Five fab… Christmas experiences

My memories of childhood Christmasses are filled with pantomimes, ballets, shopping by fairy light and, of course, the annual visit to see the big man himself, and I like to think I can recreate that sense of wonder and excitement for Alfie and Kitty. Here are a few of our favourite ways to inject a little magic into the festive season. 

A visit to Father Christmas is essential. We’re visiting LaplandUK for the first time this year, which is very exciting. The children have received their invitations already, but we’re saving them for nearer the date in case the excitement levels peak. Based in Berkshire, children get the full works – making toys in the workshop with elves, icing gingerbread with Mother Christmas, ice skating and a private personalised chat with FC to discuss your list, followed by a gift of a husky soft toy (this will clearly be Kitty’s favourite thing). We’ll report back after our visit. We’ll also be repeating our annual audience with the lovely Royal Pavilion Santa – highly recommended for all you Sussex families.
LaplandUK, Whitmoor Forest, Swinley Road, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 8BD. From 21 November to 24 December, Tickets from £45 per person (including all activities and gift). Royal Pavilion Father Christmas, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, BN1 1EE. From 12 to 22 December. £9.50 per child (including gift). 

If you haven’t been for a while you’ll probably be surprised at how good pantomimes are these days. Yes, you’ll undoubtedly encounter an z-list soap star or two, but that’s a small price to pay for the enjoyment small people get from the silliness of it all. The sheer novelty of being able to shout and be generally rowdy in a theatre setting is almost enough on its own. Hackney Empire’s efforts are widely considered to be the best, with Clive Rowe bringing his inimitable dame skills to Jack & The Beanstalk in 2015. We go to Milton Keynes as it’s near my parents’ house which this year offers the bizarre spectacle of Priscilla Presley (yes, really) as the genie in Aladdin. The mind boggles.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Hackney Empire, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ.  21 November to 3 January. From £34.50. Aladdin at Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK9 3NZ. 4 December to 10 January. From £13.90.

Ice skating in an unusual location has become a winter must-do in recent years, with a host of landmark buildings laying on a rink with a spectacular backdrop. I like the sound of the Eden Project one , which boasts lantern processions and choirs to add to the seasonal charm. Less far afield (unless, of course, you are based in Cornwall), Hampton Court Palace, The Natural History Museum, The Royal Pavilion, The Tower of London and Somerset House are all reprising their skating successes for 2015.
Ice Skating at The Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG. Until 28 February. From £3. 

Ah, the ballet. Wonderful all year round, but especially twinkly and magical during the festive season. Matthew Bourne’s productions are always out of this world and colourful enough to keep children entertained for the entire show. This year, Sleeping Beauty is taking over Sadler’s Wells for eight weeks. Other small-people friendly ballet shows on over Christmas are Christmas classic tales The Nutcracker, at The Royal Opera House and The Birmingham Hippodrome, Cinderella at The Festival Theatre, Edinburgh and The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre. Sleeping Beauty, Sadler’s Wells, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN. 1 December to 24 January.

Now, we’re sure that most of you will be making the journey down to Brighton for our first ever pop-up to do all your Christmas shopping (*winky face*), but, just in case you can’t make it, there are lots of fab markets and fairs going on enabling you to eschew the big high-street outlets in favour of small independents. Our lovely partners Dot to Dot are running a Designer Christmas Market on 29 November, the Crafty Fox Market is popping up all over London in December, KidsArcade is popping up in the Cotswolds on 28 November, Brighton boasts The Fairy Tale Fair on 12 December, the Made in Bristol Gift Fair comes to Colston Hall on four dates, kicking off on 28 November and Victoria Park’s extravaganza Winterville promises some of the most interesting shopping experiences, with a Bizarre Bazaar and Pop Shop alongside more traditional festive fayre. Wallets at the ready…