December at a glance
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 in Cecil Court, WC2, specialises in rare children’s literature, including signed first editions of the early ‘Harry Potter’ novels (). For smaller trinkets–such as Bridie Hall’s alphabet pen pots (£40) and Vaisselle’s gingham dinner plates (£55)–head to W1, a 15-minute walk away (). Keep some space free in your bag for a bunch of decorative blooms from the flower stall, next to Liberty’s Great Marlborough Street entrance. Nearby, you’ll find Sherwood Street, W1, and (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 (; ). No Christmas shopping list would be complete without some sweet treats. delicatessen, Brewer Street, W1, sells London’s best cannolis. For something a little more traditional, make for the food hall (). Choose between Christmas coal (chocolate-dipped 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 advent-calendar refill pack, so that, when Christmas comes around again next year, you’ll finally be ready.
