Oohh we do love to lose ourselves in the magical romance of Christmas and where best to do so than a free mooch at some of London’s most amazing window and shop displays. If you are on a date and are up for a little ‘date nativity,’ practice your best ooh’s and ahh’s and head on over to these top five festive delights…
Remember to take a clever date selfie, your friends might think you’re in Narnia…
Santa’s Sleigh Installation, Covent Garden
In the heart of Covent Garden’s North-East Piazza is the man in red complete with nine reindeer and a sack of presents, made from a whopping 700,000 Lego bricks. Designer Duncan Titmarsh is one of just 13 full-time accredited Lego professional builders in the world and the sleigh is the first piece that he and his team have built that people are officially welcome to climb onto; you can sit on the sleigh beside Santa himself and take a pic! The installation is here until December 29. Afterwards, head to one of the many bars or restaurants nearby, or simply enjoy the buskers and entertainment in the Plaza.
From Rapunzel and The Golden Goose to Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, Selfridges Christmas window display takes inspiration from storytelling and evokes surreal scenes from 25 children’s storybook classics. The window’s theme is complemented by festive events and in-store treats. The entrance is a dazzling ‘Destination Christmas’ sign made from 1000 metres of neon lights and fairy-tale pictures. After admiring the view, head for a glass of fizz at the store’s champagne and oyster bar.
Trafalgar Square Christmas tree
Everyone loves a good Christmas tree and this one is particularly awesome. This year marks the 68th tree to come from the City of Oslo, a perennially popular occasion celebrating goodwill and friendship at Christmas. The tree is decorated in traditional Norwegian style with hundreds of twinkling lights. A programme of festive events runs every year, including free carol services. So check out the tree, belt out your favourite festive carols and then have a mulled wine at the Trafalgar Hotel, where you can enjoy the panoramic views from the bar.
This London shop has transformed its window using the theme, The Land of Make Believe, described as a ‘a contemporary take on tradition set against Scandinavian landscape of silver birch trees, ice blue skies and snowdrifts’. Eleven of the world’s best luxury designers have created pieces for the window, including Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Bottega Veneta and Zuhair Murad. The collections are surrounded by toys – from jack-in-the-box, to spinning tops and toy soldiers. Afterwards walk up to Burger & Lobster for some surf and turf or Buddha Bar for a drink.
There is nothing like the sparkle of Christmas lights to make you feel festive and Bond Street has been transformed with sprays of Peacock-inspired decorations. The display is dedicated to the young men of the late 1700s who became known as ‘Peacocks’ because they would promenade along the street in grand attire. Do some window-shopping or stop at one of the many hotels, bars or restaurants if you are in need of refreshments!
Do you love a good Christmas display?
Have you spied any others to add to our list? Tell us @lovestruck
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