Off the cuff

To be truthful, I’m not a great fan of Christmas. The pressure that it’s the law to be out there enjoying yourself; the busy bars and restaurants; the omnipresent question of ‘what are you doing for Christmas?’ Bah humbug is my response!

Well, the ever-looming deadline is fast approaching and the worst bit of all for me is the buying of the presents.  No, it’s not that I’m stingy; I am just useless at it - I’ll go out shopping for presents and end up very irritated and coming away with nothing but lots of stuff for me! (not all bad then). 

However, my scrooge-like demeanour was challenged last week on a trip to our store in Jermyn Street as I rediscovered an old friend – Jermyn Street!

I had almost forgotten what a wonderful oasis of calm there is in this secret little quarter of Mayfair.

I love the little independent shops along this street, like Paxton & Whitfield who sell the most delicious cheese right next door to a posh jewellers and opposite another shop selling bath taps and other fabulous bathroom paraphernalia - Czech & Speake.

You can lose yourself for hours in Fortnum and Mason, have a haircut and shave at Trumper’s and then wander up and down the arcades as if you’d been transported back to another era. 

Even stores that have extended their emporia further afield have an old-world charm and character about them like Links of London, Hackett and of course Waterstone’s, who are in the fabulous art deco building that once was Simpson’s of Piccadilly.

I even got my Christmas cards in the wonderful Wren Church of St James’s where you might be lucky enough to catch a lunchtime concert.

And, of course, there are no shortages of places to rest and revive those weary bag-laden arms; you could start off with some breakfast at the Wolseley (although strictly speaking this is in Piccadilly), followed by lunch in Wilton’s and a light supper at Green’s to name but a few. 

How very civilized, and that’s almost all my Christmas shopping done!  I did get quite a few of my pressies sorted at our shop at no. 106, but then again, what do you get a man who has everything?  Shirts? Socks? Ties? They are always a winner.  Happy Christmas Shopping…

Image: