You know, I know it's not always the best strategy and can lead to ignorance and disassociation from what happening around the world, but in the run up to Ramadan, I completely switch off from reading news and following current affairs. Not because I'm not concerned, but because of the feelings they ignite within me. Anger, fustration, helplessness.... I feel I need to clear my system of everything and just focus on strengthening my bond with Allah over this month. So, erm, I'm going to just waffle on about other stuff.... 
; I hope you all don't feel I'm rude.
The last few ramadans have been the best I've ever had. Alhamdulillah, I've been able to focus on my worship and create a good environment with the family. But the key to that has always been preparation. I have a whole system of preparing for Ramadan that would rival the preparations others do in the run up to Christmas. But, it's essential for me to help me focus.
Some of the things I do are a bit OTT, but I do it anyway. For example, my husband and I both don't work in Ramadan. Four to six weeks before Ramadan, I clean my whole house out from top to bottom. Every kitchen cupboard, every corner of the bedrooms, all the wardrobes, storerooms etc. it means I have a totally clean and organised house before Ramadan so I can think straight.
Then I fill my humongous chest freezer up. Marinated fish, chicken, pies, bakes, desserts, samosas, kebabs, pastries, all sorts. Everything is organised into freezer bags and tubs with military precision. I always encourage my DH to bring guests from the masjid for Iftar so I prepare for them too. And my menu and shopping lists are all planned in advance too.
Then we, as a family, up our routine of daily recitation, tasbeehat etc. Alhamdulillah, my two eldest DS are huffaz and the you get two are halfway through it so we have a system in place anyway. But in the run up to Ramadan, we go at it for longer and commit ourselves more.
Then we all have an additional Islamic activity too. I, for example, keep a tafseer project or a translation of an islamic text project, or some other sort of a study project to hand for those moments when I can't recite Quran of need something else to do. My DC do the same. Usually it's a pile of islamic books of biographies of Companions. Sometimes it's a project on an Islamic theme that they build up and show to their madrasah classmates afterwards.
On top of all that, smartphones, computers, Internet etc is rationed. We cut down by almost 95% in Ramadan, limiting ourselves to necessary email and contact or listening to talks if Quran only in Ramadan, so in the build up, we prepare by cutting down.
I also visit family before Ramadan. Aunts, uncles, cousins etc so we don't end up socialising in Ramadan as much and request each other for duas etc. we also take dates for everyone as a gift and to receive the reward of providing Iftar for a fasting person.
What else... oh I try to fast in Shaban too, but it's hard at the moment.
I do love Ramadan. It's always such a spiritually uplifting and immensely satisfying time of the year.