Lighted boxes decorate Cartier for Christmas on London’s Bond Street.
Sometimes we arrive at a hotel, put our things down, and head to the Concierge Lounge to get a bite to eat. And that’s what happened on a chilly December afternoon when we arrived at London’s Grosvenor House: A JW Marriott Hotel (a spectacular place to stay, by the way). But after a snack and quick drink, we were ready to see London, so we donned coats and boots and headed out the door, having no itinerary or idea what lay ahead of us.
Hanging above Bond Street, these sparkling orbs marked the spot for Christmas finery.
We were attracted by a sparkling orb dangling over a nearby intersection, so we turned down another side street not far from the hotel only to find ourselves in the middle of Bond Street where shoppers of means, no doubt, purchase goods for themselves or for gifts.
Shoppers on Bond Street — enjoying the lights and windows!
A lone street musician added sounds of the season to our window shopping excursion on Bond Street.
That night, however, shops were already closed, and those of us out for the evening found delight not in shopping but in peering into beautifully staged and lighted windows and soaking up sights and sounds. It was the Christmas in London we came to see — over-the-top designs, patterns, and accessories on one glitzy street.
Although shops were closed (It must have been around 9:00 PM), Gucci stood out. Well lit inside and out, Gucci was astir with hush-hush conversations. We knew something was up. First, we noticed a Maserati parked near the door behind a black stretch limo. Across the street, men in dark glasses stood firmly on the corner — feet apart, arms folded, ever vigilant. Was someone special — rock star? actress? Londoner? — inside doing a little personal shopping after hours? Oh, how we wanted to know — but never did.
Quite the stir at Gucci, the only shop open after hours on London’s Bond Street.
A few city dwellers were out and about — window shopping, strolling babies or walking dogs. A lone delivery man pedaling for Deliveroo parked his bike and searched for the correct address.
A Deliveroo box sits empty on the back of a bike — parked while the driver makes a delivery.
But other than that, it was just another glamorous evening on Bond Street where white lights and glowing windows said Christmas — London style. What a find!
Programmed lights fanned out over and over again, bringing London’s Bond Street to life.
Thanks for following our travails in London. For more short posts, click on Postcards from England: Christmas 2016 . Hope you enjoy traveling with us! — Rusha and Bert