Which activities do you usually do in the run up to Christmas

[jhnroirj]

Now that Halloween is over, am beginning to think about Xmas and the kids who are 7 and 5. So far we only have 1 christmas show booked with friends and are going to Paris after Boxing day. Ordinarily we will also check out some lights - live in London so lots to choose from. Don't have any other plans so far. What do others do in the run up to Christmas to make it festive and special?

There’s normally a lot of school stuff that we do. DD’s school is doing 2 nativity performances so I’ll probably try and go to both if I can, plus the Christmas fete and Carol concert.
We always have a North Pole breakfast at home, do a couple of Christmas bakes (maybe gingerbread and snowmen biscuits?), choose the Christmas tree as a family (and decorate it), and this year the dc are getting involved in a Christmas present appeal. That’s enough for me! Oh, and the grandparents are taking them to see Father Christmas.

Forgot to mention going to the local Christmas light switch on and possibly the cinema if there's a good Christmas film.

Local CofE church has a Christmas Tree Festival in early December whereby local community groups/charities/schools etc decorate a real Christmas tree and it is exhibited in the church aisles. When you visit you can put money in the box underneath your favourite tree, and it all raises money for a different charity each year. They also do a tea & cakes cafe at the same time so it’s a nice festive thing to visit (not at all religious either).

School Christmas fair is a big annual fundraiser and usually really good.

Christmas films at the cinema or at home.

Panto occasionally, which DC also get at Cubs and school and sometimes we go to one.

National Trust places near us usually have festive events on which we visit too.

Id like to find somewhere that has a Christmas carol service (to watch, not me sing too!).

Make and decorate a gingerbread house with DC.

Make a Christmas cake (already started).

A Christmas market of some sort. Dc2 loves outdoor Ice-skating. My right ankle is considerably less keen.
A torchlight walk in the woods telling ghost stories.
Gingerbread house
Christmas Cake mostly for decorating it
Make cookies for Christmas Eve, dried apples dipped in chocolate and peppermint creams
Got a Christmas puppet show booked
Couple of Christmas fayres
Carol service
Lots of Christmas movies
Between school and activities, dc have multiple panto visits, Christmas shows and parties
Advent candle
We always read Enid Blyton's Christmas book and do some of the things after we've read them. For example when we read the chapter about holly and mistletoe, we'll cut holly from the garden and so on.
We cut up old Christmas cards for gift tags and this year, we're going to see if we can make bunting and a wreath from them.
We read a different Christmas themed book every night (I buy a new one every year and put them all away in January so pulling them out on the first feels special, like meeting old friends).

We drive around and look at the Christmas lights.x

We live in zone 5 but on either the 23rd or Christmas Eve we drive in to central London after the congestion charge ends and drive round looking at all the Christmas lights/enjoy soaking up the atmosphere. It helps that DP drives through central London every day for work so he's very confident behind the wheel - I'd be far too nervous!

I live in the North West.

Usually the first Christmas themed thing I do is to visit Chatsworth with my sisters. We are doing this next week. This is a full day because we will go round the house, which always is decorated in a spectacular Christmas theme; then there is a very good market where I usually get quite a few presents, and also a light show in the garden.

Nearer Christmas I am involved in various Christmas Carol concerts. I play in a local band and we always do a carol concert in the local park and also a very popular one at a local NT property. This last one sometimes attracts a large crowd . It does tend to get one in the Christmas spirit. 😊

We go to the pantomime every year, decorate gingerbread houses and go to the local Christmas light switch on. I usually do some Christmas baking with dd too

Wisley Glow kicks off Christmas for us every year.

Our town has a lovely huge tree which is lit up and there's a nice little "ceremony" they do for the switch on with mulled wine and mince pies, Carol singing and Santa etc.

Our road also has a switch on which started in lockdown and has now become an annual fixture. It's a lovely occasion with the neighbours (and more mulled wine 🍷😁).

That's about it. We don't have children but if we did I'd add a panto or ballet after Christmas.