You would think that a shop selling only Christmas paraphenalia would have a hard time surviving. I thought so the first time I laid eyes on The Christmas Shop, but that was 15 years ago and the shop is still there. It’s part of the Hays Galleria on the Tooley Street end so it must be doing a good trade too because I’d think the rent on a prime piece of real estate like that wouldn’t be cheap!

If you like Christmas then this place is definitely worth a visit. It’s crammed full of beautiful tree decorations, stockings, candles and ornaments and cards. I visit annually just before the time comes to make the house look festive and always come away with some beautiful trinkets.

I have also stopped in to have a look during my lunch-hour these past few months and the visits always pick me up if I’ve had a particularly stressful morning. I’m clearly not alone in my thinking either as there have always been several other customers in the shop when I’ve visited.