Christmas weather

We don’t know what the weather will be like.

There’s always this stuff about taking bets there will be a white Christmas, which used to mean at least one flake on some roof somewhere.

It’s unlikely. We have a proper white Xmas maybe once every 10 to 15 years, perhaps longer in London where it’s a city and is generally warmer.

Usually it’s grey and cold and probably wet. If you eat too much and want a walk, wrap up well.

Christmas decorations

As Xmas approaches, some shops and areas will make an effort to decorate their world.

The shop windows of the larger stores like Selfridge’s were famous for their displays. Lights go up on Oxford Street, Regent Street. The Strand and many other places too. Mostly they are adverts for films, tv channels or shops.

Covent Garden still has a tree. You may be lucky and catch a carol concert there one evening. Do donate, for charity.

Christmas fayres

Many cities and possibly towns too have Xmas markets or fayres. These are places you can buy sweet and unhealthy food, trinkets and baubles and drink hot wine.

London has several. There’s usually one in Leicester Square, from the beginning of December into early January. We have seen more stalls outside the National Gallery. There are big things, Winter Wonderland, in Hyde Park. We even seem to remember something outside the Natural History Museum once.

Other places, like Covent Garden and Battersea Power Station have special stalls and all the usual stuff available.

Some of these may require admission tickets, purchased in advance, but many will not.