17 of the best places to spend Christmas 2022 

9. Finnish Lapland

For the real deal and endless other wintry activities, such as snowmobiling, skiing and reindeer rides head north to the smaller resorts of Levi, Yllas, or Saariselka. Levi is just 20 minutes from the airport, making transfers with weary tots super speedy. Here, Santa’s village is way out in the wilderness: a huddle of twinkly log cabins hidden among snow-laden pines. Kids can decorate gingerbread cookies with Mother Claus, make decorations, and visit Elf school to learn Finnish words such as “Hyvaa Joulua” (Happy Christmas), as well as have a private tête-à-tête with Santa himself. The focus is firmly on wholesome festive fun and, refreshingly, souvenir stops are sparse.

But don’t go too early — Lapland without the white stuff is a snow joke. Head from the second or third weekend in December for a guaranteed snowscape. Ample time is crucial: do not book one of those 24-hour round-trips, your child will be so tired and cranky you’ll wonder why you bothered. Four nights is better, and even then you’ll wish you had more. Darkness reigns: daylight falls between 10 am and 2 pm when an eerie green and pink glow illuminates the sky.