Christmas in London – It’s the Most Magical Time of the Year…

There are important key factors which one promptly learns when making London one’s new place of residence.

Number 1: The city’s pubs and restaurants book out extremely quickly and reservations in advance are almost always a must if you want to avoid disappointment and be left standing on a cold corner clutching a less than desirable supermarket sandwich in one hand and a tepid flat white in the other.

Number 2: If you want to venture anywhere in London (and you will!) to explore everything this wonderful city has to offer then I suggest you acquaint yourself with the intricacies of modern public transport – before I moved here, the thought of relying on buses and trains made me break out in a cold sweat. It was my feet, my car, or nothing! Oh, how I have changed.

Number 3: You need to accept that it will take you on average one hour to get to any given destination (train changes, train strikes, traffic congestion, unexpected snowfall, the list goes on….) that is not in the immediate vicinity of your neighbourhood – Greater London has at least 48 neighbourhoods stretched out across 32 boroughs.

Number 4: Although there are many wonderful free activities to enjoy in this incredibly diverse metropolis, London is still one hundred percent one of the most expensive places to live in the world. Therefore, no matter how long you have lived here, be prepared to always be holding a running mental exchange rate in your head. ALWAYS. Yes, you just paid AUD$6.30 for that flat white.

And finally, number 5: The most magical time of year in London is Christmas. Number 5 is not up for negotiation. It is imperative to counterbalance the less than pleasant winter temperatures with as much festive cheer as humanly possible because Ol’ Blue Eyes knew how dark and miserable January and February was going to be.

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we’ve no place to go

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

As temperatures plummet to minus single digits, the city transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Twinkling lights zig zag high above our heads while giant sparkling baubles, with their shiny, happy iridescent faces are festooned throughout the rabbit warren of alleyways and glittering high streets. Rugged up street vendors with woollen scarves wrapped firmly around their necks serve warming ladles of spicy mulled wine with a merry dose of festive cheer.

Even the gruffest amongst us cannot resist the allure of the much beloved and highly anticipated yearly appearance of the fruit mince pie. There are two steadfast things you can rely on regarding the British temperament: if there are two or more people loitering about, an orderly queue will almost certainly appear, and from the 1st of December – not a moment before – those tiny yet gloriously delicious morsels known as fruit mince pies will magically materialise in all their buttery, spicy glory. Every café and supermarket worth their festive cheer will fill their shelves and countertops with these perfect little merry treats.

Window dressing is elevated to artistic highs during the month of December as merchandisers worth their salt adorn shopfronts with flamboyantly vivid creations to lure in passers-by. Vibrant hand-crafted Christmas scenes brimming with pastel paper snowflakes and naturalistic winter landscapes spring up around the city almost overnight as though scores of magical Christmas elves were let loose on the streets. Many make the trek into town for the chance to revel in the shopping spirit, yet we simply venture forth for the spectacle, and perhaps the chance to devour our fair share of spicy seasonal treats!

Soaking up the intricate details and old-world charm inside the Liberty London department store. Visit for a shopping experience steeped in British heritage, from its famous mock-Tudor exterior, to the iconic Liberty fabric found inside.

Meandering may be one of our favourite (and free!) activities in this glorious city, yet during the Christmas period the streets are heaving with onlookers and tourists hoping to snag the best Instagram-worthy shots, rendering our ability to amble at a leisurely pace an impossible feat. We strive to keep our wits about us, immersing ourselves in the festival-like atmosphere. Yet at some point, I am inevitably trodden on by a gaggle of giggling girls more intent on their absorbing conversation than the meagreness of my presence. We admit defeat and head indoors to languish by the fire with the promise of a Sunday roast and a warming glass of pinot noir.

I hope you enjoyed a little jaunt into town to revel in some of the city’s prettiest festive sights with The Sunday Londoner. Please do leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever visited London during the Christmas period? If so, where are some of your favourite festive spots?