Throughout November, and even more increasingly in December, everyone seems to get a twitchy eye, consumed by the ordeal of Christmas while trying to push their way through the hoards of like-minded shoppers on Oxford Street. Looks like a zombie attack, feels like an apocalypse.
But living in the city, sometimes we forget all the wonderful festive things that go on around this time of the year, because we are so busy planning every minute detail. Christmas music essential.
Winter Wonderland
Now I'm not exactly a regular to Winter Wonderland, in fact I've only ever been a couple of times but it is absolutely mesmerising, especially at nighttime. The bright lights of the fairground rides cut against the coldness in the air and, cheese alert, you can actually feel the Christmas spirit in the air. I know I'm getting all fancy schmancy English GCSE an everything, but it is seriously so mesmerising.
Plus, there is a crafts fair so if it comes to December 22nd and your stuck for a gift idea for you dad, you can take the easy option out and get him a shoddy German wooden tree decoration. Merry Christmas Dad (the market actually has some great stuff. Really great stuff in fact. It just also happens to sell those stupid jelly balls that you put in your vases with flowers... I mean really?!)
Christmas at Harrods
So, this isn't exactly just a Christmas thing, because it seems as if the Harrods Christmas Shop is open year round, but there is something very festive-feeling about the rattle of hideously expensive tree decorations jingling inside the dark-green bag.
Plus, Harrods has London's best selection of Santas. Yes, Santas plural. I was a very sceptical seven year old, and don't think I didn't notice the elves taking oblivious, screaming families to a variety of rooms, instead of just one.
(By the way kids, Santa is real, he just gets super busy making stinking Lego toys which are so god-damn easy to step on in December, so he hires a bunch of bad, middle-aged actors to play Santa)
Would you just take a look at my face in this photo? I think that says it all. If Harrods ever need anyone to come up with an advertising campaign for their Christmas Grotto, I'm their go-to-girl. Just stick that face up on billboards and the masses will come flocking. Although some of them may confuse the advert with one for constipation tablets. Let's not go there.
(Let's not talk about the outfit. Pretty sure the turtleneck look was working in my favour at the time)
Ice Skating
There's something about ice skating that feels so Christmassy. Maybe it's because they only appear at Christmas time, hmmmm. But, you seriously do not need me to condense this information for you! Read Mindy's whole post on it here!
Pantomime
Maybe it's just a family tradition thing, but for me, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the Pantomime. We always go to the one in Richmond, but the Wimbledon and Hammersmith ones are supposed to be good as well...
Actually, does it have to be good? Isn't that the point of the pantomime? Isn't it meant to be absolutely cringeworthy? Confession time, I actually performed in the Hounslow Pantomime back in '09, playing a villager/demon/fairy in Jack And The Beanstalk. Bet you didn't know that? Yes, I'm technically a professional actress. Got paid £40 for 17 shows, which was the bees knees back in Year 8. Would be pretty miffed now though.
Gawking at shop windows/general appreciation
So this isn't really a day trip out, so don't fill up your Thermos with hot chocolate and cut the crusts off your sandwiches (freak) yet... Often the things that you find the most joy out of are things you weren't expecting... Take shop window displays for example. There you are, trying to dash past Selfridges as fast as you can with one too many shopping bags than was necessary, and then seeing the window display. Every year they are always so imaginative and original, and they never fail to put a smile on my face.
Other great examples of top notch window displays include:
- Harrods (obviously)
- Fortune & Masons
- Harvey Nichols
Christmas at Starbucks
Now that it's back, and it's back for good (well until January 5th), we can all enjoy our favourite festive beverages, (almost) guilt-free. Huge arguments arise from the important debate: Toffee Nut Latte vs. Gingerbread Latte.
I know there are Starbucks shops dotted around the country but there's a different feeling within London Starbucks stores. This must be due to the amount of people who visit their regular Starbucks every day and the sheer amount of people who go, all the hustle and bustle. Baristas shout across the store orders which do not want to be repeated 'THAT'LL BE A VENTI SOY GINGERBREAD LATTE WITH SUGAR FREE SYRUP NO CREAM ONE SHOT ONLY'. Feels just a little bit festive, no? The lonely bunch of tinsel draped across the menu in early November is rather odd and out of place, but hey, it's Christmas.
Of course, everyone has their own family Christmas traditions, and that's what really interests me. Christmas is such a basic idea and families have mainly the basic same principles, but it's so interesting to see what different people do with their day. But, anyhoo, I digress. If you have any Christmas traditions in London, or even if I have left anything out, feel free to comment, we don't bite! (Well Mindy does a little, but she tries to be gentle. Poking her eyes out should do the trick)
L x
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