Selfridges is one of London's oldest department stores and it is a beauty. It's not always for the fiscally faint of heart but no one can deny there are some beautiful things there. This is no more obvious than at Christmas time. Even in October, they had their "Christmas Shop" open -- and it was enchanting.
I think you can imagine that when I saw these two trees flanking the entry as I was walking down the aisle, my pace quickened a bit because I knew I had to see what was inside!
Of course there are plenty of trees and ornaments.
Because I love felted things, I was drawn to this one.
And, if a royal tree is in your plans, you'll find everything you need here (sometimes at royal prices!)
They didn't forget the King.
Need a stocking? They had a few!
How about a Nutcracker! These were lovely.
The windows were charming.
Ready for a gingerbread house? There were non-edible options!
My very favorite thing was this Christmas village -- or really, more like a Christmas park. Here are a few photos (you can see them larger if you click on them).
The village was complete, with a mail room and boutique.
But for the merry maker, there was plenty to enjoy!
I can imagine being a kid and enjoying this ride!
Or maybe just going for a skate would be fun! Especially if a life band was playing the musical accompaniment!
If you have a couple of minutes, check out the more complete video. I was so entranced. (Sorry there is no music there. I can't figure out how to add it in my computer's movie program!)
Jeanie in her element!
It's the season for merriment and celebrating. I might break every now and then for Holidays at Home posts! But I'm pretty sure nothing I'd see here could beat the magic of Selfridges!
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity / Comfy Cozy Christmas / Talking About It Tuesdays / Share Your Style / Friday Face Off
62 comments:
Christmas drives me mildly bonkers anyway, but Christmas in October would send me right off the deep end!
...unlike David, Christmas is my favorite time of year. The displays at Selfriges look fabulous, but I wonder how much of it is made in China?
Hello Jeanie,
The store really did a wonderful job with the Christmas decorations and pretty trees. The felt ornaments are cute. Did you buy any ornaments? Cute photo of you! Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
Oh Jeanie, this post bought back so many happy childhood memories.
Growing up as a family we always went up to London to see the lights and to visit Selfridges.
I did enjoy your photographs, it's so important to keep the magic of the season :)
All the best Jan
I love Selfridge's! I always think of it as the Bloomingdales of London.
It would have been very different just to see the pictures and not have that glorious video! Brought me back to when I was a kid. We used to drive to downtown Minneapolis to walk around the Dayton's store (that took up an entire block) to look at each of the many windows that were decorated and had moving parts. Each window had a different scene and we were mesmerized. Had to make it all the way around the building no matter how cold it was. Think A Christmas Story movie without the sales pitches in the windows--lol! More like Selfridges--just sweet Christmas scenes--but not nearly as magical, I think. Even though they were absolutely magical to us back in the 50s. The store wasn't even open late at night, but they had the windows lit up and moving for people to come all during the holidays and they came in throngs. I don't think they did this until after Thanksgiving, though--lol!
Oh, and they also decorated an entire floor (eighth floor) for seeing Santa, too. They also had some animated displays there, too, and the theme changed every year. I remember one year had the Grinch when that was a brand new book by Dr. Suess. Just googled it--1957 it was published. I would have been six years old. You really brought a smile to my face today. Things I haven't thought about for a long, long time. Thanks! :)
What a special place to visit as Christmas approaches. Nice photos, Jeanie.
London goes nuts for
Christmas! I miss that! Thank you for the video! I would have come away with the Queen and Charles and a corgi I reckon!
Maybe even better than Frankenmuth where I was impressed one summer. I don't know if it is still like that there. It was a long time ago.
The Christmas decorations are just so plentiful and extravagant to look at. What a great vibe
I'd love to wander through Selfridges at Christmas time. Fun to look at, if a bit overwhelming.
That bought back memories! Mum and I used to go up to London every year when I was still young enough to want to see Santa at Selfridges and see all the Christmas things. Great Pictures, very Christmassy.
My sister talks of her visits to Frankenmunth(not sure of the correct spelling). She would go gaga for Selfridges
Wow, what a magical experience at Selfridges! The Christmas village and Nutcracker display are just stunning. I can only imagine how amazing it must be to walk through those festive aisles. Thanks for sharing this holiday magic!
How amazing! Thank you for posting those lovely pictures and for giving me a new phrase - fiscally faint-hearted!
I just think of all the work spent designing and creating all those displays..it must be tiring but satisfying in the end.or perhaps relief in the end!
How lovely to see all those decorations in Selfridgies. You would never get me out of there. I’m glad you popped one in there of you, especially in your element . I would most definitely be right there along with you. Super post Jeanie :)
How beautiful! And, yes, expensive. I loved the trees and the village. Good for you that you could enjoy this experience.
How magical it all looks Jeanie. I enjoyed the video as well of the village. The time spent to assemble these displays must have taken quite a while. Thanks for the tour at Selfridgies.
Jeanie, how amazing it all looks. That can put one in the Christmas spirit even in October. I am afraid I would be tempted to spend too much money. Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Sunday!
I’m glad you were able to see this Christmas display! There are so many things I would be tempted to buy but getting them home in one piece would be tough!! I was in NYC last month but it was too early to see all the Christmas decorations like the Rockefeller tree. I was tempted to go into Manhattan this week when I am in NJ but I think it would be too much on top of my meetings during the day. I’d love to go to Manhattan with the boys when they are older so they can see the tree and all the window decorations and such. It’s so fun to see all the amazing decorations!
I follow a UK IG and her sights of London are out of this world.She lives in Norfolk.THE BEAUTY of it all.Oh my goodness..My little town is decked up too..and a fab market resides here..This weekend is the last..Paris looks wow too!
I've never visited Selfridges, and remind me I better ( well maybe not) visit when this Christmas area is set up. Wow. What a cool display. And I loved your movie. They talk about Christmas markets in parts of Europe, and this looks as enchanting as what I read about those markets. Thanks for the holiday cheer on this snowy morning. hugs-Erika
I think that would be a bit too much for this easily overstimulated reader, but I might escape with a corgi!
Such a magical store full of Christmas joy. I love the Christmas villages and the gingerbread. The trees look so beautiful all adorned differently. Thanks for sharing Jeanie. Merry Christmas.
How Glorious...I hope you snagged a few. We often buy ornaments from trips...and those trees are so much fun, I love themed trees. Hugs, and what a great share!!!Sandi
A Christmas treasure trove!!
Jenna
It would be fun visiting Selfridges any time of the year but especially during the Christmas season. Karen (Back Road Journal)
I'd take one look inside that store and turn around -- it's just too much for me. Every year my Christmas decorating becomes simpler: subtracting, rather than adding. But it's clearly your element, so I'm glad you had the chance to enjoy this. I do still hang a couple of special felted ornaments on my tree -- no way those are going to get 'subtracted'!
Christmas before Thanksgiving is a no no! It’s all about marketing. I guess our Macy’s is our version of their Selfridges.. I think Selfridge is is a bit higher end! Thanks for taking me there because I’m sure I will never get there on my own. Enjoy your day.
What an extravaganza of Christmas decorations! I'm surprised you didn't spend days and days revisiting some of those exhibits -- how did you ever find the strength to turn your gaze elsewhere?
For the record, I LOVELOVELOVE that skating rink! What fun! (Although, like others here, I'm not sure if I would have been ready for it all back in October...)
Also, I'm terribly behind on everything (including commenting), but I came across a writing prompt today from the Isolation Journals from someone who had knit an Emotional Support Chicken called Yolko Ono, which I thought you might appreciate: https://theisolationjournals.substack.com/i/152576958/prompt-something-about-a-chicken-by-linda-gallalee
And then, because the article mentioned that the pattern was adapted from one originally designed for felting, I looked up the original on Ravelry, which looks quite darling as well: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/henrietta-and-family-ft209
Hope all is well with you -- looking forward to seeing your own Christmas celebrations!
What an epic shop!
You look wonderful.
Enchanting and in your element, indeed! Thanks for the video which captures the moving parts! What a wonderland. You were like a child in a candy store. 😉
Sorry we didn't make it to any of London's major department stores when we visited last year and didn't know HOW early the holiday decos were set up. The ones at Selfridges were lovely to see, jeanie, and for sure we would really like to see these and the ones at Harrod's on a future visit. Thanks for the video too.
Oh Jeanie thanks for the tour! That village is amazing and had some really unique pieces! Merry Christmas!
I love the idea of a non-edible gingerbread house. I've never seen one, but I'd love to own one.
I'm loving the baubles, the late Queen and the King are stunning.
We always used to go and see the Christmas windows at Selfridges. Some years they've been incredibly imaginative. I don't think they were that great last year but December's rushing by and we haven't looked at any of them yet! Thanks for the reminder to take a look at Christmas in the big stores!
While it seems a lot for October it does look magical.
I love it.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Wow, what a Christmas wonderland. It would be difficult to resist buying something.
That is so pretty! I love the Christmas village and the gingerbread houses. I haven't done any Christmas decorating this year, so it was nice to see this. Thank you for sharing.
i love christmas...everything about it. this store is so festive and i would love a nice long walk through here. there are stores here, in specialty markets, that are christmas year round. there is no better time to shop for christmas items than october...less crowds!! and i enjoy bringing home some special gifts from my trips!!
What a darling post! I have spent many happy hours in London pre Christmas. I believe there is an ornament for everyone if you look hard enough!
Someone commented about Christmas on sale too early, well it gives tourists in October the opportunity to buy! We once had overseas visitors asking if we had NT Christmas cards at Easter!
I love how colorful it is! Thank you for sharing with us: we don't have anything like this here (many in NY). Love it.
www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
What beautiful photos! That really brings out the festive mood.
What a grand shop! It was right up my alley, as I love to browse through decorated Christmas shops. This one is so festive and creative with all their decor. That carousel looks like a vintage toy, love that. I have a thing for Nutcrackers, so this section would have got to me. Those stockings are delightful, especially the checkered one. I bet you loved that tree with the felted lovelies. What a magical shop this is, Jeanie. And a sweet picture of you by the most beautiful tree. That one looks like it has lots of purples, which I love. Thanks for sharing, Jeanie. I enjoyed this post.
~Sheri
Oh, that is so beautiful! I'd love to see it in person. Thank you for sharing!
Cat
Visiting from Comfy Cozy Christmas
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
That does look so wonderfully festive!
What a treat to enjoy Christmas early in Selfridges. I think I would have been beside myself with glee, as I am sure you were.
I wanna go! I would be in heaven in that shop. All those ornaments...I have that soldier/guard one, somewhere. I think I missed getting it on the tree this year.
Thank you for this fantastic tour!
Oh my goodness!!! This is so amazing. Billy would have had to physically remove me from that room, it is so colorful and happy!
Lovely
What an amazing tour!! Loved it.
I must say that the Christmas display at Selfridges is spectacular and I can just imagine how excited you were to be there. Thanks for all the wonderful fun photos.
Simply marvelous!
Jeannie ~ You sure look happy ~ found 'your happy place' ~ just Wow! ~ thanks, Happy Holidays to you and your family ~ hugs,
Wishing you good health, love and laughter in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I don't do Christmas, but all of these photos are so pretty, especially the last one. Thank you for sharing with FFO
This brought back memories of my childhood. Growing up in a suburb of Detroit, my mother would take us to the old J.L.Hudson to see Santa and all the joy and wonder that filled my eyes. We would also go to the Ford Rotunda which would be decked out for the holidays.
Jeanie, I am a bit late to the party as I so often am, but I loved this post. I can almost imagine you walking the aisles in awe of everything. I have loved the TV show about Selfridges and always remember it..Merry Christmas to you and Rick..xxoJudy
This shop looks like it was just made for you, Jeanie!
Here I am again looking at your visit to the famous Selfridges of London, WOW! what a glorious display of Christmas trees with all kinds of beautiful baubles in the entrance, and inside the store every sort of decoration and the socks are so much fun, and everything looks so festive. I love Christmas and would love to saunter around this store looking for a bird ornament for our tree, although I think I did see one coloured blue. Lovely photo of you and super post.
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