Originally Posted by full of luv

Buzz,
I took family last New Years as my oldest was marching in London New Years Day parade. We arrived on the 28th of Dec and left on the 3rd. Depending on the age and interests of the kids, your itinerary could change.
Just riding around London on the top deck of a public bus intrigues my youngest. We stayed at the holiday inn kensington (one of the crew hotels) and the advantage to that was the pub and restaurant on bottom floor give 50% off (food and spirits) and the breakfast buffet was pretty expansive. I found a rate online cheaper than what the hotel offered via a "crew" rate, but I also waited until the day before to book and paid about $180/night all in all. Hotel is right on Picadellli line so easy one train ride right from LHR, no transfer with bags, etc. Starbucks on same block and the area around kensington is the big museum area as well.
If your into any history, recommend the Winston Churchill / WW2 bunker museum by parliament building downtown. Part of it is actual bunker the way it was at the end of WW2, the other half was very well done museum about Winston Churchill, intriguing to anyone, even kids.
Also, recommend a visit to Greenwich, where you can tour the original telescopes that some of the most famous astronomers used and stand on the prime meridian, very well done. Included is a tour of the National Maritime Museum at the bottom of the hill which had an amazing display of ancient time pieces used by explorers to try and discern their longitude. Very well presented, and actual log books from Captain Cooks voyages etc on display.
Obviously you have the london eye (btw, the concierge at the Holiday inn had access to tickets that were about 25% less than online or if you stood in line).
During the winter (at least last year and I suspect every year) there was a massive "winter wonderland" village set up in Hyde park that was open each afternoon till midnight where it was part beer garden, amusement park, craft sale, and entertainment bonanza. It was going from mid november till Jan 10th I believe.
Lastly around town there were mini christmas villages that had ice skating rinks and things to eat and buy.
Obviously it is weather dependent, but otherwise we had a great time.
LUV