CHRISTMAS 2025: The ultimate guide to festive gifts and treats
- Leigh Maynard
- Dec 10, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
Each year as the festive season approaches, it makes us wonder just how another year has passed but offers us time to reflect on our achivements, our best memories and gives us time to take pause and celebrate with those closest to us. Join the 5'Eleven" team as they share some of their top picks for festive things to do and dining options across the capital this season as well as our favourite selection of the gifts that will keep on giving!
Curated by the 5'ELEVEN" team, Words by Leigh Maynard
Transforming an historic London icon for Christmas
London's iconic Battersea Power Station has been tranformed in recent years, rejuvinating the area south of the river that surrounds it with an array of shops and dining options. This Christmas season between 7th November 2025 – 4th January 2026, the former powerstation will be become a sparkling festive destination. Try your hand at skating at Boots' Glide skate rink. London's only icerink is set against the Thames and a 30ft Christmas tree. Warm up with a hot chocolate in The Glass House while you admire this iconic london landmark.
An Icon with a Christmas Twist at CHANEL
Festive Dining, Carols, and Send a Letter to Santa at The Dorchester
During the Christmas season, The Dorchester's Promenade restaurant becomes festive from food to activities. Seasonal menus include dishes such as Foie gras, spiced apple pecan, golden raisins,
brown butter emulsion, Jerusalem artichoke velouté, Cambridge Bronze turkey
Apricot and pecan stuffing, cranberry sauce, kale crushed sweet potato, chipolatas, malted parsnips and deserts such as Pecan pie Crème fraîche, salted caramel. The restaurant will also entertain guests with live music, including carol singers at the weekends. There will also be a Christmas grotto pop-up by the recpetion, little poeple can write a letter to Santa and post it through The Dorchester's North Pole post box. While you are there you can also pick up a Dorchester Festive Hamper to take a little piece of The Dorchester home with you.
Heritage Crafstmanship with a Modern Twist at Bang & Olufsen
Bang & Olufsen always bring a different level of quality to sound and this special edition features a paper raffia weave that reinterprets the iconic chequrered speaker grills of the 1950's, a perfect gift for music lovers.
Festive Films at The Peninsula
For festive film lovers this Christmas, head over to The Peninsula where you can watch all the family classics from The Polar Express to Home Alone and Love Actually in the hotel's 15-seat screening room. Hosted every afternoon at 3pm, you can also find some festive treats to enjoy while you watch.
A FairyTale inspired Christmas at The London EDITION
Children and adults alike will enjoy The London EDITION's Christmas fairytale inspired tree created with taste-maker Skye McAlpine with her nostalgic approach to food. In celebration of this joyful collaboration, the hotel's award-winning restaurant, Berner's Tavern will be offering two specials until the 31st December, taken from recipe's in her recent book The Christmas Companion, they include the Chocolate & Chestnut Yule Log served on one of Skye’s own TAVOLA plates - £14 and the Chestnut Martini - Belvedere vodka, chestnut syrup, ice £18
The Cosy, Elegance of Christmas with Penhaligon's
Iconic British fragrance house Penhaligon's set out to bring heritage and humour for their Christmas 2025 gift sets. With a newly imagined brand identity they took inspiration from that most humourous of festive attire, the Christmas jumper. Loved by many, the Christmas Jumper is an integral part of British festivities, so what better way to celebrate than to give it a touch of Penhaligon's elegance with beloved fragrances, candles and gift sets, all wrapped in limited-edition designs that reflect the the coziness of knitwear, 'tis the season to wrap yourself up and wrap them in scent.
The Winter Rooftop at SACHI
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Knightsbridge, Sachi’s winter rooftop is the perfect spot to stop for some cosy winter respite, featuring delicious Japanese dishes and warming cocktails and hot toddy’s. We tried the Winter Moon - strong, perfect to sip with winter spices without being heavy. The food included Crispy sushi rice, spicy tuna and avocado, the perfect combo of light but still crisp. while the Wagyu gyoza was in a word - heaven. And the Nigiri - Tuna, salmon, seabass was fresh and light, the perfect accompaniment to a drink in between the festive lights and shops.
And finally, to finish we tried the gorgeously light and fluffy Matcha tiramisu - delicious!
Bag IT for Christmas!
The first It-bag created in 1997, Fendi's latest Baguette is full of festive cheer and the perfect addition to any christmas party outfit, with all those colourful sequins you'll light up any party.
509 'Gucci Rosso Ancora', Limited-Edition Gloss à Lèvres Lip Gloss, Mascara L'Obscur, black, £32; Limited-Edition Rouge à Lèvres Mat Lipstick, £38
Try the flavours of Christmas nostalgia with MASA x Joeseph Denison Carey
Creative culinary studio MASA known for their immersive dining experiences that infuse storytelling with food and design, join together with chef Joeseph Denison Carey to celebrate connection around the table as they host their ‘nostaljik feast’, on Saturday, 13th December, at 7pm at The Art House - a gallery space in the heart of Hackney. Taking you back to nostalgic festive flavours, sit down and enjoy a three-course dinner featuring dishes like Smoked trout, creme fraiche, trout roe, puff pastry, Braised pork in prosciutto and Chocolate tart, creme diplomat. Get your ticket here.
Give them Gifts of Gold
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in Yellow Gold Watch, £71,000; 886 Royal Mint Engagement ring, from £2,495
For those who love a gilded Christmas, Vacheron's Constantin Historiques 222 gold watch or 886's gorgeous jewllery are the perfect gift for that special someone.
Take a break from the Christmas Rush at The Bvlgari Spa
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Christmas, or then again give the gift of wellness and relaxation to someone this Christmas. Welcome to Bvlgari Spa, an urban oasis with focus on wellness, recovery, sleep, and longevity. Treatments include hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a zerobody dry float, rejuvenating recovery suite with an ice bath.
Rayban Meta - It's All in the Eyes
Create videos, listen to festive music and call your family this Christmas with the ultimate eyewear. Ray-Ban's Meta (Gen 2) takes the classic glasses to new contempory heights, with up to twice the battery life of the previous generation, a 3K Ultra-Wide 12MP camera for Ultra HD video capture, and the latest Meta AI features including: Hyperlapse, Slow Motion, as well as Live Translation. Available in three styles, Wayfarer, Headliner, and Skyler with some new colorways including Shiny Cosmic Blue, Shiny Mystic Violet, and Shiny Asteroid Grey, Ray-Ban Meta is crafted for all day comfort, hands-free use, and limitless creativity.
Sip a Martini in the Quiet Comfort of Scarfe's Bar
For a break between the Christmas crowds head to Scarfe's bar at The Rosewood, the perfect spot to duck into after lots of Christmas shopping in central London. Chat with the attentive bar staff in a relaxed atmosphere and our choice - they serve the best martini’s.
Give the gift of Haircare with Dyson
This season for those who love haircare, Dyson Beauty introduces Amber Silk - a celebration of warmth and galmour in hues like toasty burgandy, warm copper and pink champagne, that all elevate daily beauty routines while echoing the joy of the festive season and celebration. It's worth the hype. dries thick curly hair in seconds!
Step into a Chalet in the Heart of The City at The Rosewood
Step off of the streets of Holborn and into the cosy alpine cool of The Chalet at The Rosewood, created in collaboration with Goldbergh and The Singleton Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It's a chalet but chicer; natural woods, leathers and cosy blankets are given modern accents with monochromatic photos adorning the walls, while Goldberg's signature aesthetic with wooden elements and gold accents are accompanied by carefully curated tablewear and even a hot water bottle to 'warm the cockles.' Then to the food, choose from plates such a Raclette Sandwich, Mushroom Tortelloni or Venison Loin and the fondue with charcuterie, cornichons and picked onions is a must. Follow with Spice Plum Crumble or Apple Tarte-Tatin. The Singleton sits at the heart of the cocktail selection, with distinctive whisky serves. There is also a fabulous selection of champagnes, wine and beer and warming hot toddies and teas. You wont be disappointed!
Luxury Home Scents with Charms and Prosperity at Atelier Rebul
Since 1895 Atelier Rebul have been bringing us the scents of Istanbul, which began with the iconic fragrance Rebul Lavanda. Make your home smell fragrant this season with the Istanbul Reed Diffuser 515, blended with the brand's signature scent, it comes in a specially designed hardbox with an Istanbul collection card inside. Atelier Rebul have a brilliant selection of choices for gifts including a gorgeous selection of bag charms, from ladybirds to apples and pomegranate, to wish your loved ones prosperity for the new year.
Dickens with a Twist
Rosewood London's quirky interior's reflect the charm and history of the city. This season, in celebration of one of the city's most beloved writers, Charles Dickens. Step inside for an immersive afternoon tea inspired by Charles Dickens' most beloved tales, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist and The Old Curiosity Shop. Brought to you by Executive chef Mark Perkins, expect a chocolate mousse hat with white chocolate ganach and sour cherry jelly like that of Ebenezer Scrooge or a gingerbread sponge cake with pear vanilla jelly that captures the esscence of the Old Curiosity Shop, all the other essentials like scones and champagne add to this perfect treat that takes you back to the streets of Victorian London.
The Perfect Gift for your Host
While you may not be hosting this Christmas, we have the gift of gifts for the person who is; Rimowa's One Bottle Case is designed to hold almost any bottle, the ultimate piece for connoisseurs.
Spend Christmas Above the Clouds at The Duck and Waffle
Step onto the 40th Floor of 110 Bishopsgate, for an elevated Christmas season above the clouds at The Duck and Waffle. The indulgent four-course Christmas Day feast is one of the many highlighs, from 11:30am – 9:00pm on Wednesday 25th December, £170 per adult (wine pairing +£50) | £80 for children under 10. The menu includes elevated favourites such as Caviar & Sourdough Blinis, Lobster & Prawn Cocktail, and the Roasted Norfolk Bronze Turkey served with all the trimmings. Guests can also enjoy Salmon Wellington, before finishing with festive desserts including the decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake, a feast for the eyes, and tastebuds!
Sip Cocktails in Opulent Surrounds at Samba Room
On the 39th floor of the Heron tower celebrate in opulent style in the warm glamour of Samba Room, sip cocktails to incredible views and sample the festive flavours of the Samba menu.
Samba Room's Festive cocktails
The Perfect Roast at The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate
For roast lovers who like the laid back dining that pubs do so well, head to the hills of North London, to The Red Lion & Sun, for the ultimate cosy pub roast, voted best pub in London regularly serving over 300 roasts every day.
Wrap Them up in Cosy Modern Elegance
C. Vernoy is a brand that creates enduring timeless, elegant pieces that value heritage and artistry where every stitch, thread and silhouette is designed with intention. Give them the gift modern elegance, with craftsmanship, and heart in every piece.
Sip Cocktails Away from the Christmas Crowds at the Sun Tavern & Parasol
Cocktails & Dreams at The Sun Tavern - Stephen Joyce
If pushing through central London's Christmas crowds isn't your idea of a festive treat this season, head up to a cute neighbourhood local with soft lighting, gorgeous exposed brickwork and cocktails to die for at The Sun Tavern in Bethnal Green. We tried the delicious Gingerbread Negroni and Penelopes 86, with Whisky, Remy Martin, Cognac, Palo Cortado, Hazelnut Maple, Tonka. With food choices like Three Cheese Board and Parmasan Petit Saucisson, this is not your regular local. There is also a Christmas DJ on hand to get your Christmas groove on, on the 11th December.
Head over to The Sun's Sister, Parasol in Stoke Newington for a bar that gives dancefloor vibes, describing itself as 'a refined subterranean bar, serving fancy cocktails inspired by classics, to a soundtrack of 80’s NYC Disco'. With Tiki inspired booths, attentive staff and delicious cocktails, perfect for a Christmas party with great sets to sip to. We tried the Disco biscuit with woven homemade Scotch Whisky, Late Harvest Reisling, Strawberry Aperitif and Biscuit tea soda and the Yuk Fu with El Gobernador Pisco, Green Chartreuse, Lemongrass, Pandan, Coconut, Chilli, Lime - Yum!
And Finally.....Luxury Gifts to Relax in...
Give them the gift of comfort, in CK's festively hued boxers, or sit back in OVH's sumptuous velvet pyjamas and for the ultimate slipper, try Ugg's new colouway and style - and relax!
OVH Luxury Pyjamas, £595; UGG slippers, £115
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