FOR CHRISTMAS MAD FAMILIES

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THE WHITE STUFF

All set for a surfeit of Santa? Then to north Swedish Lapland we go for three full days of festive frolics. Snug in chunky boots and an Arctic onesie, you’ll snowmobile through forest, ride toboggans, meet reindeer Petter, Hilda and friends on a Sami reindeer farm (Rudolph sends his apologies but he is otherwise engaged) and make Christmas baubles and gingerbread with elves in a laavu tent. You’ll also take charge of a pack of madly excited huskies to sleigh to a cabin hidden deep in a snowy forest. Inside is Santa Claus, yours alone for 30 twinkly minutes, perhaps with a present in his sack. Four nights’ full-board costs from £1,455pp, including transfers and all activities with Discover the World

(01737 428 406; discover-the-world.com)

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LAND OF FAIRY TALES

For seasonal razzmatazz go to Disneyland Paris. For charm with little ones head to the Netherlands’ Efteling; it goes light on the commercial hard sell in a 180-acre, hi-tech fairy tale rooted in Hans Christian Andersen and Brothers Grimm folk tales. Animatronic trolls gurn in the Sprookjesbos (Fairy Tale Forest) and goblins dance in streets where waste bins belch when you chuck rubbish in. For its 25th Christmas, the ice rink has expanded to 1,000sqm, walk-in snow globes and a Christmas market have been installed, and concerts will be staged beneath a gazillion lights. Also consider this: a break costs about a third less than Disneyland and involves far shorter queues. Happy parents, happy tots, happy holidays.

Two nights’ B&B for four, including flights, park entry and Christmas dinner, costs from £1,583 (00 31 416 537 777; efteling.com)