Oh, Christmas Tree.
Andrea Thomas (see her 3 Dec posting via link right) was correct... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE to find lights, trees, or anything Christmas in London for your home. Despite Christmas being everywhere in the stores, on the streets, etc.... you can't find anything for your home. Maybe it's not proper?
After a long search, I found a 1.5 foot metal tree with blue LED lights at Peter Jones (aka John Lewis... the store has two names and is confused). A cool 25 quid later, I was out the door. (25 quid is ~$50 which is close to what you would pay at a nice tree farm in Shelton, CT for a real one that's 8' tall).
See picts below.
Andrea Thomas (see her 3 Dec posting via link right) was correct... IT'S IMPOSSIBLE to find lights, trees, or anything Christmas in London for your home. Despite Christmas being everywhere in the stores, on the streets, etc.... you can't find anything for your home. Maybe it's not proper?
After a long search, I found a 1.5 foot metal tree with blue LED lights at Peter Jones (aka John Lewis... the store has two names and is confused). A cool 25 quid later, I was out the door. (25 quid is ~$50 which is close to what you would pay at a nice tree farm in Shelton, CT for a real one that's 8' tall).
See picts below.
Christmas 2004 - Me about to hack down a Fraser Fir at Jones Tree Farm. 
Christmas 2006 - London. The largest one I could find.
12 Comments:
Oh dear ...... Rino is just a wee bit quick on the blog.
After exhaustive interrogation, it transpires that it is impossible to find Xmas stuff on his route home.
Sadly, Rino did not try:
Woolworths,
Debenhams, or
Selfridges.
You might even find them in the larger branches of Tesco.
Obviously, you won't find plastic Xmas trees in Kensington or Knightsbridge. That is like looking for K-Mart on the Upper East! Do Armani do plastic trees?
ps. Because we Brits do not do Thanksgiving, we don't arrange things so that our houses can be seen from outer space prior to the end of November.
In fact, the jurisprudence is that decorations should go up on Xmas eve and come down on 12th night. Honoured more in the breach I'm afraid.
However, in one aspect the UK is like the USA. Guys do Xmas shopping on the 24th. Anything prior to that date is premature and they will probably get the wrong thing anyway.
Hope Rino is bringing Xmas pudding and crackers home for Xmas
pps. we call it Xmas (Christmas) and not "the holidays" on the totally spurious grounds of Xmas Day being on the 25th December.
Merry Holidays to you all ...
Ho Ho Ho
I suppose I could send you this year's pewter ornament...but it might topple your tree ;-)
wow that was a funny one- especially the response from Scots Charlie- holy moly I am laughing... Terry always gives me crap about putting up the decorations too early- his family did the same in Ireland- put up decorations very close to xmas and not after Thanksgiving- too funny...
Well Rino and Beth- Your little tree is adorable...glad you guys are having so much fun! Things are good on this end...the 3 of us spent the weekend in the city for my bday..was a blast...early nights as opposed to late ones, but Philip behaved well- we even took him to Asia de Cuba...was funny...he was so good....
Nothing else new with us- counting down the days until we go to Ireland... bummed we will miss you guys at xmas....
We were saying that we'll have to work out a weekend visit to London when we visit Ireland next...or alternatively get you guys to visit us for the weekend in Ireland if we go again in the summer : > )
Charles- Ouch.
Gwyn- Don't make fun of our Charlie Brown tree :( I think your ornament would look splendid on it.
Jen- So glad to hear you're doing well. Happy belated birthday! Your weekend in NYC sounded fun! You're welcome here anytime, or we'd be happy to meet you in Ireland :)
I love it! Sadly, it is true. And if you don't have a car, which we don't, going somewhere far out to get a real tree isn't an option - I don't think cabs would want us schlepping a tree into the back of their car!
PS - Tree Farm Heiress is the grand daughter of the Jones Tree Farm. Tip. If you want a discount at Jones, move to London and have her and her boyfriend over for a week. Then maybe you might qualify.
Your just a little too early. In a week or so you'll see real trees appearing for sale on the sidewalks. Go to a garden centre near you for a good quality one, or you could always order one through the internet.
nice to see you are no longer caught up on cost
hey - whiney new yorker - try this http://www.thewhitecompany.com/?lpsrc=google&adt=bra1&lpgrp=brand&lpkey=white%20company
Best thing is they don't sell blue tack so you don't have to be scared to shop there....
Thanks ananymous... whoever you are...???
that's a pretty sharp tree - at least you won't have to worry about pine needles, but then again, it probably won't give off that really nice smell a real big christmas tree gives off
Hi,
I found your blog too late for the holidays, but we order our tree and fresh wreath from pinesandneedles.com. They deliver a fresh fir and will even set it up should you require.
Decent tree lights, however, I've found difficult to find. Twice now I've ended up with strands that are programmed to blink in nine different patterns - hello! I just want ON!
Ikea had some nice lights a few years ago - I value my sanity too much to go there just for tree decorations, but if you have other reasons to go there...
As for ornaments, The Pier and Paperchase offer decent value. Or visit a Christmas market on the continent - the German ones are especially wonderful.
From a fellow expat...
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