Now we have reached December I have been granted full Christmas excitement in the office, much to the disgust of many! I am still working on the Christmas song background music, but we shall get there, bah humbug!
However one of my most favourite things to at this time of the year is to visit the Christmas markets, you can really absorb the Christmas feel and get into the festivities. This may be something you want to skip if you relate to Ebenezer Scrooge, in contrast if you are like me and you are much like Buddy the Elf then this is perfect to get your early Christmas fix.
My personal favourite is Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland. It returns again and turns a small piece of London into a shrine in honour of Christmas, there are more than 200 fairy light-lit chalets along with beautiful food and drinks and exhilarating rides. The market has jewellery, clothing, crafts and other traditional Christmas decorations. This market is free so you can enter without paying mak-ing sure that you can have that extra hot chocolate! The market is open from 20th November until the 3rd January.
Handmade in Britain is back again this time for Christmas in Chelsea, this fair is held in the and is host to contemporary crafts and design items. It is held over three days and showcases high-end design and craftsmanship from highly skilled UK based designers and makers. There is everything from glass to ceramics, Alison Stockmarr is participating in the market and creates unique and beautiful pieces from paper. Jen Ricketts works with metal, my favourite pieces take inspiration from landscapes to me what makes them so striking is the fact that they are hand cut! Truly amazing! Entry to the event is £10 on the door, however if you pre-book the price is £8. Dates; 13-15 November.
Southbank Centre, they hold some pretty amazing events throughout the year and this is defiantly one of them! The Southbank turns into a mini Christmas village, with wooden chalets lining the edge of the river. There is festive food, drinks accompanied by handmade crafts and gifts. W hat I love about the South-bank market is the atmosphere, you can just wander around with a Christmas drink and browse the stalls you are transported into another world when you are in the market. This is free entry and runs from 20th November until the 24th December
.Operation Smile holds a fundraising Best of British Christmas market held at the historic Fulham Palace near Putney Bridge Tube Station. There is a range of British made presents, festive decorations, luxury clothing, and not forgetting gourmet food and drinks. You can attend the preview night on the 18th November however this is £20, but you can go to the normal opening on the 19th November for just £5.
These are just a few of the Christmas fairs in London, soon you can join like-minded Christmas lovers at the markets! You have to attend at least one market at Christmas, it is 100% part of the Christmas lovers rule book. Have fun 
