5/10
Although originally established in the early 1900s by an American, Selfridges has come to be a symbol of 'the British department store' and so I had high expectations for it's Christmas set-up.
The 2014 lay-out is designed as a 'Christmas Emporium' and the store's decorations and gift ideas are all situated on the fourth floor together. To be honest, it lacks 'wow' factor and it feels like the emphasis has been placed on re-marketing their stock as 'Christmas gifts' and not on creating a specifically Christmas-themed shopping experience.
LIBERTY - Regent Street
9/10
In true Liberty fashion, their Christmas Shop is a refreshingly quirky take on the season's trends; here you can pick up a dainty decoration for a few pound or blow a couple of grand on a life-sized polar bear!
Because the store has an innately cosy, close-knit, homely feel to it, the time you spend in it is relaxed; I could happily browse the day away, nestled in the beamed rooms of Liberty. Perfect for an easy-going shop; especially if you're looking for unique decorations and pressies (- great to see the ever popular Gisela Graham decorations in-store: a reliable and reasonable favourite for Christmas-time!)
JOHN LEWIS - Oxford Street
8/10
The housewife's staple store, John Lewis was high on my list to check out, and they've got some lovely things in stock (including the adorable Monty the Penguin) and it's all beautifully laid out for customers to see, but it's frustratingly over-priced and it rather takes the shine off the products. If you've got the cash to splash, or if you've got little ones who'd like their picture taken with Monty, it's worth a visit; if not, you're better off somewhere else.
THE CHRISTMAS SHOP - Tooley Street
10/10
This shop was recommended to my partner and I by a friend, and we went along, with some trepidation; we were sure that it'd be lovely, but very pricey; to our delight, it wasn't: The Christmas Shop is a little bundle of joy, hidden away in the Hay's Galleria, near London Bridge; the stock is good quality and they keep prices low; we picked up two large fireplaces stockings, two Victorian decorations and a gold tree-top star for £12 - that'd buy you a packet of ribbon in John Lewis. The staff are ultra friendly and the whole experience feels akin to that of visiting a Santa's grotto. I'd heartily recommend it: great stock, great prices, great central location; great service.
HARRODS - Brompton Road
8/10
Another 'quintessentially British' store, but one has lost that vibe somewhere along the way. Harrods have opted for a very chic Christmas shop, with a collection of trees dressed in varying styles: a mood-board selection to tempt the customer; there really is something for everyone. However, here, the things that caught my eye were the Scandinavian-style decorations that would fit in with our rustic Christmas home and the miniature cat/dog tree decorations that would fit in with my pet obsession!
More than the goods on sale, the best aspect of the Harrods Christmas shop is the customer service, the staff here seem to go above and beyond; we were served by Mark, who took us round the shop, answering our every question and pandering to our every whim.
In conclusion, don't be tempted to blow every penny you have in the biggest stores, shop around; there are some gorgeous Christmassy bits and bobs out there if you are prepared to look for them - we found easy-to-bulk-out Christmas wreaths, pretty napkins, gold bean chaining and candy canes in Poundland and you'd never guess they were a pound a piece; similarly, Butlers, Tiger, Paperchase, Tesco and Sainsburys all have decorations and gift ideas in-store and on-line, so enjoy hunting!
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