Yahoo News Best London-themed Christmas gifts: 10 unique presents that celebrate the capital
“When a man is tired of London”, Samuel Johnson once declared, “he is tired of life.”
It’s hard to disagree with the famous words of the acclaimed writer. London is, in fact, the greatest city in the world (and yes, we’re saying that entirely objectively), with its unparalleled culture, shops, restaurant scene and nightlife.
From our lush green parks to royal palaces and dizzying skyscrapers, there’s nowhere quite like London.
To celebrate the city and her many, many charms, we’ve rounded up some of the very best London-centric gifts to buy this Christmas.
Bestow them on proud London-based loved ones, send them to far-flung friends or delight homesick Londoners with a fond reminder of the bright lights and big city.
See our favourites below
Queen Victoria Bust
While some see one of England’s greatest monarchs, others may be reminded of the iconic prop of EastEnders’ fictional Queen Vic pub. However you look at it, this bust of Queen Victoria will make one majestic gift.
£20 | V&A | Buy it now
Hamleys Bon Bon Bear
There's no other way to put it; this teddy bear is just adorable. Perfect for small children, the bear is covered in a plush, honey-coloured coat and has an embroidered face. The final details are the festive red and gold Hamleys-branded bow around his neck and the store’s logo emblazoned on his foot. Designed to be cherished for many Christmases to come.
£50 | Hamleys | Buy it now
F&M Christmas Mini Musical Tin, 130g
While the rest of us do our shopping at Tesco, the Royals head to Fortnum & Mason, just a stone's throw from the Ritz in Green Park. As well as gourmet food and drink, the HRH-approved department store offers elegant homewares, gifts and restaurants to partake in that quintessentially English tradition: afternoon tea.
Gift-wise, we adore this fabulously decorated Christmas edition tin of Chocolate & Caramel Shortbread, which even tinkles out 'Jingle Bells' when the base is twisted. Add a tin of cocoa to create the perfect London Christmas gift.
£12.95 | F&M | Buy it now
London Weather Clock Limited Edition
Remind them of London whatever time zone they’re in with Bramwell Brown’s Weather Clock. The built-in sensors detect the weather outdoors and change the illustrations accordingly so you know at a glance if it’s rain or shine outside.
Limited edition of 250 clocks only.
£750 | Bramwell Brown | Buy it now
Once the bearer of a Royal Warrant, Harrods is world-renowned. Pick some of the finest Earl Grey tea bags which come in a tin beautifully illustrated with the front of the luxury department store.
£10 | Harrods | Buy it now
Personalised Marmite Jar
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but Marmite is one of those foods, like pie and mash and tea and toast that's unapologetically British. There's nothing else that comes remotely close to its unique umami flavour (not even that Australasian charlatan Vegemite) making it a distinctive taste of home. Get their name on the label to make this a pot of something really special.
£11.99 | Prezzybox | Buy it now
City of London's Christopher Wren Gin No. 2
London was once home to hundreds of gin palaces, and there are still quite a few distilleries in the city making the spirit. Thankfully it's transformed into more of a refined and regulated process than in the late 1820s at the height of Gin Palace popularity when many illicit gins could make you go blind.
London made gins make fabulous gifts; from the sleek and sippable Victory Cold Gin (made in Bermondsey) to Little Bird London Dry Gin, which hails from SE15.
Then there's this bottle: City of London's Christopher Wren Gin is made in the middle of town, bears the City’s crest and is shaped to look like St. Paul's Cathedral too. Can it get any more London than that?
£29.75 | The Whisky Exchange | Buy it now
Shop more London-born gins:
Portobello: Portobello Road No. 171 Gin, £19, Amazon
Kensington: Duck and Crutch Kensington Dry Gin, £39, Harvey Nichols
Battersea: Dodd's Gin, £38.50, Fortnum & Mason
Chiswick: Sipsmith London Dry Gin, £22.50, Amazon
Union Jack Crown Tree Decoration
Give their tree a Cool Britannia upgrade with this Union Jack decoration, inspired by the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London.
£17.99 | Historic Royal Palaces | Buy it now
Emma Bridgewater Christmas in London Mug
Featuring illustrations of London's iconic shopping streets, this 1/2 pint mug from Emma Bridgewater is the perfect gift to remind friends and family of the bustling city at wintertime.
£19.95 | Emma Bridgewater | Buy it now
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