With only days left to Christmas next week, malls and the high street are set to be no-go zones with last-minute shoppers and wayward Santas squeezing in last-minute rush for Christmas presents. Why not head somewhere different and visit London's famed Christmas Markets instead? You’re bound to find much more unique gift options and could potentially avoid crazed crowds! From riverside charm to festive OTT, there’s a market bound to impress even the fussiest festive shopper amongst us. With most operating till Christmas Eve, this weekend is your last chance for Christmas shopping with a twist.
Southbank Centre Christmas Market features 80 traditionally decorated wooden chalets selling gorgeous unique ranges of hand-crafted gifts as well as food and drink so from mulled wine to hot chocolate and ginger bread men and mince pies and don’t forget about the german style treats including Glühwein and bratwurst. There’s no doubt this gorgeous riverside market will most definitely have you in the Christmas spirit. The relaxed vibe and somewhat smaller crowds should mean your shopping will be done in no time. If you don’t want you experience to end there, check out the Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival where can enjoy a Christmas show or two, free music and events before heading on home to wrap up your new buys.
Looking for a much more OTT experience, check out Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Yes, that’s right, there’s more to the winterland extraordinaire than fairground rides and the ever popular ice rink. The not so inconspicuous 200 wooden chalets offer a wide range of gift ideas, from stocking fillers to pre-Christmas gifts (as we all know that one person that can’t wait till Christmas morning), they have it all. Check out the decorations, nativity scenes, wooden toys and ceramics – oh and let’s not forget about the festive treats – an absolute must at every market.
Crafty Fox Christmas Markets, I think the name says it all! Christmas shopping gets crafty at these seasonal markets in Brixton (Dec 7-8) and Peckham (Dec 14) featuring new designers. If you love or know someone who loves quirky, unique pieces of art, be it jewellery, homeware or illustrations, you’re bound to find something at one of these crafty markets. And while you’re there, enjoy tea and cake in the pop-up tea room while getting creative (hands on) at a range of workshops from gift wrapping to creating your own personalised gifts – just to add that little special touch!
Heading off the high street, desperately looking for that one last gift, check out Soho’s iconic Berwick Street which will be transformed this season to create the first ever Berwick Street Christmas Market, now you know you’re most likely going to find some amazing gem, totally hip and cool for that fussy friend of yours. Boasting a number of new unique traders, the already vibrant and diverse market will see the arrival of new seasonal fresh produce, gifts, crafts and fashion. Experience the new concepts, unique shopping and dining experiences that the one-off independent brands are bringing to Berwick Street’s Christmas Market.
Looking for something exudes extravagance and uniqueness but can’t find it on the high street? You might want to check out the Barbican Design Market. It’s the perfect place to pick up an unusual Christmas gift or two, with works from small scale designers, makers and artisans there are some genuine treasures to be found. So get your wallet ready as you’re bound to be enticed into spending a lot on jewellery, homeware, decorations etc. you name it, they’ll have it, and you may just want to buy them all.
You'll want to check out Room Suggestion before you leave for your shopping escapades, so once you've shopped till you drop and have soaked in all of London's Christmas spirit you have a place to relax and recuperate.
