Of course when it comes to Christmas in the capital there are an endless amount of options at our fingertips nowadays.

Winter Wonderland, having a look at the lights around the West End, taking a peek at the Harrod’s Christmas window display…they’re all classic festive options in London around December.

But what if, God forbid, you’re not the tacky Christmas type? Winter Wonderland is your idea of hell and you couldn’t care less how big the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.

Well, there’s plenty of ways to get your wintery kick without a whiff of tinsel of Christmas music in sight…

Fondue and Charcuterie in Old Spitalfields Market

Because nothing screams Christmas more than melted cheese right?

I visited Androuet in Spitalfields last Christmas by a happy accident, and it was a welcome winters respite from the endless present shopping.

Sit inside or outside under heaters and over indulge in molten chocolate fondue, rich charcuterie and mulled wine.

Ballet

It’s not for everyone, but Ballet is undeniably festive and always has been! Not a ‘he’s behind you’ in sight but a just as jolly trip to the theatre as any Pantomime.

There’s something so lovely about emerging from the theatre buzzing from the show and seeing your icy breath in the air before you head home under the Christmas lights.

Opt for a performance of the Nutcracker. The English National Ballet are performing it at their London home, the Coloseum, from the 14th December.

Deer spotting in a Royal Park

Winter walks don’t need to be done around Christmas, but it helps to get in the mood! Why not take a walk in one of the Royal Parks this December.

Both Richmond Park and Greenwich Park are home to deer, and well, they’re just distant cousins of Reindeer right?

Warm up after with a hot choc and it makes for a Sunday morning well spent.

A roast dinner and mulled wine at the pub

Roast dinner in a pub is a British classic, but warm up for your Christmas Day feast by training your belly with endless roasts beforehand.

My favourite pub in the whole of London is the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich. It has amazing views of the Cutty Sark, does incredible – and reasonable – roast dinners as well as mulled wine to die for (you can even add a shot of brandy).

Hot Chocolate on the Southbank

I asked some fellow bloggers what simple things gave them all the festive feels, and Ellen from www.taleoftworuns.com said a hot chocolate while walking along the Southbank.

“Walk around Southbank and have some hot chocolate at Borough market and some cheese shopping at the shops there!! It is also a way to have a “budget” outing if you just browse…Or simply just get a coffee and walk around and look at the lights!”

I’d have to agree with that! And the view from the Southbank across the river at night is particularly lovely.

I hope that’s given you some festive inspiration without feeling the need to head into central London this year, because we all know that’s terrifying around Christmas!