A COUNTY Durham family have enjoyed an early Christmas gift – as they spent a magical day in Lapland after winning a competition at last year’s Newcastle Christmas Village.
Samantha Pattison of Sherburn Road had no idea when she took her two sons for a treat to Newcastle that she’d end the day with a prize trip worth around £3000.
And now after waiting patiently all year Samantha, her mum and her two sons – eight-year-old Carter and Kingston, six – flew out from Teesside Airport on Saturday.
The prize –was organised by EVNT Inspirations, who provide many of the attractions at Newcastle Christmas Market along with pop-up alpine bar, Moosenwirt – who teamed up with the UK’s largest independent travel agent, Hays Travel, for the visit of a lifetime.
Samantha bought a special Christmas mug at the village and was stunned when it contained a gold mark – the indication that she’d scooped the incredible prize.
The family flew out in the early hours of Saturday morning and spent a memorable day meeting Santa, taking a sleigh ride through the woods and going on a husky dog sledge.
“It was absolutely unvelievable,” said Samantha.
“Me and my mam and the boys enjoyed it so much, it was the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Nigel Holliday, co-director of EVNT Inspirations was delighted that the family had made special memories.
“We are very grateful to Hays Travel and to everyone who helped make this such an amazing trip for Sam and her family,” he said.
“We know that they’ve had to wait all year for it but it has given them memories which will stay with them forever.”
This year’s Newcastle Christmas Village – organised on behalf of NE1 and Newcastle City Council – has been so successful that it is now being extened.
Pop-up bar Moosenwirt will stay open on New Year’s Eve until past midnight – offering a memorable way to see in the new year.
The Christmas Village, part of the wider Christmas Market delivered by Newcastle City Council and NE1, has seen families turn out in their thousands to enjoy the many attractions, with organisers EVNT Inspirations deciding to keep the party going.
A new show based around the hit musical Wicked will take place on the Rocking Reindeer stage on 27 and 28 December, with a KPOP Kids’ Party planned on New Year’s Eve from 1pm to 5pm – giving families time to head to the Quayside for the free 6pm fireworks.
Most of the elements which have made the village will continue up until 1 January, including the vintage carousel and the Ferris wheel, which have been a huge draw this year.
Tickets for the new shows are available at