Christmas in London: Liberty

It’s December 1 and the Christmas season has officially begun, even though London stores got a head start with Santas and snowflakes in October. Still, I’m the biggest sucker when it comes to all things festive, and when London’s streets turned on their twinkling lights recently, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Sure, it all smacks with commercialism and thinly veiled advertisements, but the display at Oxford Street Debenhams literally made me catch my breath (hmmm … or perhaps that was the particularly bracing air that night ):


And I’m a major of fan of the fabulous paper chain decorations on Carnaby Street:



My vote for the prettiest Christmas shop goes to Liberty, which is decked out as a magical winter wonderland. I almost cried when I walked in and glimpsed the canopy of fairy lights strung across the old timber beams (told ya I'm the biggest sucker). The snowy owls, squirrels and life-size deer decorations are a particular highlight (can you imagine walking out the door with one of those under your arm?).




The gift shop’s elaborate display of rainbow-coloured sweets, treats and chocolates stacked in tall jars on endless rows of tables is surely the stuff the sugar plum fairy’s dreams are made of. Just look at this chocolate cottage from Brighton chocolatier Choccy Woccy Doodah:


Liberty also has a beautiful collection of exclusive decorations for your tree this year:

Gisela Graham resin Scottie dog decoration, £3.25, from Liberty.

Gisela Graham pale silver glitter reindeer decoration, £2.95, from Liberty.

Gisela Graham iridescent crystal drop decoration, £3.95, from Liberty.

Liberty
www.liberty.co.uk

Regent Street
London
W1B 5AH
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 1234

Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday:12pm-6pm

Nearest tubes: Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus