GLAD TIDINGS
The events, shows and dining experiences coming to the capital this Advent
PAS DE DEUX
Relive the classic story of The Nutcracker once more this Christmas, set to the beguiling score composed by Tchaikovsky and magical set designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman. Since 1984, Peter Wright’s production has captured the imagination of generations. This year’s enchanting production is sponsored by jewellers Van Cleef & Arpels. Book tickets now. rbo.org.uk
SKY-HIGH APRES-SKI
Feast Off-Piste comes to The Berkeley hotel with a pop-up treat for all, from hotel guests to diners with bookings. Enjoy wintry views of Hyde Park and far beyond on the Knightsbridge rooftop as you sample a winter warming menu of traditional Swiss raclette, milk chocolate fondue and gingerbread. Book now. the-berkeley.com
ART FOR THE AGES
Presented by the Saatchi Gallery on Duke of York Square, The Long Now exhibition celebrates four decades of contemporary art with established and new artists shown side by side. Across two floors of the gallery, find works by Chris Levine (pictured ), Alice Anderson and Gavin Turk, among others. The showcase is open now. saatchigallery.com
Bah! Humbug!
The Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol returns with the actor Paul Hilton (Slow Horses, below) as Ebenezer Scrooge. Adapted by Jack Thorne, the immersive production is a festive favourite that continues to delight theatregoers. On now. oldvictheatre.com
We woof you a
merry Christmas
Tails & Tidings Christmas Carol Concert is London's only dog-friendly service. Returning to St Andrew's Chelsea (Park Walk), the concert raises funds for the Wild at Heart Foundation, started by florist Nikki Tibbles to support canine friends in need. £30 per person, 5 December. tickettailor.com/events/ wildatheartfoundation
GETTING CLAUS
Santa Claus is coming to town, specifically The Peninsula. He and his helpers will bring festive cheer across the hotel.
Festive afternoon teas have a kid-friendly option, while Canton Blue o ers a Winter Solstice menu of Cantonese cuisine, and a Christmas menu is available on Christmas Eve and the big day itself. peninsula.com
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Glide at Battersea Power Station is back and better than ever. Whether new to the ice or pro, take in the riverside scenery of one of London's most iconic destinations. For those who just want to chill, you can dine in one of Glide's igloos or indulge in mulled wine and other treats at the Glass House. Open for booking now. glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk
YULE LOVE IT
This festive season at the historic Great Scotland Yard hotel, Westminster, celebrate the season in style with its Festive Afternoon Tea. In the hotel's decadent parlour, you'll find a tower of delight with savoury morsels, such as wild mushroom and rocket quiche, turkey with celeriac remoulade and cranberry, and sweet offerings including Christmas trees and bespoke chocolate délices hyatt.com
SCINTILLATING
Clockwise from top left: 18kt gold star chain, €27,000, marialichtenberg.com; 14kt gold ring set with rainbow sapphires, $7,020, jacquieaiche. com; 18kt yellow-gold and blackened white-gold diamond hoop earrings, £15,000, jessicamccormack.com; 9kt gold necklace set with rubies, black spinels, malachite and lapis, £4,200, metierby tomfoolery.co.uk ; 14kt gold chain set with a diamond, £2,933 ashleyzhangjewelry.com; 18kt gold and diamond initial charm, £2,500, cecejewellery.com
Brooksbank, known for her unique rings.
“I think customers are very interested in shape and moving away from the standard classics. I think they make the wearer feel powerful and they feel a bit less obviously antique-inspired in comparison to say, a target or cluster ring.”
Often set with brightly hued gems, a bombé ring makes a great gift for a friend, romantic partner – or perhaps evenfor yourself.
BLACK, GOLD & DIAMONDS
There’s a new trio in town, and it’s pretty unbeatable. The combination comprises black, gold and diamonds (or another white gemstone), and has been seen recently at Jessica McCormack, Jessie Thomas and Cece Jewellery. The colour, often created by black rhodium or blackened metal, creates a striking contrast when paired with yellow gold and white gemstones, highlighting the negative space around the setting.
“It feels perfect for this moodier, darker season,” says Laura Vann, a Birminghambased jeweller who has incorporated the trio extensively into her AW25 collection, Form.
“As a studio long-inspired by Art Deco design, we’ve embraced black as a grounding, expressive element – it featured heavily in that era and feels as relevant now,” she continues. “It feels both statement-making and e ortless – it’s the new neutral for the season.”
lapis and ruby, to name just a few.
The collection is “inspired by the everchanging colours of the sky,” says Kay. “My background in photography has always drawn me to the way light shifts throughout the day; the subtle gradients, reflections, and fades that transform the sky from one hue to another.” To achieve this she carefully chooses each slice of semi-precious stone, to “capture that fluid transition of colour and light.”
Another designer who has always embraced colour, and is known for her unique, divinely hued stones, is Kiki McDonough. “There’s something truly special about working with one-of-a-kind gemstones,” she says. “Each stone has its own story.”
McDonough celebrates 40 years in business this year, proving that, although they might be growing in popularity, coloured gems can also be a pretty timeless choice.
CHAINS
Forget the charm, locket, or pendant; chains have become a conversation piece in themselves. On the SS26 catwalks, Chanel, Balmain, Etro and Tory Burch either layered interwoven strands, or blew up their chains to make statement collars. In the high jewellery collections, Pomellato took inspiration from its 1970s archive, when its founder Pino Rabolini fi rst elevated the functional chain to the height of glamour.
COLOURED GEMS
Forget a diamond solitaire: the freshest way to wear sparkling gemstones this season is to go bright, bold and unique. The trend reflects a wider movement in jewellery towards designs that have more individuality, and feature more unusual, colourful stones – the global coloured-gemstone industry is predicted to double by 2035, growing to about $5.7bn.
Jewellery designer Marie Lichtenberg is known for her signature chains, some humorous, some poignant, some simply beautiful. There are rows of dollar signs, words spelling out ‘love you to the moon and back ’, and chains of striking stars.
One designer who has leant into the joy of colour is Laura Kay, whose label, Métier, has just launched a series of rainbow-bright necklaces, earrings and rings. They are made from carefully selected hand-cut gemstones: kyanite, moonstone, malachite,
“Chains are everything,” she explains. “They connect, they anchor, they empower. I love taking something ancient and giving it a bold, modern twist–full of soul, full of story. It’s a dialogue between past and present.”
And there’s absolutely “no rulebook” when it comes to wearing them well, according to Lichtenberg. “Wear it solo like armour, or stack it loud like a love declaration. It should feel like a second skin – intimate, powerful, unapologetically you.” L
These elegant timepieces take inspiration from the 20th century’s golden design decades – resulting in truly timeless styles proven to stand the test of time
1920s
Tissot SRV 30mm watch, £370. tissotwatches.com
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier 18kt yellow gold watch, £12,600. cartier.com
1930s Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Enamel Xu BeihongThe Running Horse watch, £POA. jaeger-lecoultre.com
1950s
Longines Conquest Heritage stainless steel watch, £2,700. longines.com
1970s
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5, £POA. audemarspiguet.com
Festive treats
BAKING MERRY PANETTONE FROM IL GATTOPARDO
GATTOPARDO.RESTAURANT
Clockwise from top right: Noël Impérial tea, £28, mariagefreres.com; A Good Old-Fashioned Christmas Whisky 2009, £79.95, thewhiskyexchange. com; Bonifanti panettone, £29.50, onlineshop.petershamnurseries.com; Organic stollen bites, £9.95, daylesford.com ; Christmas cracker gift set with milk chocolate & milk sea salt caramel truffl es, £28, charbonnel.co.uk ; Christmas Coal cinder toffee, £15.95, fortnumandmason.com; Traditional Mead (20cl), £16, shop.shakespearesglobe.com; Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Second Skin 2010 extra-brut champagne, £280, selfridges.com; dark chocolate & mint butter bites, £8.99, the-ivy-shop.com; mulled wine, £20, ottolenghi.co.uk; Christmas tree truffl e box, £15.90, marcolini.co.uk
CHRISTMAS CHEERS
Opposite: London-based partyplanning agency Lettice Events is able to turn your grandest Christmas party aspirations into a reality with luxury catering and events logistics
Be our guest
WELCOMING VISITORS TO STAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS OR THROWING A WINTER SOIR É E? TALLULAH RUSHAYA ASKS THE PROFESSIONALS FOR TIPS ON HOW TO BE THE HOST WITH THE MOST AT THIS JOYFUL TIME OF YEAR
One of the joys of Christmas is bringing loved ones together in your own home. Once the annual debate of who is hosting this year’s festive gathering has been settled, leave the ins and outs of planning and delivery to the experts. Welcome visitors into a warm home full of personalised flourishes that will make this Christmas even better than the last.
CHRISTMAS PREP
Preparations start with a tidy home for minimum stress, with trustworthy staff that can be relied on, according to specialist household staff recruitment agency, Marshall Harber (marshallharber.com). While committed to excellence all year round, Christmas is a highlight for the agency, with some of its recruited staff having worked for the same family for years. “We vet candidates rigorously for skills in deep cleaning, attention to detail, and creative finishing touches, ensuring they can handle everything from arranging bespoke guest amenities to managing event setups seamlessly,” says Jo Harber, founder of Marshall Harber, who are also able to procure live-in staff.
Senior housekeeper Aneta, who recommends starting with large traffic areas, already thinks ahead to the “post-Christmas recovery ” while in preparation mode.
“During initial cleaning, I stock a ‘reset kit’ with storage bins for decorations and quick-wipe cloths,” she says. For Aneta, family inclusion ramps up the yuletide excitement. Assigning light tasks for the children, such as polishing
ornaments, after Aneta has deep cleaned the display shelves can turn prep into a bonding ritual, rather than a solo chore. An integral part of the London family, pets are also part of the celebrations. “Deep clean pet areas early – vacuum fur from upholstery and use enzyme cleaners on spots,” advises Aneta, who’s able to create designated pet zones, with beds and toys away from guest spaces. She finds adding festive bandanas or treats for pets brings a sense of harmony to the household.
Also going above and beyond for clients, concierge service 48 London is equipped to handle all Christmas dilemmas. “We take care of our clients’ every request and need, no matter how large or small or how last-minute,” assures Hope Dowlen, co-founder of 48 London (48london. com). For its clients, preparing the home before decorations go up is especially important. From transforming homes and takedowns to finding and professionally wrapping gifts, nothing ’s beyond its capabilities. For families planning a winter getaway after hosting duties, 48 London can also help with holiday prep, even flying cases out to be unpacked and steamed ahead of arrival.
SETTING THE TABLE
No Christmas is complete without a beautiful table. While staircases and mantles are adorned with reds, greens or any other preferred winter colour, the table is the hive of activity. Offering event design and styling, LAY London has brought residential tablescapes to life,
ON THE MARKET
FROM GEORGIAN SQUARES TO POST-WAR FAMILY PROPERTIES,
CONNAUGHT VILLAGE HAS MUCH TO OFFER PROSPECTIVE BUYERS
Hot property
HYDE PARK STREET
Located mere moments from Hyde Park, this wide terraced family home benefits from off-street parking. Inside, highlights include an open-plan living and dining space with a balcony, six double bedrooms, a cinema room, gym, swimming pool, sauna, and plentiful private outdoor space.
£5.75m Agent: knightfrank.co.uk
CONNAUGHT SQUARE
This handsome five-bedroom Georgian house sits mid-terrace on the east side of the storied square. It boasts two studies, a gym and access to the private communal garden.
£6.5m Agent: struttandparker.com
HYDE PARK CRESCENT
Set opposite a charming church, this fivebed lateral home covers a generous 5,733 sq ft, complete with a mature garden and balcony overlooking a quiet mews.
£7.5m Agent: cluttons.com
ANDREW CHAMBERS Director, Strutt & Parker
“People often forget just how centrally located Connaught Village really is. I often walk there from Mayfair or Marylebone in 15 minutes, yet as soon as you arrive, you’re met with a village-like feel. With the vast green spaces of Hyde Park quite literally on your doorstep, residents enjoy an exceptional blend of city, country and village living rolled into one. While there are many high-end properties, the reality is a more diverse property landscape, ranging from one- to four-bedroom conversion apartments, with prices typically starting around £500,000, through to the more exclusive super-prime homes at £10m+. Connaught Square sits centrally, offering strong value compared to its W1 neighbours. This last year, Mayfair houses in fair condition achieved around £2,300 per sq ft. Comparable Georgian homes around Connaught Square average closer to £1,500+ per sq ft for the same period charm with the benefit of a prestigious garden-square setting.” struttandparker.com