I get the train at Christmas - precisely for the baggage reason as it means there are less restrictions on gifts and less likelihood of damage.

If you book far enough ahead, you can get a first class advance ticket for around ?65 which gets you free tea/coffee/biscuits brought around to you, a steward to order things from the buffet and a guaranteed seat in first class - which is a little more spacious and less noisy than standard - particularly on those busy trains where there are more people standing along the aisles in standard class than sitting down.