Welcome
One thing about the Northern Hemisphere that we don’t get in Australia, is that it's dark so early, so Christmas lights are a BIG THING here.
From about 3:30pm some days, the lights are on and by the time it’s dark, around 4pm on a cloudy day, the streets and buildings are glistening and twinkling with lights that truly do look magical.
This issue is packed with Christmas lights and decorations for you to enjoy as a small sample of what there is.
I hope you have a wonderful day, no matter where or how you celebrate.
Michelle
Savvy Travel Historian
December - Christmas in the UK
The celebration of Christmas in the United Kingdom has a rich history that dates back to the pre-Christian era, with midwinter festivals marking the winter solstice. The holiday was later Christianised and dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ.
During the Middle Ages, Christmas became a time of conspicuous consumption and merriment. The twelve days of Christmas were celebrated with feasts, masques, and the appointment of a 'Lord of Misrule' who presided over the festivities.
However, the 16thC and 17thC saw a period of decline in Christmas celebrations, as Puritanical influences, particularly during the Civil War period under Oliver Cromwell, sought to ban Christmas festivities, viewing them as pagan and unchristian. It wasn't until the Victorian era that Christmas as we know it began to develop.
Influenced by the writings of Charles Dickens, whose ‘A Christmas Carol’ emphasised generosity and goodwill, Victorian Britons adopted many of the customs we associate with the holiday today.
The Victorians reinstated the importance of family, charity, and the spirit of good cheer, reviving old traditions and introducing new ones, such as the Christmas tree – a custom brought from Germany by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband.
The first Christmas card was sent in 1843, and the practice quickly became popular. Carols, which had always been sung during winter, were now firmly linked to the Christmas season, and many of today's favourite carols date from this period.
Christmas in Oxfordshire - Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is the only ‘palace’ in the UK not owned by the Royal family.
Built between 1705 and 1722 as a gift to John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim, it was a token of the nation’s gratitude.
Despite financial and political challenges, including interrupted royal funding, the palace was completed largely due to the efforts of the Churchill family.
Today, it stands as a family home, a mausoleum, a national monument, and is perhaps best known as the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
The Palace also hosts a light trail every year which involves walking around the vast estate, with lights within the gardens.
And reflected onto the Palace itself.
Details of each years specific Christmas theme (they change yearly) and to purchase tickets, can be found here:
https://www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/christmas/
General information on visiting Blenheim can be found on the following link:
https://www.blenheimpalace.com/
Christmas in Scotland
In 2021 we were in Edinburgh the week before Christmas and although we didn’t see snow, it was still an enjoyable trip.
The Royal Mile shops were decorated for Christmas, some in very traditional Scottish style.
Edinburgh Castle had a large number of beautifully decorated trees that we could see throughout the tour of the Castle.
Different rooms had different colour themes.
Information on visiting the castle can be found here.
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/
Royal Yacht Britannia
Visiting Scotland in December meant that we were also able to see the Royal Yacht Britannia all decked out for Christmas.
The home away from home for Her Late Majesty the Queen and her family for many years the yacht is now a museum and restaurant. Well worth a visit when you are in Edinburgh.
Voted the Number 1 travel destination in the UK for 2023.
https://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/visit/
Christmas in London
The tradition of Christmas street decorations in London has evolved into an iconic symbol, drawing visitors from around the world. The origins of outdoor Christmas decorations in the city can be traced back to the Victorian era when shopkeepers began adorning their windows with seasonal displays to entice customers.
However, it wasn't until the 20th century that the concept of lighting up streets and public spaces became widespread.
The practice gained momentum post-World War II, as part of efforts to bring cheer and boost morale amidst the austerity and rationing of the times.
Regent Street pioneered the display of Christmas lights in 1954, setting a precedent that would be adopted by streets across the city.
Oxford Street followed, with its first Christmas lights in 1959.
These early displays were modest, featuring simple garlands of bulbs. Over the years, the decorations became more elaborate, incorporating themes, animated figures, and increasingly sophisticated technology.
Some stores are a ‘must see’, like Fortnum & Mason’s, which this year had their store decorated like an Advent Calendar.
Harrods
Although Harrods’ facade is under construction this year, we have been past in a previous year to see it lit up.
Even the side streets of Harrods are decorated by the store.
Leicester Square
London’s Leicester Square has a market set up that is enjoyed by children and adults alike.
There are also live shows, with food and drink outlets.
Covent Garden
The iconic Christmas tree which stands as a dazzling centrepiece for the historic plaza, in the home of the theatre district in London, was grown in Britain and stands at 60 feet tall, and is adorned with over 30,000 lights.
Visitors can explore a selection of food from around the world, boutique brands, bespoke stalls, and the artsy Apple Market, all under the beautiful lights.
Covent Garden's streets and the iconic Market Building are adorned with over 40 gigantic bells and numerous other decorations. This year, there's an emphasis on sustainability, with the lights designed to be eco-friendly.
The Strand
The Strand starts at Trafalgar Square and goes all the way to the Waterloo Bridge and was decorated in a blue and gold theme this year.
Old & New Bond Street
The Christmas lights on New Bond Street in London are a must-see during the festive season. This year particularly, they are truly spectacular.
The display continues the royal theme introduced last year, featuring large, majestic crowns at key junctions along the street, inspired by The Imperial State Crown (apt within a Coronation year).
These are accompanied by shimmering lights and shapes, creating a radiant atmosphere akin to being surrounded by glittering jewelry. The gateways at either end of Bond Street are adorned with sparkling gold, silver, and pearl lights, offering a tiara-like welcome to visitors.
This display is not only a visual treat but also an eco-friendly one. It utilizes 93,652 LED lights, which are more sustainable than standard lights, achieving an efficiency saving of 75%.
The materials used for the structures and decorations are all 100% recyclable, and measures have been taken to reduce energy consumption by limiting the hours of illumination.
Adding to the festive cheer, Bond Street also features The Ralph Lauren Giving Tree in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. This initiative, which debuted last year, allows visitors to make donations and dedicate personalised ornaments on the tree.
Bond Street's Christmas lights are a glittering and glamorous addition to those around the other major streets in London.
I hope that you have enjoyed this small taste of lights around the United Kingdom as we almost reach the end of the year.
Merry Christmas
Michelle is a speaker, author, content marketer, historian and mother of 3 boys.
After 25 years in business and as the ‘Content Marketing Queen’ for the past 12 years, she has helped countless small businesses understand and develop their content strategies and focus on a customer first approach.
Savvy Travel Historian is her passion project, and her weekly newsletter is available on Substack, Paragraph and Mirror. The latter two allows you to collect each Issue as an NFT.
Michelle is co-host of the Business on the Bloc podcast, a weekly show which talks about the digital media revolution and how it applies to B2B marketing, sales and operations. The show is recorded live every Wednesday at 4pm EST/ 9pm UTC on LinkedIn, YouTube & Bolt+.
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