Want to make a day of it and let your hair down when it comes to Christmas shopping?

Here's how, in Oxford Street:

There's something special about a Christmas shopping trip in the capital.

The anticipation of the train ride, and then when you arrive, everything is a little bit bigger and a little bit more sparkly.

In fact there are more than 200,000 lights sparkling above London's Oxford Street this year.

And if you're worried about your carbon footprint while heading off shopping (though you have just taken the train, so you're already on your way environmentally) they are using energy-saving technology.

There are 27 LED light curtains have been draped over the length of the street. It's the 60th year of the shopping thoroughfare being lit up and this year it is using the latest in progressive LED technology with energy savings of up to 90% compared to conventional lighting.

Providing 1.2 miles-worth of shopping heaven, the street is home to many flagship stores, including John Lewis, where our trip began, as we sought out the Quality Street Christmas pop-up. Take your tin along from last year and it will cost you £12 to be filled, or choose your favourites and personalise your tin for £15.

It's busy, but the queue goes down quickly. You can also do this genius pressie idea at the John Lewis in Bluewater, if you can't make the trek to London.

While inside Selfridges, if you head to the fourth floor, you'll find FAO Schwartz, which is the just-opened European flagship America’s oldest toy retailer. You don't need to have little ones to love this experience, as we proved. Our youngest member was 14 but that didn't stop us spending more than an hour looking at £1,000 teddies - or smaller ones, such as turtles where you can also help conservation for real ones - scientific fun and even musical drum sticks.

Shopping, and all the walking involved, means energy food is called for but if you're a party of varied tastes, you could try a brand new food court which has opened just off Oxford Street. Market Halls has food from around the world, all under one, trendy, roof, and the problem won't be finding something you like - it will be trying to narrow it down from what's available.

There are 11 kitchens offering everything freshly cooked - and you can pick your spot to sit, while your hand held device flashes up when yours is ready.

There's a particularly impressive spread and friendly service at Baoziinn, which claims to make the best dumplings in London, which seemed accurate to us. Or you could fill your burger boots with Hotbox, which has been described as a “meaty barbecue masterpiece”; or opt for Pastaio which serves all day fresh pasta.

The halls have only been open a very short time so may become very popular but for now, they're an oasis of calm amid the hustle and bustle, and quite a find. You'll be patting yourself on the back when you've discovered it.

Another way to take a breather, while also feeling like you've walked in the footsteps of celebrities, is to pop into the Dyson Demo store, which has been open two years, and which also has a styling salon upstairs where you can see the results of the hair products on offer - and come out feeling a million dollars.

The technology is breathtaking. We listened intently as charismatic store manager Lyndsey Bowler took us through the Dyson Airwrap, which will give you less damaging curls or straightening, and leave you with the hair you've always wanted - it can even curl your hair in different directions to add volume. Here, we were literally walking in celebrities' footsteps, as Toff from Made In Chelsea had sat in the same chair having her hair done the day before.

Many retailers on the street are delivering a series of seasonally themed in-store events and shopping experiences this festive season. There are also plenty of sights to see, which are free and add to the experience, including the world famous Selfridges window display, which just keeps on coming.

Even if you go home laden with goodies, or near empty handed as we did, you'll feel like your Christmas really has come early.

* Find out more about the offers and retailers at oxfordstreet.co.uk/Christmas

You can visit Market Halls at Holles Street, Marylebone, W1G 0DB or visit markethalls.co.uk/market/west-end

To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.