For the millions of shoppers from all over the world (and Oxford) who head into the West End and pad along the iconic pavements of Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, getting the most of their visit when faced with more than 600 shops takes some insider knowledge.

By train, London is just 50 minutes away, and by coach, as little as two hours. For cheap day day returns after rush hour, you should get change out of £20, or a whole lot more if you take the coach.

So to help you beat Santa at his own game when it comes to Christmas shopping know-how, here's a sneak preview of what's on this year, from special events and diary dates to retailer shopping services to help lighten the load.

VIP DAY: Hundreds of shops will be pulling out all the stops to make this year's Shop West End VIP Day (Very Important Pedestrians) on Saturday, December 1 the best shopping day on record.

Oxford Street, Regent Street and this year, Bond Street, will be traffic-free for the first time in history. Expect theatrical high jinks, VIP treats, live music and celebrity appearances whilst you take advantage of the three miles of unadulterated shopping bliss to bag all those Christmas presents.

LIGHTS UP: For six weeks, the West End will be decorated with a million glimmering lights (all carbon offset for the first time).

ICE RINK: Get your skates on and head to Hyde Park, at the Marble Arch end of Oxford Street, to whiz round the first ever West End Ice Rink - the largest outdoor ice rink this year in the capital (open from December 1-January 6).

SHOPPING BUDDY: With an encyclopaedic knowledge of the West Ends 600 shops and their personal shoppers, such as Liberty, Fenwick, Top Shop, Browns and Selfridges, West End Personal Shoppers has styled the likes of Helen Mirren, Jessica Simpson and Ricky Gervais, and will be offering exclusively tailored shopping trips. For more information, go to www.newwestend.com

CHRISTMAS-MERGENCY SHOPPING KIOSK: New West End Company's Red Caps are the meeters and greeters of the West End. This Christmas, they're taking on Santa's remit and will be manning the first ever Xmas-Mergency Shopping Kiosk in Oxford Street to help shoppers out with last minute present-buying panics and offer insider tips.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD: Foodies will be flocking to the first John Lewis Foodhall from Waitrose, a gastro paradise in Oxford Street stocked with more than 100 different varieties of cheese and 80 types of Champagne.

Top up on exclusive delicacies, such as silver leaf-embellished chocolates from the nearby Selfridges Food Hall, which boasts 100 types of honey and a charcuterie department packed with 45 types of salami.

MID-SHOP FESTIVE REFUELLING: Head to the hidden gems in London's West End such as Heddon Street, South Moulton Street and Lancashire Court, or check out the eateries tucked away in the following shops: Fenwick (Drones), Habitat (Nouveaute), Nicole Farhi (Nicoles) Armani, DKNY, Liberty (Tea Room or Art Bar Café), Topshop Kitchen and the new Wonder Bar at Selfridges.

SLEIGH RIDE SERVICES: Take advantage of all these shopping services: Personal shoppers at Selfridges, Debenhams, Fenwick, John Lewis, Browns, House of Fraser, Top Shop, Gap, Waterstone's, Austin Reed, Monsoon & Accessorize, Brooks Brothers, Mango, Aquascutum (try their new personalised tailoring service) and Hamleys (November sees the launch of the exclusive Hamleys Toy Finder service at its Regent Street store).

Gift wrapping is on offer at Top Shop, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Gap, La Senza, Hugo Boss, H&M, John Lewis, Benetton.

You can pay now, pick up later at: John Lewis, Gap, Waterstone's, Marks&Spencer, Habitat, Selfridges.

Home delivery is available at Liberty, Hamleys, John Lewis, Waterstones, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Top Shop, Monsoon & Accessorize, Marks and Spencer.

Santa Claus: House of Fraser will have a roaming Santa throughout December, and from December 1 onwards, shoppers will be able to head to Hamleys for breakfast with Santa, starting at 9.30am.

For further information on all of the above activities and services, go either to www.visitlondon.com or www.newwestend.com