The best Christmas shops in London

Best for...
Decadent decorations

Nearest tube
Knightsbridge

Harrods is never one to do things by halves – and it's Christmas-a-go in the luxury shopping behemoth this year. As well as endless opportunities to blow two months' salary on fancy baubles there's a sleighful of merriment taking place in store, which kicks off with the Festival of Christmas on November 7.

Then there's the Harrods Christmas grotto – harder to get into than the Ivy, practically. Pre-bookable tickets are like gold-dust, and tend to sell out in a jiffy.

Best for...
Stylish stocking fillers

Nearest tube
Bond Street

Up on the fourth floor between the excellent toy department and Food Garden café, the Selfridges Christmas shop is bursting with everything you could require for a stylish Yuletide including knitted pudding decorations, traditional advent calendars and luxury Christmas crackers. New for 2015 are festive personalisation services, from wrapping paper to gift cards to mini Moet bottles.

Best for...
Luxury food hampers

Nearest tube
Green Park or Piccadilly Circus

We can’t think of a more festive shop than 307-year-old Fortnum and Mason. The entire store becomes a winter wonderland bedecked in opulent decorations and the most glorious foodie treats, from specialist biscuits presented in Christmas Merry-Go-Round tins to children’s hampers full of traditional sweets and crackers.

Best for...
Liberty-print crackers

Nearest tube
Oxford Circus

For a lovely, traditional array of Christmas bits and bobs in a festive setting, Liberty is your place. The Christmas shop sits on the fourth floor in the East Gallery and East Atrium. Look out for old-fashioned Christmas wreaths, stuffed toys and baubles galore. Liberty crackers are among the prettiest on the market, too.

Best for...
Designer home trimmings

Nearest tube
South Kensington

Christmas decorations don’t get smarter than those you’ll find at the Conran Shop; think coloured-Perspex deers, Missoni-esque glitter balls and retro-style glass sea horses. 

Those who want to turn the Christmas table into a work of art will also appreciate the super-elegant array of crackers.

Best for...
Festive atmosphere

Nearest tube
Goodge Street

Heal's super-cool Christmas shop is always a lavishly-decorated affair. Go here for statement decorations and super-stocking fillers like gorgeously packaged Italian soaps and Missoni face cloths. Crafty types should look out for the festive programme of in-store events.

Best for...
Well-priced cards, wrapping paper and baubles

Nearest tube
Goodge Street

When it comes to buying your festive trappings, Paperchase has it covered. Come here for a glittering selection of decorations from traditional tartan covered baubles to glass pugs and retro disco balls.

The first floor of the Tottenham Court Road flagship also houses an inspiring selection of classic children's toys and home wares by design brands including Vilac. The classy book department stocks glossy art, design and craft titles – all excellent gift fodder for the creatives in your life.

Best for...
Fake Christmas trees

Nearest tube
Bond Street or Oxford Circus

London’s least intimidating department store has everything you could ever require to make Christmas go with a bang. As well as the vast selection of tree decorations, wrapping paper and baubles, you’ll find the best range of fake Christmas trees – and, at 10ft, the tallest – on the high street. It's also ace for table decorations.

Best for...
Bargains

Nearest tube
Oxford Circus

The flagship Oxford Street branch recently underwent a huge £25million renovation. The Christmas shop features a good supply of festive trimmings including Christmas stockings, table top trees, garlands, wooden advent calendars and felt trees. Look out for lots of special offers.

Best for...
Gifts for kids

Nearest train station
Crouch Hill

Vintage Fisher Price toys, origami nightlights – kids’ presents have never been so modish. This Crouch End treasure trove, set up by two mums – a Scot and a Dane – is full of high-quality things for little ones, many of which are sourced from under-the-radar brands that you’ll struggle to find anywhere else. You’ll also be able to get your hands on unique goodies like hand-stitched leather shoes and handmade dolls.

Best for...
The cool factor

Nearest train station
Shoreditch High St Overground

East London lifestyle emporium Goodhood has had a cult following practically since it opened in 2007, and its new two-floor flagship is a leftfield present-hunter’s paradise. Impossibly hip men’s and women’s fashion, accessories, grooming products and homewares are the order of the day here – think hard-to-find-elsewhere trainers, limited edition ceramics, bold typographic posters and more. Sure to win you brownie points from the cool kid in your life.

Best for...
Homewares

Nearest train station
Shoreditch High St Overground

For simple, well-made and ridiculously aesthetically-pleasing objects for the home, this place is a sure bet. Set up by two former menswear designers, the shop sells items with a minimalist leaning, from simple enamel candle holders to perfectly-crafted pocket knives. Pop in to the Shoreditch shop for timeless, useful gifts that’ll also look great around the house.

Best for...
Kook

Nearest tube
Brixton

Stuck for what to buy the friend that has everything? This place in Brixton Village has your back. Brixi is a cornucopia of quirky bits and bobs you never knew you needed until now, selling anything from traditional Mexican folk art figurines to screenprinted napkins. Everything’s been sourced by magpie owner Emy Gray, and there are products made by local creatives and recent art school graduates in the mix too. You’re pretty much guaranteed to come away with something original.