Most Missed List: the OUT edit

Cocktails. Catching up on office gossip. Being silly with your colleagues who – for a good portion of the last two years – you might’ve just seen as faces on a Zoom screen. We’re big fans of a good work Christmas party, and apparently so are you, because this came up as number ten on the Most Missed List. Need some last-minute inspo for activities? Quirky activities are always a solid choice, like crazy golf at Birdies, ice karting at Skate, Dine, Bowl in Queensgate, or even the Crystal Maze Live Experience in the West End. 

Stop trying to deny it: the Schweppes Christmas Survey results speak for themselves. A Silent Night is the last thing you wanted in last year’s Bleak Mid-Winter, because carols came up in the top ten of the Most Missed List. Catch your favourite bangers (we’re talking ‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, you know the score) at St Paul’s Cathedral’s series of free concerts throughout December, as well as at Freemasons Hall (Dec 4-19) and the Royal Albert Hall (Dec 18-24). Want something a little glitzier? Try the ‘West End Musical Christmas’ (Dec 13 & 30), where musical theatre stars will perform festive hits. 

The fire’s roaring, the lights are twinkling, you’ve poured your gravy into a little mashed potato well, and your pal from uni is reminding you of that pub crawl where you insisted that you all dress as elves. All is well. Some traditions (like roasts with old friends) should never change, but there are plenty of amazing pubs out there, so why not switch the venue? Our favourite cosy pubs include the thatched-roof wonder that is The Dickens Inn in St Katharine Docks, The Southampton Arms in Gospel Oak (ideal for a post-Hampstead Heath ramble) and the sumptuously decorated Churchill Arms in Kensington. 

You generous bunch, you! The survey revealed that we’re much keener on seeing the faces of our family and friends light up rather than receiving presents. And how much more would you love the act of giving when it’s from a local, independent maker? Markets are perfect for this: try Southbank Centre Winter Market (until Dec 24), Christmas by the River at Tower Bridge (until Jan 31) or the DIY Christmas Art Market in Walthamstow (Dec 5). 

It’s not truly Christmas until you’ve watched classics like ‘Home Alone’, ‘Elf’ and ‘Die Hard’ (stop fighting it. It’s a Christmas movie, okay?). This year, support an independent cinema by treating yourself to a festive film. Prince Charles Cinema is doing sing-a-long screenings of ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ right up until Christmas Eve. 

Find out which Christmas experiences came in at number three, two and one on the list with our IN edit. [Link to the IN edit]