How to make Christmas magical for kids?

[Shopperami]

What things do you do to make it magical In the run up and during Christmas ?

Granted my LO is only 16 months, but Im really excited about taking her to see Santa this month. When shes older definitely a Panto trip, and decorating the tree together.

We have a local Garden Centre that sell xmas trees, decorations and lights which they set up like a xmas wonderland they also have a Santas Grotto and Reindeer so we always take our DD to see these.
We do Elf on the Shelf which she loves! DD's always very excited to see what elf has been up to while she's asleep/at school.
We also try to make time for xmas crafts and of course writing her letter to Santa.

Do you know about the Royal Mail santa letters? It's a free service where your DC send a letter to santa at Santa's Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ before December 8th and they get a personalised letter back. DD (5) loved it last year so have done the same again this year. We have also booked a "breakfast with Santa" at a local garden centre and she is going to see a pantomime with school.

What ages are your dc?
When mine were small I did the same kind of things that I normally did but with a chrissmassy twist. So instead of painting we made wrapping paper with handprints/potato prints or made Christmas cards. Instead of playdough we made salt dough decorations or fondant shapes. We cut out snowflakes. Instead of baking for ourselves we baked gifts of cookies and gingerbread men. Instead of the usual story book, we read Christmas themed books.
Over time these have becomes traditions. So even though the dc are more likely to spend the afternoon playing in the garden, reading and coding, they still want to come and make snowflakes and cookies.

For me as child Xmas all about smells, grotto heavily decorated house, got have something hanging on ceiling.... Opulence.