December at a glance
We’re all guilty of ignoring what’s on our doorstep, so we’ve made it easier for you. Here’s what’s happening this month
HOW many times have you uttered the words ‘I cannot believe it’s nearly Christmas again’ in the past week? We’re guessing quite a lot, so for those of you taken by surprise once again, here’s how to get through it in style. Let’s start with presents: you cannot go wrong with a book and Marchpane, in Cecil Court, WC2, specialises in rare children’s literature, including signed first editions of the early ‘Harry Potter’ novels (www.cecilcourt.co.uk/ marchpane). For smaller trinkets–such as Bridie Hall’s alphabet pen pots (£40) and Vaisselle’s gingham dinner plates (£55)–head to Liberty London, W1, a 15-minute walk away (www.libertylondon.com). Keep some space free in your bag for a bunch of decorative blooms from the Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart flower stall, next to Liberty’s Great Marlborough Street entrance. Nearby, you’ll find Brasserie Zédel, Sherwood Street, W1, and Ralph’s Coffee (a pop-up coffee shop on the ground floor of Ralph Lauren’s New Bond Street flagship store)–perfect for lunch or a quick caffeine hit respectively (www.brasseriezedel.com; www.ralphlauren. com). No Christmas shopping list would be complete without some sweet treats. Lina Stores delicatessen, Brewer Street, W1, sells London’s best cannolis. For something a little more traditional, make for the Fortnum & Mason food hall (w w w.fortnumandmason.com). Choose between Christmas coal (chocolatedipped honeycomb), glacé fruits (they’re excellent diced and scattered on a pavlova) and mini marzipan Christmas puddings. You can even buy a Fortnum’s chocolate adventcalendar refill pack, so that, when Christmas comes around again next year, you’ll finally be ready.