Brussels is a great place to go in the run-up to Christmas. It has a traditional Christmas market where you can shop for unusual craft gifts and stocking fillers while filling up on their special pancakes and gluhwein!
Then make sure to head for the fun fair, which has fabulous antique merry-go-rounds with weird and wonderful moving creatures to ride on. Also, there is a great flea market where you can still manage to pick up superb retro furniture at reasonable prices; just plan ahead on how to get them on the Eurostar.
Ooh, and take warm gloves, hat, scarf and coat because it is super chilly in December - but at least it makes you feel Christmassy!