A TUI Lapland rep has lifted the lid on working in the most Christmassy place on Earth, where his “office” looks like a real-life snow globe.

Saul Vendrig Castillo is currently in Lapland working his second season for TUI helping to create unforgettable moments for British families who descend on the winter wonderland to meet Father Christmas each year.

“Every day I’m surrounded by snow, excitement and pure joy. Kids step off the plane with their mouths open in amazement and you can feel the Christmas magic in the air. It’s like working inside a real-life snow globe!” said Saul.

Saul says his days can range from greeting families at the airport and helping them get their snowsuits and boots, to organising snowy excursions such as husky sleigh rides, reindeer safaris or snowmobiling. But the real excitement builds when he helps the little ones get ready for their big moment with Santa.

“When families visit Santa, it’s really special. The children get to meet him in his cosy, twinkling cabin, tell him what they’ve been wishing for, and even receive a little gift to take home. The excitement in their eyes is priceless and it’s magical for the parents to see too”.

“Lapland is one of the only places on earth you can experience the magic of gliding through snowy forests, wrapped up warm, with a majestic reindeer leading the way. It’s peaceful, magical and gives you time to soak up the Lapland winter wonderland”.

Husky rides are another must-do.

“The children get to ride in sleds pulled by a team of energetic huskies. The sound of their paws on the snow and the speed of the sled make it an unforgettable adventure. Everyone leaves smiling and talking about it for days”.

“When a child sees their first reindeer or throws their first snowball, that’s the moment you realise how special this job is. Then you take them to meet the Big Man, and their faces light up in a way you never forget. Parents often tell me this is the Christmas they always dreamed of giving their kids, so it’s really special to be a part of that experience”.

Saul’s top tips for those vising Lapland include layering up, expect short days and be patient with the Northern Lights.

“Make sure you bring lots of loose layers to wear under your snow suit as they trap the heat, whereas tight clothes can make you colder fast. And once you feel the chill it’s hard to get rid of it, some days it can get to –32 degrees”.

“In December, we get just over two hours of daylight which means at 4pm it can feel like bedtime. Make sure you plan your activities with this in mind to really maximise those daylight hours”.

“For many people visiting Lapland their bucket list goal is to see the Northern Lights, and my one piece of advice is to always be patient with them. They can be unpredictable, but they really are a sight to behold when they appear in the evening”.

And for those who are feeling adventurous, Saul recommends sampling the local food.

“Reindeer pizza is amazing, and much better than I expected! I also can highly recommend a liquorice cake with blueberry ice cream that I ordered a few days in a row as it was so good.” said Saul.

During the summer season, Saul works as a rep in other countries for TUI such as Greece, Costa del Sol and next year he’ll be heading to Mallorca. But despite the difficult conditions in Lapland, Saul wants to return to experience the Christmas magic.

“The snow, the lights, the magic, the excited families always pulls you back. There’s nowhere else like it” said Saul.

TUI offers festive breaks to Lapland from regional airports across the UK, with value packages that include flights, snowsuits, activities, transfers, Santa visits, and the chance to chase the Northern Lights.