Christmas in London!

German Christmas markets were always on my Bucket List.  But, I had no idea that London should have been at the top of my Christmas Bucket List; like at the very tippy top TOP of that Bucket List.  Not just near the top, but AT. THE. TOP.  

In 2015, I turned a certain age..... and, I decided it was time to go to Germany to the Christmas Markets.  Just after we bought our tickets, we started to feel fearful of the terror situation.  There were some pretty credible threats.  It just didn't feel right to go so we cancelled.  *sad trombone*.

The decorations are everywhere!

In 2016, we decided we were going - no matter what!  Mr. Cockfosters had business in London so we decided to start out there and then move on to his business in Frankfurt where I would encounter my first German Christmas Market (it did NOT disappoint) and from there we would be on vacation and head to Strasbourg and Colmar, France (France took it up another notch).  

Anyway.... while German and French Christmas Markets are in their own category (leave a comment if you want a post about those), London is like someone rained glitter on the city and then plugged it all in.  I have never seen lights like that in my life.  It is such an undertaking that they turn them on around the middle of November (much to the grumbling of some city residents).  But, when you don't have Thanksgiving to actually signal it's okay to put your Christmas decorations up (who am I kidding - it's actually Halloween if you are a retailer - actually, I swear it's Labor Day, now....), then you have to make a judgment call on when to switch on those lights.  

FUN FACT:  We love Christmas time in London so much that we went back in 2017 and took Regina P and her Mr Cockfosters with us.  My husband and I are currently talking about doing it again this year.  Yeah, that's how good it is.....  

CAUTION:  If you plan to see London and then go on to Germany or France, do be aware that many Christmas Markets do NOT open up until the last weekend in November or first weekend in December.  Don't head for London Thanksgiving Week and then think you can just pop over to Germany for markets.  Timing is everything.....

Do you see that we were out in London after sundown!  If you read my first post, you'll understand what this means - LOL  

Harrods Candy and Food Halls - a must stop!  Harrods also has a nice Christmas shop on an upper floor as well as a section full of their in-house branded items.  Find the Egyptian Escalators to head upstairs. 

London does windows right.  They are fun and imaginative for the most part

Yummy Brownie with marzipan from Harrods.  They had so many festive goodies! 

Avoid the monstrosity in Hyde Park.  It's a tacky, fake German Christmas carnival with a tacky, fake German Christmas Market.  I went in during the day and had issues with the security.  They checked my purse thoroughly but when I asked if they wanted to check my Harrods bag, they declined.  It made no sense.  It's free to enter so if you must.... but, at night it's horribly crowded.  

Portobello Road Market on Saturday was shoulder to shoulder.  It's a fun place to find souvenirs and you can spot some exteriors from Notting Hill (the movie).  While you're there, grab some fish and chips from The Fish House of Notting Hill which isn't too far away.  It's the best we've had in London.  Or, if you're feeling up for pizza, grab a slice of Sicilian style pizza at Arancina almost next door to The Fish House on Pembridge Road  

When the was the last time you saw a proper Salvation Army Band?

Keep your eyes peeled - Christmas is EVERYWHERE!

Big Ben before they dressed him up in a scaffolding

Regent and Oxford Streets are where the action is at.  However, the closer you get to Christmas and on the weekends, it becomes a nightmare.  Although it's not a pedestrian street, it becomes a pedestrian street due to the sheer numbers of people.  We were literally forced to walk in the street at times.  It DID make me quite uncomfortable given the current terrorism tactics of using vehicles. 

These were animated.  The peacock feathers would spread out. 

Don't forgot to head to Carnaby Street just around the corner from these main roads.  They have fun decorations and great food.  Stop in at Kati Roll Company for some Indian Street Food or Mother Mash for some traditional British Pie and Mash.  Both are in that area.  

Seriously, go to Mother Mash for dinner.....  You choose your pie (or sausage) and then your mash (lots of varieties) and then your gravy.

Covent Garden is another glittering delight not to be missed

Score some hot chocolate at Hotel Chocolat in Convent Garden.  They literally scoop their own shaved chocolate into your cup before covering it with hot milk.  

Look for the quirky!  Brussell sprouts are a traditional British Christmas Dinner side dish.  I found them many places in many forms.  These are chocolate balls wrapped in Brussell Sprout printed foil.  They were fun for Christmas stockings!  I also have a felted Brussell Sprout ornament on my tree.  

If I had had room in my luggage, I would have owned the Pass the Pud game.  It's like "Hot Potato" only with a traditional English figgy pudding.  It burped if you were holding it at the wrong moment.  Who wouldn't want to play that????

Call me crazy, but I'm not sure I want a Wicked Uncle to give my kids Christmas presents.....  Sometimes Tube ads are good reading!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Exhibition Road near the museums does a lovely live Nativity on the weekend evenings in December.

Final tips and thoughts:  London will be cold and muggy this time of year. It might even rain on you so bring your umbrella.  The stores will be heated to about 75 degrees or more.  You will die if you are heat sensitive like me.  The tube (especially the Central Line which aspires to be in the tropics) will feel like 100 degrees no matter what time of the year.  You will get on in your winter gear and immediately sweat off 5 pounds.  Layers are your best friend.  There will be extremes in temperature - be prepared for that.  I always say that we could solve the world's climate issues if London just turned down the heat in December.  

But, it is NOT too late to plan your trip to see London at Christmas time!  If you need ideas, leave a comment.