Christmas in London is not what you might call, ummm "relaxing" but it is an experience... the main shopping streets such as Oxford Steet and Regent street are lit, and most of the big stores have window displays - Selfridges, Hamleys, Harrods to name just three.

It does get busy and hectic - so if you actually want to buy something then its best to get it out of the way on a weekday and in the morning. December 24th is the special day given over to those who have still not decided what they need to buy, let alone made the search for it (you can tell who we are because we are all male with a haunted, harrassed and fearful look on our faces...!).

Obviously at this time of year the days are quite short and the streets are quite wet, but if you are visiting rather than hurriedly shopping then you can slow down and watch the world on their way with a bag of hot chestnuts from one of the numerous street sellers. The pubs and clubs are also welcoming and busy (full of people celebrating while putting off their Xmas shopping!) This is also pantomime season with numerous traditional/family shows, often featuring actors and actresses well-known on film and UK TV, and carol services both in churches and outdoors.

I may be biased, but I think we probably do Christmas better than our continental neighbours - or if not better then at least we do it in a more traditional kind of way. There is some industrial unrest here - firefighters and tube workers striking periodically (Hey! I said it was traditional, right?!), and we face the same risks as all the other big cities in the western world...

Here's some pics and links....


<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/yourlondon/christmas_2002.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/yourlondon/christmas_2002.shtml</A>
<a href="http://www.londontown.com/London/Christmas_In_London/" target="_blank">http://www.londontown.com/London/Christmas_In_London/</A>