In St James's, we’re constantly creating new traditions. This festive season sees our neighbourhood filled with unique takes on classic Christmas experiences and unforgettable gifts, read our guide to discover all you need to know.
Twist No. 1: A classic Hamper gift bursting with flavour from Greece.
Estiatorio Milos offers a high quality Greek dining experience, and can be found at the foot of Regents’s Street St James’s. This year Milos are offering customers a twist on the classic Christmas hamper, with an exciting mix of sweet Greek treats and one of a kind condiments. Along with the Milos signature olive oil, top quality wines, and a delicious selection of traditional Greek Christmas biscuits, a true delicacy for all.
Twist No. 2: Add a touch of Italian style to the already iconic kitchenware to create the ultimate fusion of art and homeware for yourself this Christmas.
Wander under the twinkling spirits of Regent Street St James’s to the flagship Smeg store. Smeg’s passion for merging innovation and style has taken a twist this Christmas with the unique ‘Sicily Is My Love collection’. Collaborating with Dolce & Gabbana to take the classic 50’s style products and add a flourish of Sicilian art, with hand painted illustrations in beautifully vibrant colours. Creating a statement piece for your kitchen.
Twist No. 3: Re-inventing the traditional Japanese kimono to make it the perfect addition to your winter wardrobe.
Snow Peak, found on Regent Street St James’s, brings together traditional Japanese design with a modern twist to create collections of clothing that don’t just keep you warm but keep you looking stylish in the coldest of conditions. The stand out piece takes the classic kimono and transforms it into an outdoor coat that is perfect for the Christmas chill this season.
Twist No. 4: The traditional pyjama reinvented as a stylish dinner shirt.
Harvie and Hudson are amongst some of the most skilled shirtmakers Jermyn Street and the whole of London has to offer. Taking traditional styles such as the iconic bold-stripe pyjama - a classic piece of British fashion and a Christmas favourite - and transforming it into a trendsetting made-to-measure dinner shirt. This twist on such a traditional piece of fashion was a big statement when it was created and still has the same appeal today. So if you are in search of something stylish to gift on Christmas Day, Harvie & Hudson are the shirtmakers to visit.
Twist No. 5: Make gifting perfume even more personal with a Floris Scent.
Follow the scent of luxury perfume on Jermyn street and you will find Floris, an iconic perfume store in the heart of St James’s. Floris brings a personalised twist to the experience of purchasing perfume by offering scents specific to you or your special one. In the store you will be greeted by a personal perfumer dedicated to identifying the notes that bring out the best of your favoured essences to create a truly one of a kind gift this Christmas.
Twist No. 6: Sustainable stocking fillers for the family.
Sirplus are the masters of crafting sustainable fashion, in their boutique store in Princes Arcade. Creating the perfect gift of underwear, a quirky tradition amongst many at Christmas time. But at Sirplus you are also giving the gift of sustainability. With their incredibly high-quality range of boxers made from surplus materials, offering customers a beautifully considered gift with a comfortable finish.
Twist No. 7: Turn the traditional post-Christmas dinner snooze, into an essential oil-infused slumber.
The welcoming Anatomē store at the entrance to Princes Arcade brings a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Anatomē has an answer to the Christmas time chaos with the gift of rest and relaxation. Their Recovery & Sleep range takes a twist on the traditional post-Christmas dinner nap by blending 22 botanical essences to give you your most therapeutic sleep of the season. Visit the one of a kind boutique store this Christmas and embrace the festive slumber.
Twist No. 8: The quintessential British snack made especially for Christmas
Fortnum & Mason is one of the most notable stores on Piccadilly and the home of quintessential British snacks such as the scotch-egg, a traditional favourite for the festive period. But this season the deli at Fortnum & Mason are putting tradition aside to take a twist on the classic recipe and bring Christmas to the scotch egg with the addition of turkey and cranberry. A one of a kind treat that is still tempting even after the Christmas dinner feast.
Twist No. 9: Swap the traditional Christmas trip to the ice rink for a relaxing walk around the world-renowned art gallery.
Traditionally during the holiday season, trips to the ice rink and festive theme parks are classic destinations, but why not switch up your Christmas outing with a trip to a world-renowned art gallery; we recommend taking the loved ones to visit the Stern Pissarro gallery, located in the middle of St James’s Street. Pop into the gallery, and take inspiration from the masterpieces of three generations of artists and collectors from the Pissaro family - with a beautiful selection of impressionist, contemporary, and modern art for you to peruse through.
Twist No. 10: Turn the classic hot chocolate into a spicy festive treat with a dash of King’s Ginger liqueur from Berry Bros & Rudd.
Berry Bros & Rudd are one of the oldest wine and spirit merchants operating in London and can be found on the corner of Pall Mall & St James’s Street. For years the family run company has been providing the city with the season's must-have beverages from mulled wine to fine sherries, but this year Berry Bros & Rudd are highlighting The King’s Ginger - an exciting liqueur that when mixed into a hot chocolate adds a one of a kind twist creating the most memorable of festive drinks. Take a trip down to the Berry Bros. & Rudd store to find a bottle and make your own special Christmas tipple.
