Feeling festive? Ready to make Santa jealous with your Christmas plans?
Well it’s never too early to start, and where else to celebrate than the world’s favourite capital city, London! Dickensian and modern the ancient and cutting edge, rubbing tinsel clad shoulders together! From Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, to viewing the skyline at the Shard; traditional carol concerts, glorious pantomimes and Christmassy plays; London has it all.
https://www.timeout.com/london/opera-classical/christmas-carol-concerts-in-london-choral
The Royal Opera House will be entertaining us with the time-honoured and enchanting “Nutcracker” ballet, which is a must for all the family.
The Southbank will be hosting its famous Winter Festival from mid-November onwards. Packed with Christmas markets and gifts stalls, there will be oceans of mulled wine and an array of food to satisfy even the most jaded of palates.
Leicester Square will also be transformed; into Santa’s village, centred around the enormous Christmas tree, so look out for busy elves and a magical grotto there.
On the subject of grottos, Santa will be granting wishes and making appearances all over London. From Hamleys (the World’s best toy shop) to Harrods and Selfridges, Leicester Square, Winter Wonderland and Battersea Park’s children’s zoo to mention just a few!
https://www.timeout.com/london/kids/activities/santas-grottos-in-london
Christmas and ice skating go together like hot chocolate and marshmallows, and you can enjoy both, as London offers uniquely beautiful rinks in spectacular settings.
Situated at the Natural History Museum, Hampton Court Palace, stunning Somerset House and my absolute favourite, the Tower of London – where you can skate on the moat around this 1,000 year old iconic building in the dark whilst huge snowflakes are projected up on the walls, and then indulge in pop-up food and drink stalls.
Make you sure you leave time to squeeze in some last-minute Christmas shopping in the West End and take in the sparkling Christmas lights. We mustn’t forget the epic Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, which has fast become a London Christmas tradition and offers something for all the family.
After the cold outdoors you may well need reviving, and as the one and only Mae West once said:
“Let’s get out of these wet clothes and into a dry martini”!
…and where else to head to but the famous Dukes Bar in St James – world renowned for their martinis.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and if after all these pre-Christmas festivities you need a fun and delicious, traditional English Christmas lunch or dinner on Christmas Day, then there is only one place to be… Ffionas restaurant on Kensington Church Street – and let us make your Christmas Day really special.
https://www.ffionas.com/christmas-day-at-ffionas
We hope to see you on December 25th, but whatever you choose to do we wish you all a very merry Christmas.
Thick and Chewy White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Let’s face it there’s no time for wasting at Christmas ?.
If you want to bake you need a fool proof, tried and tested, easy recipe and this is it!
Quick and easy – they take about 10 minutes to prep and far less time to eat! I’ve tried many but Bakerbynature nailed it with this one!
My tip is to add some crushed pistachios to the cookies just prior to baking. It just adds that little bit of green to these red and white cookies that really makes them scream CHRISTMAS ?.
PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS – THEY WILL LOVE ❤️ YOU FOR IT.
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Remember though to leave some for Santa!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 15 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees (F).
Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the dry ingredients; set aside.
In a large bowl combine the butter, sugars, and vanilla; whisk until light and fluffy; about 2 minutes (you may use a standmixer/ handheld mixer to help if you have one).
Add the eggs and beat quickly – for only about 30 seconds – until they’re just combined. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes, then beat the eggs for another 30 seconds. Gently fold in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon, stirring only until the flour begins to disappear.
Fold in the white chocolate chips and cranberries.
Roll 3 tablespoon sized balls of dough between your palms to form a ball (they should be big; almost a 1/4 cup), then place on prepared sheet (make sure to leave enough room in between each cookie for inevitable spreading).
Continue this process until all the dough has been rolled. Place baking sheets in preheated oven and bake for 11-14 minutes, or until golden at the edges but still soft in the middle.
Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a wire wrack to cool completely.