Words About Things

Spending Christmas in London is always memorable, with events and attractions springing up all across the city. From swimming in the Serpentine to the world’s most famous Christmas tree, London has plenty to offer those seeking festive fun in 2010!

South Bank German Christmas Market

Enjoy those seasonal culinary specialties – Bratwurst Sausage and gingerbread hearts, washed down with a large glass of Glühwein (German Mulled Wine) at the annual German Christmas Market. Of course there’s plenty of opportunity for shopping too. Take a wander amongst the traditional wooden chalets to find a wide variety of unique hand-crafted gifts and unusual Christmas presents!

Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree

Don’t miss the famous tree lighting ceremony, held on Thursday 3rd December. Each year since 1947, the people of Norway have clubbed together and sent the people of Britain a giant spruce tree in gratitude for our help in the Second World War. The tree takes pride of place until the twelfth night of Christmas, when it’s quietly taken down and shredded for New Year compost.

Hyde Park Ice Skating

No, it’s not because they forget to grit the footpaths – Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland will once again feature London’s biggest outdoor ice-rink. The rink is open from 10am to 10pm daily. Skaters are advised to book their preferred time slot in advance, as sessions always sell out quickly!

Covent Garden Royal Opera House

The Royal Ballet’s Christmas Season is a longstanding tradition, with a great programme of shows including Cinderella and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Meanwhile, the Royal Opera present Hansel and Gretel. If you wait for New Year, you’ll find quite a contrast. Anna Nicole Smith the Opera opens in February!

Greenwich Park 5K Santa Run

The Greenwich Park 5K Santa Run is held on Sunday 6th December and includes a free Santa suit for each participant. 2,000 Santa’s are expected to take part and no previous athletics experience is necessary! If you’re still feeling energetic by Christmas Day, traditional morning swimming is again taking place in Hyde Park’s welcoming Serpentine Lake.

Guest post by Ben Piper of UK Tickets.

Everyone knows that Christmas is a very important time in retail especially after a difficult year.  This Christmas may be make or break for several retailers who have struggled during the recession. Many are hoping that increased consumer confidence will result in a bigger spend this year than in 2008 when £43.9bn was spent.

Unlike last year retailers are feeling ‘cautiously optimistic’ that this Christmas will bolster their profits. Marks and Spencer have reported better than predicted profits over the last 6 months. They saw improvements in clothing and food sales are are hoping for good sales of historically popular items such as Christmas hampers and other gifts.

“We have had a good start to the third quarter. The market remains competitive and we remain cautious about the outlook for Christmas and the year ahead.” – Executive Chairman Stuart Rose

Online retailers have recently been hit by the Royal Mail strike with 2/3 reporting a 30% fall in revenue despite most offering alternate delivery methods. Two thirds of E-tailers are considering giving up on the Royal Mail for good after the strike has ended. Considering that other delivery companies seem to be more reliable and just as efficient this isn’t a surprise. This could be the beginning of the end for the Royal Mail.

When Ricky Gervais invented Flanimals he had no idea that one day they would be doing their bit to save the world. Gervais invented the characters 25 years ago to make his nephew laugh. Since then Blimble Sprent, Plumboid Doppler, Sprot Guzzlor and the rest have become the stars of bestselling books and a forthcoming movie. Now they are doing their bit to help the victims of HIV/AIDS by appearing on a series of charity Christmas cards.

The cards are part of a series of charity gifts being sold this Christmas by Oxfam as part of their Oxfam Unwrapped campaign. The money raised will go towards helping to prevent the spread of AIDS in developing countries.

“Everyone thought Flanimals were useless – I did. But this year they’re helping Oxfam change the world. There are five Flanimal gifts to choose from and the money goes to different things. It might improve sanitation – give someone clean water. It might give people a voice if they’re oppressed. It might help general humanitarian work work or it might go towards the prevention of HIV and Aids.”

Oxfam also sell less traditional gifts such as clean drinking water or a goat to help families in developing countries. More info can be found on their site here.