NO matter whether you try and ignore it is still hard to escape from the reality that Christmas is fast approaching.

Driving around, or just walking, you can’t get away from the ‘Book your Christmas Meal’ adverts at pubs and restaurants, the toys and more adult present suggestions on television, or the simple knowledge that Halloween will soon be celebrated and then the countdown really does begin in earnest.

So maybe it’s best to resign yourself to the inevitable and prepare for all the enjoyments of the festive season – possibly even thoughts of straying near to Father Christmas with a holiday in one of the Scandinavian countries.

As the official home to Santa Claus himself, it's no wonder that Finland is full of festive events and activities across the joyful season.

Festivities culminate on Christmas Eve when Finns traditionally take a sauna, enjoy Christmas delicacies, relax with family and friends and, if they're lucky, get a visit from Santa.

However, the Christmas season starts as early as November with an abundance of celebrations, known as pikkujoulu or 'Little Christmas', and traditions.

Markets set the scene for Christmas -

Finland's Christmas markets are a great way to start advent preparations and get in the festive mood. They are known for their handmade decorations, ornaments, handicrafts, gifts and baked goods, such as hard ginger bread, so a good place to search for a quirky Christmas gift. A highlight of most markets is the hot Finnish mulled wine, Glögi, which helps to ward off the crisp winter air.

St Thomas Market in Helsinki's Senate Square is the biggest Christmas market in Finland with close to 150 vendors in red wooden stalls. At weekends, Santa Claus visits the markets and Christmas bands entertain the crowds. The market is open daily from December 8–21. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/whats-on/events-in-helsinki/st-thomas-market-2014.

Meanwhile, the Tampere Christmas Market in Finland's second city, 180km north-west of Helsinki, is the focus of the town throughout December, taking over the square with traditional stalls and spreading Christmas spirit. Daily entertainment includes carol singers, Santa Claus meet-and-greets and a musical play. The market is open daily from December 5-22. http://www.visittampere.fi/place/1570.

Lucia's crown of candles lights up the darkness -

St. Lucia's Day on December 13 sees thousands of people gather at Helsinki Cathedral to watch a young woman crowned as St. Lucy, or simply Lucia.

The crowning is followed by a procession through the city where Lucia greets the public wearing a white gown and a crown of lingonberry twigs and candles, and a charity collection takes place.

The Lucia tradition is based on the legend of virgin-martyr St. Lucia, who was killed during the persecutions of the Christians in 304 AD and is now a symbol of charity, compassion and light. The tradition came to Finland from Sweden and has been celebrated in its current form since 1949. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/whats-on/events-in-helsinki/lucia-parade-2014.

The City of Turku declares Christmas Peace -

The Declaration of Christmas Peace at noon on December 24 marks the official beginning of Christmas. Thousands of people gather to listen to the declaration, which has taken place at the Old Square in Turku since the 1320s.

The declaration is addressed to "all the townspeople" and nowadays concludes with a humanitarian and ecumenical message. The present-day Christmas Declaration was written down from memory by the Town Clerk after the Great Fire of Turku in the early 1800s. The Declaration has been aired on radio since 1935 and televised since 1983.

Santa Claus – not just for Christmas -

Santa Claus, or Joulupukki in Finnish, is originally from the Korvatunturi Fell in North East Lapland, yet has now made the Lappish capital, Rovaniemi, his official hometown and headquarters.

At Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, open throughout the year, visitors can visit Santa Claus' Office and Main Post Office, where they can observe the flurry of the festive season. Cards, letters and parcels sent from Santa Claus' Main Post Office are franked with a special Arctic Circle postmark, which can't be found anywhere else. www.santaclausvillage.info.

The village is open year round and opening hours vary. See http://www.santaclausvillage.info/opening-hours/opening-hours/. Entrance is free.

Nearby SantaPark is a Christmas fantasy world built inside an underground cavern where elves continue to bustle all year round.

Visitors can bake and decorate gingerbread in the Gingerbread Kitchen, learn elf skills in the Elf School or make Christmas decorations in the Elf Workshop. SantaPark's Sleigh Ride explores the four seasons of Finland and ends in the elves' toy factory, where the presents for next Christmas are made. www.santapark.com. Entrance to SantaPark: Adults from 31€; Children (three-12 years) from 25.50€ (Free for children under three years).

The Santa Express (bus line number eight) connects Santa Claus World and Rovaniemi Railway Station.

New for 2014 is Santa Claus World at Linnanmäki Amusement Park in Helsinki which offers the chance to meet Santa Claus at all times of year. Accompanied by Santa's elves, visitors are led through a fairy-tale Lappish setting, complete with the northern lights and illustrating Santa's Christmas story, before meeting the main man himself at his cottage.

The Santa Claus World shop has a selection of Christmas-themed products, as well as a special postal service that sends cards marked with a special Santa Claus World Linnanmäki stamp. www.linnanmaki.fi/en/santa-claus-world and santaclausworld.com/en/santaclausworld/.

Entrance to Santa Claus World: 5€ per person; Free for children under three years. Opening hours vary. See www.linnanmaki.fi/suunnittele/aukioloajat.

Travelling there is quite easy as Finnair flies to Helsinki from London Heathrow and Manchester with return fares in December from £140 and £171 respectively. Return connecting flights to Rovaniemi with Finnair in December start from £175.