The essential guide to Christmas shopping in London

‘Tis the season to Christmas shop – to make your list, check it twice and scoop up the perfect presents for every single friend and relative who make the cut. However, if you’re lucky enough to call our glorious capital city home, then you might be suffering with the First World conundrum of too much choice when it comes to the number of shops, boutiques and markets on offer.

Fortunately for you, we’ve done the hard work of curating a guide to the best shopping sites in London for getting your key gift-buying duties done and dusted — all while enjoying some of the city’s most beautiful streets and arcades.

Shopping can be seriously thirsty work and, after a long afternoon of traipsing from store to store, even the most seasoned shopper might feel the urge to indulge in a congratulatory glass of something fizzy. Happily, the team at Nyetimber have fallen upon the perfect solution with a series of masterclasses available to book at their boutique in Burlington Arcade.

If you’re looking to choose the perfect sparkling gift for loved ones this Christmas, then make it worth your while with Nyetimber’s one-of-a-kind tasting classes taking place throughout November and December. Discover the rich history of the brand and its world-class sparkling wines — including the gold-medal winning Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, Rosé Multi-Vintage and Cuvee Chérie Multi-Vintage. Best of all? Your ticket price is redeemable against a case purchase in store — perfect for buying gifts you know they’ll love.

As a festive addition, Nyetimber is also holding wreath-making masterclasses with florist Charlotte Mcauley — and your green-fingered efforts will be yours to take home. Tickets available to buy here.

With Christmas around the corner, heritage shirtmaker Turnbull & Asser has partnered with a selection of luxury British brands and craftspeople to create a festive experience at its Davies Street location, with 10% profits going to the Crisis charity for homeless people.

Turnbull’s Davies Street location has been transformed into a destination for Christmas gifting, and will remain ready to welcome festive visitors until Christmas Eve — perfect for the gentleman who leaves things a little late. In addition to offering a different selection of products from its other stores, Davies Street will see six British brands and craftspeople collaborate to provide unique experiences in the run up to the big day.

Working with brands that share the same values, craftsmanship and pride in British manufacturing, Turnbull & Asser has partnered with London-based jeweller Alice Made This, coffee company Climpson & Sons, luxury leather goods manufacturer Ettinger, textile artist Jo Elbourne, London Undercover umbrellas and men’s barber Pankhurst. All of the featured brands have contributed to a luxury gift box which guests of the Turnbull & Friends Christmas Gift Shop will have the opportunity to win by entering a prize draw. Learn more here.

A little earlier this year, one of our all-time favourite brands, Ettinger, announced a major expansion of its retail partnership with Gieves & Hawkes with the opening of the ‘Ettinger Accessories Room’. The new location offers the most extensive choice of Ettinger accessories and bags in a London retail space (and yes, that includes our favourite Bakerloo Zipped Portfolio).

To celebrate the new room, there will be an Ettinger in-store ‘Personalisation Day’ on Friday 22nd November when customers can watch as complimentary initials – up to five in gold, silver or blind emboss – are added by an Ettinger specialist to any (flat) leather items purchased in the shop that day. Learn more here.

It would be remiss of us not to plug our own little soirée in this round-up — not least because it promises to be a fantastic evening. Join us from 5-8pm on 28 November 2019 as Chiltern Street closes for an evening of music, food, live performances and festive workshops. Free to enter, there will be entertainment taking place both in-store and on the street, including music from the Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir and Elite Drummers.

Elsewhere, brands including Moyses Steven, Casely-Hayford, Cox & Power and Dashing Tweeds, will be hosting a series of creative workshops. Come along and try your hand at wreath-making, jewellery making and a host of other traditional festive past times.

Members of the Gentleman’s Journal Clubhouse are also invited to an evening of delicious cocktails and canapés at Sunspel’s Chiltern Street boutique to coincide with the Christmas festivities. Not yet a member? Join here.

Looking for more Christmas gift guides? These are the presents she’s sure to love…

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Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.

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