The LG Festive Activity Calendar

A good hot chocolate comes down to the ingredients, and we love the festive options from Knoops and Hotel Chocolat. Even if you’re going for a classic Cadbury’s mix, elevate it by popping both your milk and chocolate powder into a milk frother. Not only does it heat and blend the milk and chocolate together, it also makes the drink ultra-velvety and smooth. Serve it in a festive mug and finish off with marshmallows and cream. A twist on a classic hot chocolate, try with this Lindt Reindeer Hot Chocolate recipe. Drink it quickly and top it with whipped cream – add a little Bailey’s if you fancy it.

While there are plenty of ways to spend your money right now, strolling the most festive areas in town to see the Christmas lights is both free and full of joy. While Oxford and Regent Streets are an obvious choice, we also recommend visiting Carnaby Street and Covent Garden. Plus, you may only be able to window shop, but London's department stores have some of the best installations. Check out Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harrods. 

Nothing says Christmas like a Harry Potter movie marathon. With all eight movies now available on Netflix, get into some festive PJs, make a hot chocolate (see above) and enjoy.

New festive PJs are a mandatory part of the festive run-up. This year, there are some great options on the high street. Go for something silky from Topshop or H&M or something soft and cosy from M&S. 

It’s now easier than ever to make your own gingerbread house at home, thanks to Flying Tiger. With kits that make it effortless, all you need is to get your friends together and pop on some festive tunes.

There are plenty of great Christmas playlists out there, but this one is a favourite. Featuring classics from Michael Bublé, you can also expect festive pop anthems from Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.

If you love granola, fruit and yogurt in the mornings, a few simple tweaks such as a dash of cinnamon, a zesting or orange or seasonal fruits will help get your everyday brekkie feel a little more festive.

For the best snacks, rides, music and drinks, a Christmas Market is always a great way to spend time with friends or loved ones. Winter Wonderland is a classic in London, but others like the market at Battersea Power Station or Southbank also deserve a visit.

No Christmas countdown is complete without at least one screening of this iconic movie. To upgrade your viewing experience, invest in an Amazon projector to get that cinema-feel from home.

One of the easiest, most affordable ways to decorate your home is to create some orange garlands. To do it, you’ll need a bag of oranges, sliced into 2-3in rounds. To dry them, pop them on a baking sheet in the oven at around 130°C for around two hours. Once cooled, attach them to some ribbon or string – there are plenty of affordable options on Amazon – and tie them up around your home.

If going "out-out" isn't *quite* your idea of a good time, another option is to get the girls around for a festive 'Girl Dinner'. M&S always nails its festive ranges so it's the place to go to kit out your next get-together. While Percy Pigs are a classic, we’re keen to try snacks like Reindeer Bao Buns, Gingerbread Shortbread and festive nut butter this year.

Whether you visit Somerset house, Jo Malone’s Glide at Battersea Power Station or Greenwich, or Canary Wharf’s rinks – there are so many options for an afternoon of ice skating in London.