Preparing for Christmas in St. John’s Wood
Tue 03 Dec 2019
Paul Bennett, Director
December is upon us and it’s time to get into the festive spirit. With fairy lights twinkling along St. John’s Wood High Street, NW8 is ready for the big holiday but are you? If you’d like to support local events and businesses, we’ve put together a handy St. John’s Wood Christmas guide.
Where to.....
Buy the perfect turkey: Kent & Sons, set along St. John’s Wood High Street, is an award-winning butcher who has been in business for a century this year. The shop is now taking orders for Christmas meats, including traditional free range turkey, goose, duck, lamb and beef, as well as game birds including pheasant, partridge and guinea fowl.
Entertain babies and toddlers: Bach to Baby Christmas Family Concerts takes place at St. Mark’s Church until 24th December. Babies, toddlers, parents, grandparents and carers are invited along to enjoy a number of special Christmas concerts crammed full of music from different periods and places, along with festive tales and sing-a-long carols – all delivered with a sprinkling of sleigh bells.
Give thanks and pray: Christmas at St. John’s Wood Church offers a festive season of music and traditional services. The Festival of Nine Lessons, with carols, mince pies and mulled wine, takes place on 15th December, while Christmas Eve sees the return of the popular crib service for children. Don’t forget, there is midnight mass for night owls and two services on Christmas Day.
Buy the perfect poinsettia: the distinctive red and green foliage of this Mexican plant has become a Christmas staple in the UK. There are a number of places in St. John’s Wood to buy poinsettias, along with festive wreaths, garlands and flower arrangements to adorn your home this Christmas. Try the Flower Station or Dansk Flowers.
Get in to the Christmas spirit....literally: As well as a delicious menu of seasonal dishes, The Ivy in St. John’s Wood has come up trumps with a number of Christmas-themed drinks. There’s mulled cider with cinnamon, sugar and a chocolate bitters twist, a roast chestnut julep, a winter bellini and a rich gingerbread latte for those abstaining.
Grab last minute presents: St. John’s Wood High Street is the place to head, even if you’ve left present buying until Christmas Eve! Try Me+Em, Spirited Wines, Tara Jarmon, Space NK, Chinti & Parker, Igloo Kids, Zadig et Voltaire and Leonidas Chocolate for a dazzling array of clothes and gifts. If you start flagging under the weight of shopping bags, refuel at Gail’s Bakery, Panzer’s or the Good Life Eatery.
Christmas in St. John’s Wood is a wonderful time of year and if your shopping list includes a new home, contact Behr & Butchoff for buying, selling, renting and investing advice.