to £139, depending on the day and time of your visit, with a booking fee added at checkout.
To book, visit the LaplandUK website at portal.laplanduk.co.uk.
* This article was crafted with the help of an AI engine, which speeds up OK!'s editorial research and applies it to article templates created by journalists in our newsrooms. An OK! editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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