 Oxford Street during Christmas 
Oxford Street - Not just for shopaholics
Recommendation added: 07/11/2006 23:52
By: velvet202 (YSUK rating +220)velvet202 has been thanked 6 times for this contribution
"I've been to everywhere: Toronto, NY, Sidney, but when it comes to shopping, nothing beats Oxford Street in London's West End.
Measuring one and a half miles form one end to the other and with over 600 shops on both sides of the street, there's something for every taste – and most importantly – for every budget. Oxford Street is the only street, where I've seen the likes of House of Fraser & co. next to cheap clothes discount stores, where you can get a trendy winter coat for a tenner. Here you will find the crème de la crème of designer brands and the rising stars direct from the catwalk, but also excellent, yet not less hip, bargains that will not burn a whole in your purse. All in all, it's 150 brands that stretch to your left and right and will compete for your attention with beautiful visual displays, soothing atmosphere and trendy music on Europe's busiest street.
At Christmas time, the atmosphere is very festive with thousands of lights turning the evenings into days. In fact, the lights are arranged in form of creative ornaments and vary from year to year, but they seem to get more impressive by the year. Over a six-week pre-Christmas period, the shops attract over 40 million visitors from all over the world, most remarkable in the huge crowds gathering outside Selfridge's and H&M. Here, the Christmas spirit is not just about getting your loved ones the perfect gift. It's also the place, where you will see entire families spending time together while admiring the exquisiteness of the decorations from inside the warmth of the cafés. White and gold are the colours that have been chosen to heighten customers' spirits this year, and you will find many Christmas trees decorated in pure white and promotions girls handing out golden discount vouchers and sweets for the children.
Even if shopping is not necessarily your favourite pastime, there's too much to see and admire to give this experience a miss. Apart from treating friends or family to a lovely Christmas pudding and warm wine in Café Auberge, a small French brasserie that serves excellent French cuisine in a welcoming ambiance, you can also take your kids, nieces, nephews and so on to the free Kid's Events that are usually held in the huge John Lewis department store. The kids love listening to famous fairytales narrated by famous radio and television presenters dressed as Santa Clauses.
For adults, there's thousands of give-away prizes each and every month, depending on the time of the year. Christmas is great if you want to treat yourself without spending a penny. Just enter every promotion as advertised outside a shop by promotions girls and you could end up winning your Christmas gifts.
Getting here by public transport is highly advisable as there's a tube station on every corner. Most shops open at 9am and do not close before 9pm during the week and on Saturdays. Until Christmas, some shops such as Selfridges stay open until 10pm or later.
A quick tip:
For beautifully wrapped presents, just ask the shop assistants at the till and most will do it for you, so you'll save yourself time and effort."
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