Yes, decorating your venue for the festive season might seem like an obvious routine come December. But as with everything these days, putting a few baubles on a tree or throwing some tinsel around simply won’t cut it.
According to research done by e-tailer Christmas Tree World, one in 10 surveyed said they choose their venue based on whether the Christmas tree and decorations would make a good backdrop for a photo.
No less than one million people showed up to see (read: capture with their smartphones) the switching on of
Oxford Street’s Christmas lights this year. Even
Selfridge’s department store on
Oxford Street was early with revealing its ‘rock n roll’-themed Christmas window display in late October.
What do these sites have in common? They're all over Instagram, which is important, as having decorations that encourage photography can have a really positive impact on business. One in five of the surveyed said they would share their images on social media and with friends, which means there is potential for increased brand exposure.
The Connaught is another venue known for going big with its Christmas tree, located outside the entrance. Last year, a Norwegian spruce was given a poetic spangle – quite literally – as artist Tracey Emin decorated it with neon-lit words, spelling out a poem of love. Minimal yet effective. This year, the Irish artist Michael Craig-Martin will work his magic on it, but we won’t know what it is until 22 November.
The huge Christmas tree in Hogwarts’ Grand Hall evokes childhood nostalgia for many
Harry Potter-loving Britons over the festive period.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London has made a great effort of bringing it to life. This year, the theme is ‘Yule Ball’ from
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, so the whole place has been given an ‘icy’ makeover.
Normally a tropical paradise,
Tropicana Beach Club will be playing it cool this year with its winter pop-up ‘The Big Freeze’. Beach cabanas and sand will be replaced by snow-clad huts and a frozen-lagoon dancefloor.
Claridge’s is a byword for timeless glamour, and so is its famous Christmas tree. Last year, it invaded Instagram with its upside down instalment, created by Karl Lagerfeld. This Christmas, the luxury Mayfair hotel’s tree will be designed by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, but details of what it will be haven’t been released yet. We will have to wait until the last week of November to find out.
Photo James Bryant
London’s most well-known courtyard not only has the classiest ice rink in town (Skate), it also has one of the prettiest Christmas trees. A 40ft-tall tree covered in baubles and hampers from
Fortnum & Mason towers over the
Somerset House rink. Last year’s tree certainly contributed to the venue winning Best Christmas Venue in the London Venue Awards this year.
Museum of London promises to transport guests back to London’s great frost fairs of the 18th and 19th centuries this year. Inspired by a time when Londoners could play on the frozen River Thames, the museum will be dressed with bunting, Punch and Judy stands and traditional market stalls.
Aqua Shard’s annual Christmas tree is this year created in collaboration with world-renowned multi-sensory design studio, Bompas & Parr. ‘Snowscape’ takes inspiration from ornamental snow globes and takes advantage of
The Shard’s angular shapes. The result? A giant frosty tree with swirling snow inside. Wild branches will reach up through the atrium and will be surrounded by a natural forest base foliage. Guests will also be able to interact with Snowscape, by reaching inside the structure to catch a golden snowflake and be entered to win a cocktail or a private dining experience. Pictured above is last year's tree.
The giant mine field that is client gifts. We've got you sorted with the best ones for both 'corporate' types here and 'cosmopolitan' types here