This year I had a glimpse of how wonderful it is to celebrate Xmas in London. Thankfully the city and its shops started putting up the decorations quite early so that by the time we arrived in late November there was a definite Xmas atmosphere in the streets.
It took a while to get used to the daylight disappearing anytime between 4pm and 4.30pm but the festive lights helped create such a magic atmosphere that I looked forward to it!
Of course this little tease has made me want to return again at this time of the year to experience the Xmas markets both here and in Europe. Xmas in the southern hemisphere is so different!
Each night as we emerged from the dark depths of train travel at Sloane Square tube station, we were always greeted by the magic of the lights in the square.
On the other side of Sloane Square, fairy lights covered the exterior of the department store, Peter Jones.
The windows of Peter Jones were very innovative this year.Birds and animals decorated the windows, all created from home wares and the electrical department….
Just around the corner, Tiffany’s tempted anyone that looked into their fabulous doll’s house Xmas windows
Kings Road sparkled with all lights all along the street.
Oxford Street didn’t miss out either …it was Destination Christmas at Selfridges with each window showcasing a wish list item…..
Nicholas Haslam in Edbury Street, Pimlico had one of my favourite windows. A polar bear family seemed to be talking to each other as their heads moved. Father Xmas was seen in the corner whilst a family of penguins watched on.
Fortnum & Mason’s windows were at their traditional best…
Whilst inside, a touch of quirkiness appeared…
…along with the traditional tree.
London really does get you in the Christmas spirit!
From a hot Western Australia, best wishes to you and your family for a fabulous Christmas.
Where do you celebrate Christmas?Â
London looks very festive though I always think of NYC when I think of Christmas decorations.
It’s going to feel like -33C tonight – and it’s been snowing solidly all day so the outside is a winter wonderland. Fortunately it won’t be bitterly cold for more than a few days.
You’ve had some great travels in 2013. Where do you plan to go in 2014?
Merry Christmas.
Unfortunately we were just a bit early in New York to see the decorations but London was fabulous. Xmas in Australia just doesn’t have the same feel! I cannot imagine how cold -33C is. I’m sure it looks beautiful. Think of us in our +33C and over heat!!
2013 has been amazing year for us…we’re just discussing next years trip so I’m not sure but it will be back to Europe and probably Turkey again! Best wishes to you and your family for a great Xmas.
We will celebrate Christmas at home, in Ohio but I’ve always thought that it would be fun to visit NYC over Christmas. I’d love to see the window displays, the tree in Rockefeller Center and eat a canoli!
London looks beautiful and I love all the windows you shared- from the animals made with electronics to the traditional themes- I’m not sure which I prefer.
Have a great Christmas and New Year! Happy Travels!
New York would be great for Xmas. We were there for Halloween this year so missed the Xmas decorations which is why I was excited they were up in London. It certainly gives a very different Xmas atmosphere to ours here in Australia.
Best wishes for a great Xmas in Ohio.
Very beautiful…
Thanks Lili. best wishes for a great Xmas in Japan
Yayyy Christmas stuff! I’m like a little kid when it comes to Christmas lights and decorations. Lovely photos!
Oh, and Merry Christmas to you! 😉
-Maria Alexandra
You and me both Maria Alexandra. I loved being amongst the Christmas fun. It’s not quite the same in Australia!
Hope you’ve had a great Christmas.
What a lovely Christmas post! I would love to see London at Christmas and ‘do’ the Christmas Markets. Afraid my love of Christmas isn’t shared by the other half at TravelnWrite so will either need to go solo one day or get my tours through blogs like yours. This was just beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Jackie
I’ve just found this comment Jackie..I don’t know where it was hiding! It’s a shame your husband doesn’t share your love of Christmas..it’s such a fabulous time to be in a city like London. I’d love to visit the Christmas markets too!
Yesterday, I was telling someone that coming from North America, Malaysia seems too hot for it to be Christmas soon. I also wondered whether the Aussies felt that it was exactly like Christmas temperatures at home. Your photos of London are truly festive and make we want to visit during the holiday season. I especially like the windows at Peter Jones. That is very creative!
I think one of the main reasons I was so excited by the Christmas decorations in London is that we don’t have that feeling here in Australia, especially in Perth. I can’t wait to go back and experience a winter Christmas in ether London or New York!
Beautiful! I know several people in London for the holidays and now I’m even more jealous! NYC is always my top choice for the season, but I was in Washington DC this year and it was quite lovely.
New York would be fabulous for Christmas too Heather. Cold weather, snow, mulled wine, Christmas markets…anywhere would be great and completely different to Australia!
OHHH MY GOLLY GOSH. What amazing photos! I really hope to head to London this time next year and enjoy the sites.
(also I’d love for you to link up with me for #SundayTraveler, this weeks theme is ‘festive’ http://www.chasingthedonkey.com/sunday-traveler
Happy Christmas!
It was a fun place to be for the start of the festive season. We were a bit early for the Christmas markets so I hope I can join you there next year! Merry Xmas Sarah-Jane to you and your family.
I love London anytime of the year, but I bet I would especially love it when the city is dressed up in all its holiday finest!
It definitely was a great time to be there Jennifer…you should have stayed a little longer after WTM!!
We will be celebrating Christmas in the heat the same as you Jenny. My favourite London Christmas photographs are the quirkiness and the penguins. 🙂
A summer Christmas is so different isn’t it Jan! I think we have to experience a winter one at least once in our lives!
I’d brave the London cold to visit during the holidays just to see all these decorations. Beautiful images, Jenny. I love cities who go all out during the holidays. That Tiffany’s doll house is tempting me. Those window displays are awesome and so festive especially the animals. Merry Christmas!
It’s certainly worth braving the cold…especially the London cold which is tolerable! Tiffany’s is always tempting isn’t it but I did stay a bit longer in front of this window than usual! Merry Christmas to you and the family Mary.
Wow, what an excellent tour, thanks for showing us all those magnificent windows – what a treat!
Thanks Noel. it was very special being there at this time of the year. Best wishes for the festive season.
Oh how I miss London at Christmas – those lights, those windows, the atmosphere! You’ve taken some brilliant photos Jenny and it all looks so beautiful!
Thanks Jo. It really is a fabulous time to be there. You might have to go back for Christmas one year!
of wow so beautiful -it reminds me a bit of our city years ago when I was a child – one of these days I would like to see something like this and experience a white Christmas. I think they are predicting 30C here for Christmas!
Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.
I agree with you Jill..a white Christmas would be wonderful. Thanks for the reminder that as a child we thought the decorations here were fabulous…it’s something you often forget! Hope your having a fun festive season!
We have spent three Christmases in Germany and Austria but have never been to London during that time except at the airport. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Christmas in Germany and Austria would be fabulous too Karen. I’d love to go to the Christmas markets there.Best wishes to you and your family for a fabulous Christmas
Hi Jenny, I like how you captured the holiday spirit in London. It looks very festive indeed. You have to come back in New York during the Christmas season. It truly is magical.
I’d love to be in New York for Christmas Marisol. We took the girls there many years ago in early January and caught the end of the Christmas fun. Being there for Halloween and seeing the fall colours this year was fabulous…we should have stayed until Christmas!
I usually celebrate it at home in southern BC, Canada like I am this year. But I have celebrated it in Disneyland and Hawaii.
I’m happy to be home for the holidays despite the craziness at the mall and grocery stores.
But one day I would love to experience the holiday spirit in London or Paris!
Happy Holidays!
Coming from a summer Christmas, anywhere with snow, fires and mulled wine would be great! British Columbia must be like this despite the craziness which seems to happen everywhere! Hawaii must have been a different experience for you. I can imagine Disneyland would have been over the top! best wishes for a great festive season.
This is what I call Christmas. I’ll never regret sightseeing beautiful places like this. It’s totally a different Christmas atmosphere here in Australia.
I’m sure it was the contrast to Christmas in Australia which made me love being in London for at least a little part of the lead up to Christmas. I’d love to go back for the Christmas markets!
Johanna said that I would enjoy reading your post and she was certainly right. What amazingly special window displays. It reminds me of my childhood when there were more windows decorated with imaginative creativity. I’m glad to be sharing posts about Christmas lighting traditions.
Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year wherever you are but the spirit was well and truly alive in London. The windows and lights were fabulous! There’s something special about wandering the streets in the cold and seeing all the decorations! Thanks for visiting Neva and for your comments. Happy New Year