It gets closer every year, I know, but it is time to start thinking about Christmas again.

The lights at Bluewater Shopping Centre are going to switched on November 9 in a festive celebration based around the 12 days of Christmas.

Bluewater will unveil its new decorations as the lights are switched on by Heart Radio's breakfast presenters James Heming and Becky Ives.

The Giving Tree will be returning the the centre as well outside M&S. Shoppers can donate presents for disadvantaged children by leaving them by the tree.

Last year 15,000 presents were delivered to children in the south east.

Santa will of course be back at Bluewater from November 16 until Xmas Eve in his grotto, which will be by the lakes outside the West Village.

Tickets are £10 per child and they will be transformed in elves before meeting Santa's chef and the big man himself.

From November 16 until January 7 shoppers can swap bags for skates at an outdoor ice rink. Tickets are £9 for children, £10 for juniors and £11 for adults.

This year there will be skate lessons, Friday night parties, and baby and toddler mornings.

Extended shopping hours will start from November 24, Shops will be open until 10pm Monday to Saturday, and until 11pm from December 11.

A Bluewater spokesman said a flagship trampoline park will be open in time for the Christmas holidays.

GraVity's trampoline park will have 'Trampolean' classes and specialised versions of basketball and volleyball.