London is a fantastic place to go Christmas shopping, offering an array of great shops and markets catering to your every need and taste. However, while many people may associate the city with amazing opportunities for buying gifts, they may not know that its also possible to stock up on stunning Christmas decorations while staying in London.
Here’s our complete guide to the best places to find items to add some extra appeal to your living space this festive season.
Fortnum & Mason
Founded in the 18th century, Fortnum & Mason is a true treasure trove for Christmas enthusiasts. This store houses a wide range of festive delights from November onwards, with equally impressive window displays.
Specialising in delicious foodie treats, there’s also plenty of other items sure to make your Christmas extra special, such as advent calenders and distinctively traditional tree decorations. Its worth noting that Fortnum & Mason is so luxurious that it counts the British Royal Family amongst its patrons – so you know you’re shopping in good company while staying at the Montcalm luxury hotel London
Christmas by the River
This splendid Christmas market is another of our favourite places to find some incredible Christmas decorations – and here you’ll also be able to enjoy the views of the River Thames.
Christmas by the River includes around 60 chalets, and sells a range of stocking-fillers, gifts and plenty of Christmas decorations, many of which have been hand-crafted. If you like your decorations to be unique and one-of-a-kind, this could be the perfect place to shop.
In addition, the market has lots of ways to keep warm and cosy while you shop, including mulled wine stalls, hot chocolate and a range of snacks ideal for staying fuelled during your stay at 5 star hotels in London.
Harrods
Harrods is one of the department stores in London which offers a dedicated Christmas shop within, making it easy to find all the festive treats you’re seeking. Here you’ll be able to access a range of gifts which span everything from novelty items to classy fare like the classic Harrods bear with a Christmas twist.
When it comes to decorations, Harrods also offers these items in abundance – with some very ostentatious additions which can be added to both exterior and interior home décor, and more simplistic (yet no less effective) pieces like Christmas tree baubles. Every item has the stunning craftsmanship which has become a real Harrods hallmark, and gives visitors plenty to explore during their visit.
The added bonus of the Harrods Christmas shop is that you’ll be treated to festive tunes while you shop – not a bad way to get into the right frame of mind for tackling all your Christmas retail needs.
Harvey Nichols
Another luxurious department store in the city, Harvey Nichols is luxury Christmas shopping at its finest – with a specific emphasis on decorations for the home. You’ll find a vast array of items here including simple additions like glitter for your festive windows, and stunning handcrafted items sure to bring some high-fashion flair to interiors.
Elsewhere in store, you’ll also find additional Christmas essentials like gift wrap – making this a great place for anyone who likes to keep their festive experience on the upscale side!
Liberty London
Its hard to miss the Liberty building, with its distinctive black and white striped appearance and looming scale. Once you walk through the doors, you’ll be greeted by floor upon floor of festive fun, including a dedicated Christmas section which tends to appear as early as September each year. Simply follow the signs to find the right zone – and bask in the selection of Christmas decorations on display.
Many of them have a distinctively British or London-themed focus, so if you’re eager to pick up a few patriotic pieces or mementos of your London visit, then Liberty has much to recommend it. Decorations are also organised in an attractive and easy to understand way, so navigating this labyrinthine store feels a little more manageable.
This would be a great place to explore for a couple of hours before heading to one of the best Finsbury Square restaurants for a celebratory meal and an assessment of your latest purchases.
Selfridges
How could we forget about Selfridges, this mainstay of the London high street? The store is noted for its elaborate Christmas windows, which provide the ideal opportunity to unleash your inner photographer. The store also has a Christmas section each year, and seems to revel in the festive season in a way which few of its rivals can accomplish with quite so much flair and dedication.
Expect lots of Christmas signs, glittery additions and baubles – Selfridges is decidedly decadent, and certainly not the ideal place for anyone who prefers a more understated approach to seasonal decorating.
If you’re happy to keep things more elaborate, then we highly recommend a trip – and you’ll also find a lot of unusual stocking fillers at surprisingly affordable price points, as well as decorations and gifts with an edge. Even if you’ve already completed your shopping, we still recommend a trip here to revel in all things festive during your stay enjoying London hotel packages.
Paperchase
A popular chain which specialises in stationery and small gifts, Paperchase also has a great selection of Christmas decorations – each of which brings a creative new approach to decorating your home in the winter months.
You’ll find some really inventive, stunningly decorative pieces on offer here, many of which use vivid seasonal colours and interesting textures. It’s the ideal place to find things which will create a bespoke, artisan feel for Christmas. If you need to stock up on a few added extras during your trip, there’s also a fascinatingly offbeat range of gift wrap and gift tape, which will help complete your decorating.
Winter Wonderland Christmas Market
Another splendid Christmas Market in the heart of London, this one is also situated within Winter Wonderland. A major highlight of the festive calender, Winter Wonderland is packed full of rides, shows and of course, great Christmas shopping. Here you'll find plenty of stocking fillers and artisan-style decorations, which will make a big impact on the look and feel of your home. We recommend an early-evening browse, which is delightfully atmospheric when accompanied by a glass of warming mulled wine or some mince pies from the food stands you'll find here in abundance.
