Christmas in London is a magical time and made more so by some of the best Christmas lights in the world. Many of London's major streets will be decked out in christmas lights and so it is very hard to miss them. Every year they change, so there's no such thing as light-fatigue.

Most of them will be turned on between the start and the middle of November 2012 (often by a local celebrity such as a pop star or tv star) and in our opinion the best Christmas lights can usually be found in Bond Street, Marylebone High Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, and Covent Garden - and at the same time of course you can do your London Christmas shopping.

Possibly the most famous London Christmas lights on a single store are at Harrods in Knightsbridge.

in London we often call Christmas lights 'fairy lights', but usually in conjunction with Christmas trees, or a string of lights.
The 1st Christmas tree was lit by the use of electricity in 1882 by Edward Johnson with 80 small electric light bulbs in New York City - and he also invented the first string of christmas lights. The tradition to light up streets and department stores started at the very end of the 19th Century and is now big business - just like everything else around xmas.
Festive Fizz
Our Christmas wine experts share the secrets of the best champagnes and sparkling wines for Christmas - and all price ranges
by Grape Expectations
see all xmas blog posts
Sir Henry Cole commissioned the first commercial christmas card in the mid 19th Century. The card was illustrated by John Callcott Horsley and showed a family drinking wine. He sold out of his first 2000 print run.
Why a Christmas Card Shows You Don’t Care
Christmas is almost upon us. I tend to resist the pressure until December when I realize “Christmas really IS here.” But of course by then I should have sent out my Christmas cards.
by Louisa Leontiades
see all Bah Humbug posts