Alternative Christmas Shopping Ideas in London
If you really want to show someone you’ve thought about them this Christmas, head to London’s independent shops for an alternative to toiletries or novelty socks. Whether you’re buying for the friend who has everything already, the relative who doesn’t know what they want or you want to surprise someone, we have London’s best alternative Christmas shopping ideas right here.
Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, Shoreditch
If you’re buying Christmas presents for children, the usual advice is to go to a toy shop. But we recommend the wonderful Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. Opened in 1818, this shop delights in the disgusting and gets frightfully festive at Christmas. Kids love it! You can get Christmas stockings pre-stuffed with sugar dusted bogies and petrified mice. There are mermaid egg bath bombs, teeth-crunching bah humbugs and lunar calendars (handy for witches). So enchant little monsters this Christmas and stock up from the monster shop.
Japan Centre, London
The Japan Centre Panton Street has a plethora of kitsch and quirky gifts, delicious Japanese food and plenty of animal-shaped goodies. There are panda biscuits, sushi cookbooks for beginners, coloured foil origami kits, lucky cat bento lunch boxes and elegant ceramic tea sets. There’s even a photo book of cat paws and Hello Kitty incense holders if you have cat fans on your Christmas list.
To Home From London, Camden
Tacky London souvenirs are everywhere in the capital, but the quality and choice is, to put it bluntly, pretty naff. Instead, head to Camden Market and visit To Home From London. Here, the fun and funky souvenirs in a cartoon style are cute and original. We like the dotty mugs with British slang phrases like “Cheers, mate.” Or you could buy black cab cushion covers, Mind the Gap eco tote bags and a colourful tube lines chopping board.
Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
This is a garden-lover’s paradise. If someone in your life is a fan of botanicals or can’t resist a succulent, Petersham Nurseries is the place to visit. The displays here go up a level during the festive season, so everything looks incredibly tempting. Along with plenty of flowers and plants ready to wrap up and take home as a gift, there’s a lifestyle section with gorgeous pots, candles, incense and Christmas gardening hampers. Take your time mooching then settle in by the wood burner in the Petersham Nurseries Café, a fantastic tearoom in a cosy greenhouse. Or elevate the experience by booking a table at Petersham Nurseries Restaurant, which is especially magical, with vines and bougainvillea framing your organic festive feast.
Mooch, Ealing
Still struggling to find the right gift? Mooch is a wonderful option for that hard-to-buy-for friend. There’s beautiful beaded jewellery, patterned scarfs, homeware gifts, cool London books and art prints, and, for kids, stylish toys and clothing. There’s a touch of elegance to this shop and a big enough range for you to tick through a fair few gifts. It could be a bit of a one-stop-shop this Christmas if you have a few people to buy for and you want thoughtful presents with a bit of personality.Another thoughtful Christmas suggestion is to stay with us at our festive heritage hotels The Clermont, Victoria or The Clermont, Charing Cross. We put you in the heart of London’s best Christmas shops, so make a mini break out of your festive shopping and stay with us.
