by Lucie Bright
Ring out those jingle bells, because Christmas is coming, and whether you love it or merely tolerate it, there’s definitely no escaping it in London during December. We’ve rounded up five of our favourite local Christmassy traditions:
1. Panto
Oh, no, they didn’t . . . oh, yes, they did. Pantomime season approaches, and we’ve got a couple of cracking ones right on our doorstep. Firstly, there’s the Lyric Hammersmith, who always put on a fresh, feisty and very funny show that all the family are sure to love. This year it’s Dick Whittington and his Cat, suitable for ages six and over. As if that weren’t enough, Richmond Theatre have called in patron Jerry Hall to play the wicked witch in their production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (see our complete list of west London pantos here). Tickets, please!
2. The holly and the ivy
And the tree, and the mistletoe, and all the other evergreen: people have been bringing greenery into their homes and using it as part of their winter celebrations for thousands of years—it’s been said to symbolise everlasting life and ward off evil spirits. For your displays, Wheelers in Turnham Green, the W6 Garden Centre at Ravenscourt Park, Turners in Hammersmith, Clifton Nurseries in Little Venice and Chelsea’s Worlds End are all sure to be stocking seasonal flowers and greenery to ‘spruce’ up your home this winter.
3. Mince pies
They were originally filled with (real) meat, and were oval in shape, apparently designed to represent the baby Jesus in his manger—and yes, it’s true that Oliver Cromwell made it illegal to eat them on Christmas. These days they’re round and made with mincemeat (which, if you’re making it yourself, should only ever be stirred clockwise to avoid bad luck). Have a go at baking your own this year: Nigella, Delia and the BBC Good Food site have recipes. According to an ancient custom, if you eat a mince pie every day between Christmas and Twelfth Night, you’ll be happy for the next twelve months. That’s a tradition we can get behind.
4. Christmas crackers
The first cracker was pulled here in London in 1847 after confectioner Tom Smith invented ‘cosaques’, containing a surprise gift and a little message. These days you can find crackers to suit all tastes and budgets. At the top end, Harrods sells six crackers for £500, the Cracker Boutique lets you choose bespoke gifts and designs, and the Conran shop has a stylish range. Or, like most of us, you could simply chuck some into your trolley when you’re doing that mad pre-Christmas supermarket sweep, and hope for the best.
5. A traditional family outing
Hats, scarves and gloves at the ready, because it’s the perfect time of year for a family outing. There’s so much to see and do, and making your trip an annual ritual makes it even more fun and gives the whole family something to look forward to. Depending on how old your brood are, you could take them ice skating at Westfield, the National History Museum, or Somerset House, or into town to see the lights at Bond Street, Oxford Street or Regent Street (you can see the lights go on at Trafalgar Square on Thursday or in Kew on Friday—check out our west London Christmas lights roundup). You could go for an enchanting evening walk around Syon’s Enchanted Woodland (this is the last weekend!), Christmas at Kew, or the new light show at Hampton Court. You could head to a Christmas market (see our guide here), or, if you’re feeling really brave, to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Whatever you do, don’t forget the hot chocolate and mulled wine stop afterwards. Merry Christmas!
About the Author:
Lucie is a native west Londoner who lives near Shepherds Bush. She’s a copywriter and would-be novelist with two children, a son and a daughter. When she’s not washing uniforms or forgetting to pay for school lunches, she loves to read books, walk in the park and hang out at charity shops and car boot sales. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.
