Whether you’re after a little bit of fancy at world-famous department stores or getting indie-inspired in boutiques curated with one-of-a-kind and hard-to-find gifts, London is a Christmas shopper’s dream destination. Our shopping guide will help you keep the magic alive this 2022-2023 festive season. 

The Big Hitters – Intrinsic to the iconic London Christmas shopping experience are the capital’s world-famous department stores. Not only do they offer more than enough choice to make it easy to tick off your gift list but they’re also great if you’re feeling a little uninspired. Staff that know the seasons’ must-have gift, the perfect perfume, and all the right accessories for your new piece of tech, will help take the guess work out of gifting. 

Stocking Fillers at Selfridges – They’re so good at Christmas they even have their own team of ‘gift giving gurus’ the Elfridges. From luxury advent calendars to festive fragrances, the team at Selfridges on Oxford Street will make sure Christmas morning is one to be remembered. 

Hampers from Harvey Nichols – In their words ‘the festive season isn’t complete without a luxury Christmas hamper from Harvey Nichols’, and we tend to agree. This famous Knightsbridge store knows how to get the Christmas party started. 

John Lewis Is Christmas – Their Christmas advert is synonymous with Britain’s love of all things classic Christmas. See for yourself what makes John Lewis & Partners a favourite for Christmas shopping with a visit to their Oxford Street store. 

Luxury at Liberty – As famous for their own fabric as their stunning Tudor-revival store on Regent Street, Liberty is home to all things luxury. Shop from Aesop beauty products to Italian Zafferano glassware and plenty of beautiful ideas in between. 

Need more gifting ideas? Leave with a classic green bag after exploring the seven floors of Harrods, pick up the most luxurious Christmas dinner ingredients at Fortnum & Mason, or head to Hamleys and benefit from their 260 years as the world’s most famous toy shop. 

Think Different – Eschew the obvious and discover brands you wish you’d known about sooner in two of our favourite stores in Hackney and Shoreditch. Conveniently located just a short walk from The Gate, they’re easy to combine with your Christmas shopping mini break. 

Goodhood Store is all about handpicked designer clothing and lifestyle goods. Located at 151 Curtain Road in Hackney their ethos is ‘selected goods for the independent mind’ and they deliver with a very special selection of curated gifts. 

Luna & Curious on Calvert Avenue in Shoreditch is one of East London’s favourite independent stores for surprising and wonderful gift ideas. The friendly team at Luna & Curious will help you pick out the perfect gift with a range of womenswear, kids clothes, toys, homeware and more. Don’t forget to take a look at their stationery for writing your season’s greetings.

Light It Up – Christmas shopping in London is about more than filling your shopping bags. London’s light displays brighten up the shorter winter days and add a little sparkle to a London festive shopping trip. Gaze up at Oxford Street’s light-curtains with more than 200,000 twinkling bulbs, get into the Christmas spirit on nearby Carnaby Street with their Choose Love themed pink-neon display, and head to Covent Garden to see the Christmas tree to beat all Christmas trees. 

Christmas Shopping Minibreak – Don’t shop until you drop, rather stay in comfort, and eat, drink and be merry. Book a mini break at The Gate and take a little extra time over your London Christmas shopping while treating yourself at the same time. Now that’s festive.