Are you still looking for that perfect gift or planning a festive activity to delight colleagues, friends or family? Look no further as our member venues have some marvellous ideas for you to choose from. You could support independent makers by purchasing from a wealth of locally-made gifts at a festive market, add some artistic flair and individuality to your Christmas decorations, find festive favourites for stocking fillers, discover an exclusive range of unique and breath-taking gifts within the many beautiful and inspiring London museum and gallery shops. Alternatively choose something that will enthuse them throughout next year by giving the joy of an annual membership to an iconic London landmark or a ticket to a must see exhibition or event. Sign them up to a fabulous inspirational course or make a difference by adopting them a treasured item. Once you have chosen your perfect gift then wrap up warm and enjoy skating at one of London’s spectacular ice rinks or immerse yourself in stunning historic surroundings while enjoying music and traditional carols, to celebrate the joy and wonder of the festive season.
This festive season, wrap up warm and come skating at Royal Museums Greenwich. Their iconic Queen’s House Ice Rink returns for its fourth year and is bigger and better than ever! With onsite hot food and beverages, this rink has spectacular views in all directions for those perfect Instagram shots.
With the Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum right next door, you can enjoy some of Royal Museums Greenwich’s engaging collections, including the Armada Portrait and Nelson’s Jacket, before picking up your last-minute gifts in one of the gift shops.
For those wanting to make a full day of it, why not head over to the Cutty Sark afterwards where its’ sails are decorated as a Christmas tree, or head up to the Royal Observatory and Peter Harrison Planetarium to discover our festive night skies and enjoy views over London.
If you are still looking for a Christmas Party, with five venues Royal Museums Greenwich do still have key dates available. Reach out to them at events@rmg.co.uk or 0208 312 8517 now to book in quick!
Festive Duck Pond Market at Chiswick House & Gardens
Saturday 17–Saturday 24 December, 10am – 3pm
A chance to shop local and support independent makers this festive season with Duck Pond artisan and foodies market. With a wealth of locally-made gifts for all the family with added festive cheer with Christmas songs performed live by the Rock Choir and seasonal treats such as mulled wine and mince pies, it’s the perfect atmosphere for Christmas shopping.
Visit their website for more information: Festive Shopping - Chiswick House & Gardens (chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk)
Image credit: Mark Bothwell 2019
Immerse yourself in a very eighteenth-century Christmas this year, enjoying the music of Handel in the stunning historic surroundings of the Picture Gallery in the Foundling Museum. Get into the festive spirit with London Handel Players as they celebrate the Christmas season with arrangements of arias from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, as well as traditional carols and instrumental works by Praetorius, Frescobaldi, Charpentier, Corelli, Vivaldi and Heinichen.
On your visit you can enjoy the Museum’s festive decorations throughout, stock up on our specially-commissioned Christmas cards by Rob Bryan in the gift shop, and learn about the history of Christmas at the Foundling Hospital.
For further details please visit: https://foundlingmuseum.org.uk/
Image credit: © The Wallace Collection
It's getting festive at the Wallace Collection! From children's books to luxury gowns, to shining decorations and Christmas cards we have your Christmas shopping covered for everyone you need to buy for this year! Add some artistic flair and individuality to your Christmas tree this year with our range of Christmas decorations and accessories. Find festive favourites perfect for stocking fillers under £10.
Support the Wallace Collection this year by shopping online or in-store. To ensure your gift makes it under the tree, place your order by Saturday 10 December for International delivery and Sunday 18 December for UK delivery.
For further details visit: https://wallacecollectionshop.org/
Harrow School’s Hill Shop has Christmas baubles featuring two beautiful buildings at the School - Old Schools and Chapel, as well as the School crest with Harrow School blue ribbon to hang the bauble on the tree with. Made by Susan Rose China, these lovely Christmas baubles come wrapped in tissue paper in a high quality cream presentation box. Price £21.
www.harrowschoolenterprises.com/product-category/shop/souvenirs/
This year’s Harrow School Christmas Card features beautiful Old Schools at Christmas time, the original part of the School (one design, pack of 10). Inside reads “With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year.” The School crest is on the back cover of the card. Comes with 10 envelopes. Price £4.50. Measurements 17.5cm x 12cm.
https://www.harrowschoolenterprises.com/product/christmas-card-2022-harrow-school/
The Courtauld Shop offers a unique retail experience for lovers of art and design. Alongside prints and postcards of much-loved artworks from The Courtauld collection, you can discover an exclusive range of homewares, fashion, and gifts sourced from independent creators across the UK.
Whether you’re looking for a memento of your visit, a gift for a loved one, a statement piece for your home, or a limited edition, each visitor can find something to suit their taste and budget in the shop.
Our new range of Christmas gifts are available on our online store with small unique stocking fillers and games for Boxing Day. Final day shipping for Christmas will be Monday 19th December 2022.
Alternatively, give someone a gift membership to The Courtauld. Gift a whole year of must-see exhibitions, inspiring talks and events, exclusive offers and more
The Friends eGift membership vouchers make a unique and inspiring gift for the art lovers in your life.
Friends get free unlimited entry to The Courtauld Gallery, collection displays, and exhibitions including The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Peter Doig coming 2023, priority booking to selected events, advance notice of art history short courses, exclusive events, discounts and more.
And while they’re discovering thousands of years of art history, you’ll be helping to safeguard one of the world’s greatest art collections and supporting our students – the curators, conservators, and art historians of the future.
eGift vouchers
Choose from one of a Friends eGift membership vouchers online and they’ll send you an eGift voucher by email the next working day, which you can share with your gift recipient.
Friend £66
Friend plus guest £90
Buy a gift membership: www.courtauld.ac.uk/friends/gift
Make your gift go further this Christmas
Still undecided on what to get your loved ones? This year switch up your gifting with something unique, inspirational and sustainable. But, more importantly, something that has a lasting impact. Every purchase from the British Library this Christmas helps open up a world of ideas and inspiration for everyone. So why not give the gift of…
…sensational stories with the Crime Classics Subscription
…learning with one of the Library’s courses
…lasting memories with an annual British Library membership
…discovery with an exhibition ticket
…making a difference with a book adoption
https://www.bl.uk/news/2022/november/a-christmas-gift-for-all
Festive season at the Soane
Get ready to spread festive cheer with our Christmas cards and decorations inspired by Sir John Soane's Museum.
Volunteer Rachel Jones recently bought her background in fashion and her skills as a seamstress to the Soane by designing a series of felt Christmas tree baubles inspired by Mr and Mrs Soane's own beloved dog Fanny.
Volunteers will also be the stars of our upcoming Christmas Soane Late when the volunteer choir will fill the Museum with Georgian carols.
For further information visit: https://www.soane.org/
CHW is delighted to have several exciting Christmas events to raise holiday cheer! On 8th December, we are raising money for Children's Day by wearing Christmas Jumpers: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7001190880980127744.
Please donate if you can and wear a fun Christmas Jumper – every child deserves a positive future!
Asking all to come and sing our favourite Christmas Carols by candlelight, accompanied by the Great Hall Orchestra and choir! All are welcome, and tickets are free!
For further information visit: https://www.chvenues.com/traditional-carols-with-great-hall-orchestra/
If you’re looking for a more unusual Christmas gift this year whether it’s for a family member or colleague, how about purchasing them a membership for the Museum of London Docklands?
Not only will the lucky recipient get exclusive member benefits including free entry to the paid for exhibition Executions, discounts and priority booking for museum events, but you’ll also be helping to preserve the history of London for future generations to come. Becoming a friend of the Museum costs just £40 a year (£30 for concessions). To purchase a membership for Christmas, please call the Box Office team on 020 7030 3300.
If you’re sorted for Christmas gifts but are looking for activities to enjoy over the festive period whether for a corporate event or family day out, our Feeding Black: Community, Power & Place exhibition at Museum of London Docklands is open now until May 2023. The free display explores the central role food plays in Black enterprise and identity in South East London by spotlighting four African and Caribbean businesses and their owners. For events, clients can host a drinks reception in the third floor galleries, with a private visit to the exhibition as a Christmas add on.
To enquire, contact the team on venuehire@museumoflondon.org.uk or call 020 7814 5789
Image credit: Luke Dyson
Skate at Somerset House with Moët & Chandon, a spectacular season of celebration in the heart of London.
The magnificent ice rink, now with bigger skate space, transforms the neoclassical courtyard into the essential winter destination, complete with a glorious 40ft Christmas tree, with specially curated decorations from Moët & Chandon, providing perfect picture moments.
Hailed as one of the capital’s favourite winter experiences, Skate at Somerset House provides unrivalled skating, contemporary music, the perfect gift selection from Hotel Chocolat, and delicious food and drink. From skating lessons with Skate School, to the ultimate nightlife sets from trailblazing DJs on rink-side decks at Skate Lates with UNIQLO, there is something for everyone across the Skate season. Gourmet dining also returns at Chalet Suisse by Jimmy Garcia, providing the perfect post-skate treat at the pop-up alpine restaurant. For the ultimate rink-side seat, enjoy champagne and cocktails in the Skate Lounge by Moët & Chandon.
For further details: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house
Image credit: James Bellorini
Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas?
Did you know the National Theatre Bookshop offers book subscriptions? Choose from the poetry, fiction, play text or children's categories and receive an exciting new title in the post each month. We will be sending out unputdownable page-turners, new voices we think should be discovered as well as the odd eccentric choice you might not find in your high street bookshop.
If you know someone who enjoys enjoys that new book feeling as much as we do, this is the perfect gift for curious readers this Christmas (which might just be you!). Available as a three, six or twelve month book subscriptions.
The National Theatre Bookshop also offers a wide range of Christmas decorations and gifts including our bespoke bee gift box for the nature enthusiast in your life, a Shakespeare gift set, a theatre lovers gift box for children and a delicious food hamper.
Find out more at National Theatre Shop
Celebrate the joy and wonder of the festive season at St Paul’s Cathedral.
There’s a full calendar, including charity concerts from WaterAid and Guide Dogs, and the Cathedral’s own Celebration of Christmas, with music from the St Paul’s Choir and readings from special guests. Advent and Christmas services run through December, including lighting the Christmas trees and blessing the crib, Advent organ recitals, Midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve, and services throughout Christmas Day.
Design a ceramic Christmas decoration to take home at drop-in family craft activities on the 10th December, 10.30am – 3.00pm (included with a sightseeing ticket). Visit our Shop for a beautiful selection of artisan, fairtrade gifts, decorations, cards and more, and relax with a drink at our pop-up Café. Find out more at: https://www.stpauls.co.uk/christmas
If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for someone with a passion for the built environment, we’d suggest taking a visit to the RIBA Bookshop at 66 Portland Place. The bookshop is Europe’s leading specialist architectural bookshop supplying books, gifts, stationery, and construction contracts.
Featuring a huge selection of publications covering architecture, design, landscape, construction, law, practice management and more, you can browse the extensive range of books in a relaxed and friendly environment with our knowledgeable staff on hand to help you find the right book as a Christmas gift for friends or family members.
Whilst you’re at 66 Portland Place exploring the bookshop for festive gifts, why not enjoy a drink or bite to eat in our Bauhaus Bar and Café? Situated on the ground floor, the room has been designed as a nod to the architectural style of the Bauhaus movement, and all colours are based on its bold and unique aesthetic.
https://www.ribabooks.com/riba-bookshop-london