I don't usually get full-on festive as early as December 2 but this year we had good reason to crack out the Christmas jumpers early.

Last Thursday the Eden Project launched its Christmas Experience with a preview night that we were lucky enough to be invited to.

Walking down to the domes we found them to be lit in a kaleidoscope of colours and glitter, suggesting that an evening of magic was about to happen.

Not being the adventurous types – or blessed with particularly good balance – we decided to skip the ice skating. However, queuing for our mulled wine and spiced apple juice from the cafe next to the rink, we watched plenty of people with no such reticence whiz their way across the ice under a colour-changing dome and felt very festive. (It's worth noting there are small plastic penguins for children to hold onto – and a very effective looking larger snowman equivalent should, like me, you still struggle to stay upright on a wet slope well into your thirties or beyond.)

The skating rink is lit with ever-changing colours

The skating rink is lit with ever-changing colours

A golden tunnel of twinkling lights leads to the entrance of the biomes and a one-way trail through the lit-up plants.

Our main reason for the visit, however, was the Father Christmas experience. Taking place in a double tipi bedecked in fairy lights, Christmas trees and tree stump seating, there unfolds a joyful Christmas tale told by the elves and Santa himself, of how they discovered a new way of guiding the reindeer home.

In a sweet addition at the end, each child gets to meet Father Christmas before being given a little jar of reindeer dust to take home and 'charge' on Christmas Eve, along with some chocolate treats – for both kids AND their grown ups. Hurrah!

Santa and his elves present a heart-warming story

Santa and his elves present a heart-warming story

So, after an evening filled with magical, twinkling lights, elves and a visit to the big man himself, what was the six-year-old's verdict on her favourite part? "Being given 'reindeer poop' at the end." (This may not have been the intention. They may have been simply chocolate buttons. But the car was dark and journey home lengthy...)

Should your child be more appreciative of Christmas magic, or indeed content with pellet-shaped chocolate, we can highly recommend. There really is something for everyone.

The biomes lit up

The biomes lit up

  • Eden’s Christmas experience takes place on selected dates until Thursday, December 30. Admission to the Father Christmas experience at Eden must be pre-booked and is priced at £10 to £14. The 40-minute skating sessions cost £8 per adult and £7 per child. For more information on Eden’s Christmas experience and to pre-book timed entry slots and tickets for the Father Christmas experience visit www.edenproject.com