Christmas

Start: Oxford Circus tube
H&M
Pick up cheap, trendy accessories and clothes. And the sale has started.
H&M, 261-271 Regent St, W1 (020 7493 4004/www.hm.com).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-5pm.

Topshop
Brace yourself – browsing the rails here is a contact sport. But with three floors of fun fashion you are bound to find something for a girlfriend (for boys, head upstairs to Topman).
Topshop, 216 Oxford St, W1 (020 7636 7700/www.topshop.com).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-5pm.

Superdrug
Cosmetics and sundry smellies for female family members. Gift-wrapping available.
Superdrug, 197-213 Oxford St, W1 (020 7434 1046/www.superdrug.com).
Christmas Eve opening 10am-4pm.
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Borders (Paperchase in store)
One-stop shop for the basics: books, CDs, magazines, with Paperchase on the top floor and gift-wrapping services in store.
Borders, 203-207 Oxford St, W1 (020 7292 1600/www.bordersstores.co.uk).
Christmas Eve opening 8am-7pm.

Liberty
This is the place to splash out on gorgeous designer gifts, from fashion and beauty to stunning homewares. If you need a break, the three restaurants will be open until 3.30pm. There’s also gift-wrapping in store.
Liberty, Regent St, W1 (020 7734 1234/www.liberty.co.uk).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-4pm.

Carnaby Street
Try Whittard (020 7439 0095/www.whittard.co.uk) for fancy tea and coffee and associated paraphernalia. Pamper loved ones with natural bath and body treats at Lush (020 7287 5874/www.lush.co.uk). And if you’re having trouble sourcing something for a teenage niece or nephew, find out what team he or she supports and pop in to Soccer Scene (020 7439 0778/www.soccerscene.com).
Christmas Eve opening Mostly 10am-6pm.

Kingly Court
Three floors and 28 independent shops all contained in one courtyard. Try Black Pearl (020 7439 0702/www.blackpearlboutique.co.uk) for handmade jewellery and vintage clothes, Ray Gun (020 7287 7333/www.raygun.co.uk) to spice up your boyfriend’s wardrobe (discounts on Christmas Eve) or Carry Me Home (020 7434 1840/www.carrymehome.co.uk) for baby clothes (20 per cent discount on all Christmas items on Christmas Eve).
Kingly Court, Carnaby St, W1.
Christmas Eve opening Mostly 11am-6pm.

Hamleys
Seven-floor toy superstore. If you have a small child in tow, he or she can be bribed with a visit to see Santa while you hunt for gifts.
Hamleys, 88-196 Regent St (0870 333 2455/www.hamleys.com).
Christmas Eve opening 8am-4pm.

Apple Store
Low on ideas, but high on cash? You can’t go wrong with the latest lovely iPod.
Apple Store, 235 Regent St, W1 (020 7153 9000/www.apple.com).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-5pm.

South Molton Street
Nip down this fancy little street for designer treats from Browns, Bang and Olufsen, Molton Brown and Kurt Geiger. Not for gifts, obviously, this is just for you.
Christmas Eve opening Various, though many shops will remain open until 6pm.

John Lewis
Great one-stop shop for homewares, clothes and upmarket pressies. Gift-wrapping available.
John Lewis, 278-306 Oxford Street, W1(0207 629 7711/www.johnlewis.com).
Christmas Eve opening 9.30am-6pm.

Accessorize
Get your stocking-fillers here! Hats, scarves and affordable jewellery. There’s a three-for-two Christmas offer and gift-wrapping, too.
Accessorize, 293 Oxford St, W1 (020 7629 0038/www.accessorize.co.uk).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-4pm.

Selfridges
This is (almost) the last chance saloon. On the upside, Selfridges has everything from cosmetics to cigars. On the downside, it’s likely to be a scrum.
Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, W1 (0800 123 400/www.selfridges.com).
Christmas Eve opening 9am-5pm.

End: Bond Street tube. Find a bar.