After this week’s tips for saving and sharing family photos, it’s high time for a jolly competition – after all, giving away presents is my favourite pastime!

Share your most memorable Christmas photo for a chance to win a Rise of the Guardians DVD starring me, my elves, my friend the Easter Bunny, and a few others you might recognise – it’s certainly not my first starring role, but it’s a charming family film.

Just email your most memorable Christmas photo – whether it’s funny, cute, decades old, unusual or tugs at the heartstrings – to competitions@santaslapland.com with your name and postcode, and a winner will be chosen at random. The competition runs for two weeks, so get your entries in before the stroke of midnight on Friday the 31^stof May.*

I’ll have my elves upload the entries to a special album on Facebook, so have a look for your submission! Hopefully this will inspire you to dust off photos from Christmases past, gather your family together to select an entry, and relive those special experiences once again.

If you need any inspiration, the photo above of my silly elves with little Lizzie (sent in by her mum Katharine) should do the trick! Ho-ho-ho! You can also see that lots of people have shared their lovely family photos taken at Santa’s Lapland, which might give you ideas as well.

Good luck, and to all a good night!

*Now for the boring fine print from my legal elf: Please note that you must be a UK resident over 18 to enter. One entry per person. The winner will be notified by email and has 7 days to respond; otherwise, another winner will be selected at random. By entering, the entrant agrees that their name and submitted photograph may be shared online.The prize is not transferable to another person, and no part of a prize is exchangeable for cash or any other prize. DVD image from DreamWorks.

Competition shared on ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions, OfferOasis.co.uk – Competitions and Freebies in the UK and Free to enter competitions and giveaways in the UK – win great prizes and freebies.

Little ones grow so quickly, meaning it’s extra important to capture magical moments like holidays, family gatherings and Christmas!

Every year people ask me for a camera or smartphone under the tree, but then they become too busy to edit or share their precious family photos. To be fair, even I am guilty of that sometimes, especially when there are toys to build, huskies to play with, and reindeer sleighs to ride. After all, I’m not only busy during the festive season!

To help inspire you, I’ve gathered some tips from my expert elves on how to best preserve your family photos:

Beautiful Photo Books

It’s tempting to upload your pictures to Facebook and call it a day, but I’d bet my beard that Facebook won’t be around forever. You also don’t want loved ones who aren’t on Facebook to miss out on the special family photos.

While traditional scrapbooking is time-intensive, online services allow you to easily upload photos, add captions, and print out glossy and high-quality photo books. This way, you can show them to family over a cup of tea, or give them a copy as a special gift. My elves make thousands of photo books and calendars as pressies every Christmas, and they recommend Blurb, Photobox and iPhoto (to name a few).

If you documented your family Christmas break with a mobile phone instead of a camera, don’t despair – you can order special Instagram photo books and prints from Printstagram (you can see one in the photo above), and Blurb creates photo books, calendars and more from Instagram and Facebook photos. As we discussed earlier, the Postagram mobile app even sends real-life postcards from smartphone photos.

Easy Photo Editing

It can be tricky to capture a perfect photo in the Lapland dusk, flying through the twilight in a fast-moving sleigh or surrounded by reflective snow. Thankfully, Picasa is a free photo-editing program from Google that allows you to fix exposure, eliminate red-eye, and straighten photos with ease.

What makes Picasa great for busy parents is the “I’m feeling lucky” button, which is an all-in-one fixer-upper. Don’t abandon your underexposed photos or struggle with Photoshop for days – just whiz through your albums with this button, and you’ll look like a pro photographer in no time. Next year’s Christmas card photo of me, the elves and Mrs Claus is looking better already!

If you are a more advanced photographer, Picasa still has the tools for you, from detailed colour correction to fill light and filters.

If your loved ones struggle with computers, why don’t you offer to fix up their photos for them?

How do you preserve your family holiday memories? Do you prefer to put your photos on Facebook, or do you share them another way too?

Images: Mr. Claus reads a family’s letter to Santa, from Santa’s Lapland, and a mini photo book from Printstagram

Today I’ve asked them to share some cool apps for family holidays – whether sending Gran a personal postcard from Lapland, learning about the Arctic Circle or downloading a book to read in your cosy cabin after the children have gone to bed.

Downloadable smartphone apps allow you to discover the world, share photos, navigate, and keep children entertained, meaning a modern family holiday is a high-tech affair (as anybody with an Angry Birds-obsessed child – or spouse – can attest). No more paper maps with highlighters for the youngest generation, although Mrs Claus still prefers it that way.

I asked my elves to review their favourite travel apps, and here are their suggestions:

Laplication

Available for iPhone and iPad (Free)

We may be biased, but of course we had to include this travel-themed app about Lapland! Laplication beams the Northern Lights and midnight sun straight to you, wherever you are.

Capture the Christmas magic by pointing your mobile device at the sky and hitting go – although there’s no substitute for the real thing! The app also offers fun Lapland-themed photo filters to add a bit of (fake) snow to your springtime, and works offline so you can use it on the go.

Postagram

Available for Android, iPhone, iPad and web (Free)

Instagram and Facebook are perfect for sharing impromptu photos of the little ones cuddling a reindeer, but less tech-savvy family and friends will be left out of the loop. Involve Gran in your magical Lapland holiday with Postagram, which allows you to send your photos as physical, real-world postcards. As a bonus, the photo pops out so the recipient can put it on their mantelpiece or fridge with the Christmas cards. The app is free, but postcards are $1.99 each to send in Europe and $1 in the US.

Elves love to be inclusive, so we appreciate that you can send a Postagram straight from the website – even if you don’t have a smartphone.

Pocket Earth

Available for iPhone and iPad (£1.99)

Holidays are an unmissable opportunity for children to learn about the world, and mobile maps and Wikipedia are a great way to swot up on the go. In the wild woods of Lapland, however, away from the WiFi in our cabins and hotels, data connections are pricey and patchy. Thankfully Pocket Earth’s maps and articles are available offline, so you can teach the wee ones about our special home in Lapland and the Arctic Circle without racking up some pretty un-magical roaming charges.

My Playhome

Available for Android, iPhone and iPad (£2.49)

After an unforgettable day of ice hockey, tobogganing and playing with huskies, your kids might be pretty excited at bedtime – especially if they are meeting Santa tomorrow! (Even we Elves get excited when Santa comes around.)

If you all need some shut-eye before the big day, this engrossing app for children will settle them down; the New York Times even named it one of the best apps to keep children happy.

The app’s highly interactive world is set inside a magnificent house, and appeals to boys and girls of all ages.

Kindle

Available for Android, iPhone and iPad (Free)

While the kiddies play with My Playhouse to calm down after a fantastic day, you might want to unwind as well. If Santa didn’t bring you a Kindle or Nook last Christmas, the Kindle mobile app gives you access to their massive e-bookstore and library, just as you would get with the e-reader.

Many of the classic books are free, so curl up in front of a roaring wood fire and read to your heart’s content without spending a penny.

What are your favourite apps to take on holiday with the family? Let me know on Facebook! 

As it’s nearly the May bank holiday, I know many of you will be enjoying the spare time with your families. While often reserved for Christmas and the school holidays, making crafts together can make the day fly by no matter the time of year!

It’s a teeny bit early for Christmas tree baubles and reindeer crafts – well, at my house it is always time for Christmas activities, but I know that other families want to celebrate spring and summer as well. Here are some lovely free spring crafts and printables to make with your family this weekend if you are staying at home.

Floral Crown

The gorgeous flower crown above comes from the beautiful party and lifestyle blog Oh Happy Day by Jordan Ferney. These lovely wreaths are a little more magical than your work-a-day daisy chain – perfect for a party, special picnic or family portrait. All you need is flowers and ribbon, although a bit of wire helps hold it together for longer. Your little ones can help if they want to gather flowers from the garden.

See the details here, at Oh Happy Day.

Paper Boats

These homemade paper boats are perfect for a day out at the park or a local pond. Ever-creative Martha Stewart has instructions on how to create this lovely, practical toy with common household materials.

See the details at Martha Stewart’s website.

Birdfeeders

As winter makes a last retreat and the birds and bees are back in town, these cute ladybird and bee birdfeeders are for parents and children to make together – while adults handle the scissors, children can paint and decorate the feeder. Although looking at it, I think it would be greatly improved with some reindeer antlers and a red nose…

You can find the instructions here.

Paper Crown

Play dress-up with this lovely butterfly crown – whether queen of the meadow or king of the garden, print and cut out these butterfly shapes for children to colour in. If butterflies aren’t to your taste, why not try sunflowers or big green leaves instead? It will also last a little longer than the floral crown above.

You can download the free printable template and instructions from First Palette.

I hope you and your special little helpers have a very jolly weekend! The elves have their fingers crossed that the sun will come out, although there is still a lot of snow in Lapland! If you make any crafts this weekend, why not share with the Santa’s Lapland community on Facebook or Pinterest?

Spending time with children opens your eyes to the power of new experiences – seeing a child’s wonder as they encounter something new is so powerful! It’s why so many families come from all over the world to meet me and tell me about their dreams and wishes – and it’s one of the reasons I love to meet them.

Wonder and curiosity isn’t limited to children – many people have a bucket list of amazing experiences they hope to have in their lifetimes.

Seeing the Northern Lights is a common ambition, right up there with skydiving, swimming with dolphins and going on safari. Not everything on a bucket list has to be big, however – many children tell me they’d love to have a husky like mine one day.

While I’ve been lucky to see the Northern Lights and travel the entire world each December, there are still plenty of things I want to try – like haggis!

Let me know on Facebook – what is on your bucket list? Even better, ask your children and let me know their sweet and funny answers. As I found out last year, kids say the craziest things!

Many children write to Santa with questions and Christmas wishes – today, he answers a common question.

Dear Santa,

Mummy says we are coming to see you this Christmas! Where is Lapland, and how will Mummy know where to find you?

Love, Emily (5 ¾ years old)

Hi Emily,

Of course Mummy knows where to find me – Mummies know everything.

I could talk all day about my beautiful home in Lapland, from the pristine fluffy snow to majestic wildlife, gorgeous lakes and native forests. Children often ask me what my homeland is like, so today I’d love to answer some questions about Lapland.

Where is Lapland located?

Lapland is in the Arctic Circle, near the North Pole, so we enjoy sparkling midnight sun during summertime and lovely long nights in winter. It isn’t exactly a country in its own right, but covers parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia – my home in magical Saariselkä is in Finnish Lapland, which is fitting as I love a good hot Finnish sauna. Finnish Lapland has beautiful lakes and marshes in the summertime where my elves go fishing – and they also go ice fishing in the winter with our visitors.

Lapland even has its own football team, the Sámi Spábbáčiekčanlihttu.

If Lapland isn’t a country, then what is it?

It is the traditional homeland of the indigenous Sami people, who call the area Sápmi. They have lived here with me since long before there were national borders.

Who are the Sami?

The Sami are the local people of Lapland (along with myself and the elves, of course). They are most famous for being nomadic reindeer herders, and many still herd reindeer today – although nowadays you are more likely to see them herding with a skidoo than on foot.

The skidoo, reindeer and huskies are still the best way to get around in Lapland, and our visitors love taking mini-skidoo rides, flying through the twilight on a reindeer sleigh, and making friends with the huskies who pull them through the snow.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Lapland?

Yes! While there are no guarantees that the aurora will put on a show, Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. I am extra excited this year, because NASA says that we will see the strongest Aurora Borealis in 11 years. This is one of the reasons I love the long winter nights here – the dreamlike ribbons of dancing green light make the hard work at Christmas worth it!

Check back in a few weeks to read more about the incredible aurora, but in the meantime, you can read more about my Northern Lights Adventure here.

Do you have a question for me about Lapland? Let me know in the comments or on Facebook!

Images from Tania Ho and Visit Finland.

The food here in Lapland is hearty and based on seasonal and foraged items like berries, wild game, reindeer and fish. We also make delicious sausages, flatbread and mince pies – although these are harder to come by.  Which is why they are a special treat for me on Christmas Eve, giving me all the energy I need for the long night ahead!

Now that spring is on the way, the ice is melting in Lapland and it is the season for fresh fish! One of my favourite recipes for a cold spring day is salmon soup. Not only is it a bit healthy (as we all know, the missus has me on a diet these days), but it is warming, quick and easy to make.

The Helsinki Times has an excellent recipe for salmon soup that I’d love to share with you.

Lapland Salmon Soup

Serves four

Ingredients

– Butter

– 2tbsp plain flour

– 600 ml fish stock

– 300-400g salmon

– 200 ml milk

– 200 ml double cream

– Fresh dill

– Fresh chives, to garnish

– Salt and pepper to flavour

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large stock pot over medium heat.

2. Add flour and stir. Once combined, add the prepared fish stock and stir. Simmer over low to medium heat for 10 minutes.

3. While the soup base simmers, prepare the salmon: remove skin and cut into 2cm cubes.

4. Add to soup and stir gently, so the salmon pieces do not flake. Cook for five minutes.

5. Add milk and cream and turn down the heat. Allow the soup to warm through, stirring, and remove from heat.

6. Season with dill, salt and black pepper and garnish with chopped chives.

I love this soup with a piece of tasty flatbread, warm from the oven. It is also a great recipe for feeding a crowd – it is always popular in my workshop after a long day’s work.

Image from toothycat.

Besides huskies and reindeer, there are plenty of furry creatures in Lapland that would make anybody saw “aww”. I had a look at Pinterest (yes, Santa is just as addicted as everyone else) and found some photos of my favourite Lapland wildlife. Enjoy!

Huskies

Of course, husky dogs are my favourite local animal! Children and adults love being pulled through the snow by a husky team almost as much as they love cuddling the sweet dogs and making friends.

Image sent to me by Tracey Woodfine – thanks, Tracey!

Reindeer

These gentle creatures are the lifeblood of the Sami people of Lapland, who sometimes migrate with their herds of reindeer. Just like Rudolf, reindeer in Lapland love a good scratch on the nose, and are a favourite with my visitors for their sense of humour.

Image via my Pinterest account. 

Eurasian Lynx

How cute are they? The Eurasian lynx lives not just in Lapland but also in Scandinavia, Russia, the Himalayas and parts of East Asia. Don’t bring your binoculars though – I don’t see them often at Santa’s Lapland. Why not visit them at the local zoo instead?

Image via Rosemary Crosier.

Eurasian Brown Bears

Brown bears live all over the world, from California to India and Finland, but you’re unlikely to spot any while visiting Santa’s Lapland – they tend to be afraid of humans and elves and maybe even me!

Image via Beth Logan.

Lapland Owls

The Lapland owl, or great grey owl, is the tallest owl in the world. If I were a mouse, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near this guy – but luckily for me, my big red suit puts them off.

If you love owls, don’t miss this super cute video of a lovely owl getting a head scratch.

Image via Positive Mia.

Saimaa Ringed Seals

This jolly fellow could give even me a run for my money on the happiness scale! The Saimaa ringed seal has distinctive markings on its fur but is very endangered, with less than 300 left in the wild. These freshwater seals live in eastern Finland in the Saimaa Lakes region.

Image via NOAA Office of Protected Resources.

What’s your favourite animal in Lapland? Have you been up close and personal with the huskies or reindeer?

Let us know in the comments or on Facebook. Also, don’t hesitate to tag us in any cute wildlife photos you find on Pinterest!

To celebrate the international success of this game franchise the Holiday Club hotel group of Finland have designed and built Angry Birds Activity parks across Finland. The Holiday Club in Saariselka has been chosen as one of the venues for an Angry Birds activity park which will feature a play area/obstacle course designed using popular Angry Birds characters. Access to the activity park is from the holiday club.

Tickets will cost €14 for adults and children and children under 3 years old enter for free. If you are interested in booking a ticket before arriving you can contact the holiday club team directly on reception.saariselka@holidayclub.fi

The holiday club in Saariselka is one of the most popular hotels in the Finish Lapland village of Saariselka and you can stay there throughout December 2013 with Santa’s Lapland with prices starting from £799 for adults and £99 for children. There are also lots of free child places available on select dates so check the website for more information or contact a member of the reservations team on 01483 791945

Cross Country Skiing

The total length of the ski tracks is 230km with 34km of those illuminated for night time sessions. They are open from October to May and offer you the opportunity to see different part of Saariselka than most visitors to this lovely land.

The 5km long track is made ready for skiers as soon as the weather is right and they make use of their excellent snow production system that was put in place in 2004.

For adults the cost is £29 and for children aged between 6 and 11 the price is £19. We recommend doing this on your day of arrival for 3 day Santa’s Magic and on your adventure day for 4 day Santa’s Spectacular breaks.

Downhill skiing

There are 11 slopes in Saariselka with a varying degree of difficulty from beginners slopes to advanced black slopes. For Snowboarders there is a halfpipe that has been created to practice your spins and grabs. This area is brilliant for beginners new to skiing who want to gain some confidence without being surrounded by lots of people or for those more experienced skiers wanting to get their snow legs back.

If it all gets a bit too tiring there is a restaurant at the top of the slopes where you can stop for a hot drink and something to eat.

Downhill skiing is only available on my Santa Spectacular 4 day breaks. A two hour session with lift pass and equipment costs adults £49, children 6-12 years old £39 and children under 6 £29. If you are new to skiing you can also book a 90 minutes lessons for 1 person (£43), 2 people (£29pp) and 3 people or more (£22pp)