The festive period is in full swing and the Citizen Femme team’s calendar is filled with exciting things to do this December.
Including places to eat and stay, plus things to buy, watch and try – this is the ultimate inspiration to see you through the month.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
BOOK The calligraphy masterclass with Montblanc at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair. A mother-daughter treat, I’m taking my mum along with me. KEEP FIT With Bryony Deery’s pre-natal pilates challenge for the month of December. It’s easy to take on my travels too. USE My new LYMA laser, it’s so handy and easy to use – so I’ll be packing it in my suitcase everywhere I go. DECORATE WITH The Selfridges’ Christmas shop decorations, which are incredible. I’ll put aside some time to pick up some treats for my tree. VISIT I’m trading in hot chocolate for cocktails, and snow for white sand beaches when I head back to the Caribbean later this month. St. Barts has a delightful Christmas Village in Gustavia, which runs from 3 – 20 December every year. In St Maarten, there are weekly Christmas serenades, a flоаt parade in Grаnd-Cаѕе, and in Marigot – near all the fab shopping – there are parades, giant puppets, muѕiс аnd hоlidау mаrkеtѕ. WEAR My new very warm MaxMara goose-down parka jacket is keeping me toastie on frequent escapades to Winter Wonderland – it was a very good purchase from a trip to Bicester Village. For sunny beach days, I’ll be wearing BONDI BORN – with linens to dresses and swimwear, it has it all. SEE There are a couple of great shows I’m catching this December: Nicholas Hytner’s Guys & Dolls at The Bridge Theatre, for what is one of the greatest musicals of all time; and WHY AM I SO SINGLE? Single or not, this is an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza about love, dating and friendship that I’ve been told is absolutely worth seeing. CHRISTMAS DRINKS Two Michelin-starred Gymkhana has a new cocktail lounge. Named 42, it’s as sexy as you’d expect, with an innovative cocktail list with an Indian twist.
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Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
STAY In Athens, for all of December. I’ll be here for Christmas and am looking forward to ice skating at SNFCC, as well as attending one of Pullman Club’s events; they host dinners across the city – everywhere from art galleries to a reused and repurposed 1920s Orient Express carriage. ENJOY The 150 years renewal signature massage at Hotel Grand Bretagne. The hotel turns 150 years old in 2024, and has designed this treatment to celebrate – it’s also just a very festive place to be during December. EAT Lots of kourabiedes, a traditional shortbread-like Christmas sweet in Greece made with butter, almonds, sugar and flour, then dusted with icing sugar. READ White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Eastern, which portrays the trials and tribulations of a young Korean girl moving to 1920s Japan. The book is inspired by Easton’s grandmother’s life, and was published this week. WATCH My one guilty pleasure: the shamelessly cheesy Christmas movies on Netflix. You won’t catch me watching anything remotely similar January through November, but my rules are thrown out during December. ‘Tis the season!
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Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
STAY I’m still hoping to squeeze in a short trip to a Christmas market abroad, and considering Strasbourg is home to one of Europe’s oldest (and it is a short hop from London), it’s top of my wishlist. I’d stay at Hotel Les Haras as it is so central, meaning there will be even more time to search out unique baubles and other trinkets that make pretty gifts to friends and family. BUY A new pair of elegant (but warm!) gloves. I love cycling around London at this time of year, seeing all the lights as I go – but it can be rough on your hands. I’ve been layering on lots of hand cream to fight dryness, but have my eye on these cosy-yet-chic leather gloves from Aspinal of London. ATTEND Carols At The Hall at the Royal Albert Hall. There’s nothing more festive than hearing Christmas songs sung in such an iconic venue. In fact, I’ll be trying to attend as many carol concerts and festive events as possible throughout December – there are so many great ones in London. EAT At the stunning Fifty Cheyne in Chelsea. The traditional Sunday lunches are worth experiencing any week of the year, but the three-course Christmas menu takes things up a notch. I also love the family-style sharing menu concept, which means you don’t ever have to struggle with food envy. WATCH Robert Icke’s Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre, starring award-winning actors, Mark Strong and Lesley Manville. The modern iteration of Sophocles’ Ancient Greek tragedy whereby Oedipus kills his father and marries his mother has been given new, explosive thriller-like life for the 21st Century. Be quick though – it’s only on until the end of January.
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Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
WEAR I love to dress up, so all the Christmas parties are right up my street. This year I’ve added a stunning sequin skirt from Wiggy Kit to my festive wardrobe along with a new cocktail ring from Mejuri and an oversized tuxedo jacket from H&M. EAT I have some lovely Christmas traditions that I recreate with my friends every December, including a fun shopping day and afternoon tea (at The Cadogan this year); a charity carol concert and then dinner at Daphne’s (the most beautifully decorated restaurant in London); and a lovely breakfast at The Wolseley. HOST At my Christmas party I’ll be serving drinks on a gorgeous bamboo tray from the new Sims Hilditch and Chelsea Textiles collab. It’s so chic – especially with these little cocktail napkins from Rebecca Udall. USE We are travelling a lot over the festive period, so I’ll be using these great packing cubes. Everyone has their own set in an attempt to make packing and repacking more organised! We’ll see how it goes… GIFT Anyone looking for a chic and thoughtful last minute gift should check out Compton Marbling. I recently came across them at a Christmas Fair in Wiltshire and they have the most wonderful selection of home accessories. The matchbox covers are my faves. PLAN I’m heading back to New York next year and would love to stay at the newly refurbished Waldorf Astoria that will be welcoming guests again from spring 2025.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
STAY At Corinthia London for a truly spoiling and magical experience that’ll unfold from the moment I step through the bauble-bedecked doors. From festive feasting at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill to a spoiling spa treatment from the hotel’s new spa partner, Augustinus Bader, I can’t think of a more decadent way to celebrate Christmas than right here in the capital. BUY This cashmere-blend duster coat with matching scarf from Almada Label is a seriously chic pairing for winter. DRINK Champagne! ‘Tis the season for fizz and I’ll be bringing in Christmas and New Year’s Eve with a glass of Perrier- Jouët in hand. BEAUTY A pre-Christmas visit to the hairdressers is vital to add some life back to my dull blonde locks. No one does blonde better than the team at Larry King, who manage to perfectly balance natural, sun-kissed colour while maintaining the hair’s condition. No mean feat where bleach is concerned! EAT At Julie’s in Holland Park, which is the place to be this festive season. I’ll be raising a glass with friends (mine’s the house Negroni), while dining on freshly shucked oysters and the catch of the day in this buzzy west London spot. VISIT I’m hoping to catch the Christmas lights at Windsor Great Park Illuminated. Back for its fourth year, the woodland, lakes and ponds are all brought to life with dazzling light installations.
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
WATCH I’m obsessed with Elena Ferrante, so am so happy that the final series of My Brilliant Friend has arrived on NowTV. As a diehard fan of the Neapolitan novels, I was skeptical about the TV adaptation but it’s superlatively good. An epic story about the friendship between two working-class girls growing up in post-war Naples, it raises uncomfortable questions about motherhood, love, family and politics. It’s the best series I’ve watched in years. LISTEN Comedian and a friend of mine, Harriet Kemsley, recently launched a podcast with Amy Gledhill called Single Ladies In Your Area, and I have been merrily laughing my way through every episode. It looks at the highs and lows of being single in your 30s, and is full of so many astute observations and hilarious anecdotes. It’s such a mood-boosting tonic for the commute. I’m also really into Bella Freud’s new podcast, Fashion Neurosis, in which she interviews her fashion friends about their relationship to style. The episode with Zadie Smith was particularly good. BUY I’ve recently succumbed to an Astley Clarke locket, which I’ve attached to a charm bracelet given to me by my dad as a wedding gift. The brand does a great service where they’ll print the photos you want inside and give you copies in case you lose them. I have a picture of my son on one side and my husband on the other, it’s such a thoughtful gift for someone you really love this Christmas. EAT I’m heading to Yasmin, an Istanbul-inspired restaurant in Soho, to try their Middle Eastern dishes. The cocktails look incredible too. WISH LIST I also have my eye on a pair of tie-up ballerina flats from Sézane’s new collaboration with Maria de la Orden – Santa, if you’re reading…
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Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
STAY I’m heading to Chamonix for a ski trip with the girls, and I couldn’t be more excited for a week packed with snowy slopes, après-ski, and cosy chalet vibes. BOOK I’m booking us into QC Terme Chamonix for an afternoon of relaxation after a morning on the slopes; it’s the perfect treat to help us warm up and unwind. BUY I’ve been hunting for the perfect ski fit that’s both practical and stylish, and everything from Perfect Moment is calling my name – bold patterns, ultra-warm, and super chic. I have my eye on this ski suit and beanie to keep warm. EAT At Roketsu. This is the spot in London for an unreal Japanese dining experience. Their nine-course Kaiseki menu changes every month, so everything is super fresh and seasonal. The whole vibe is authentic Japanese, from the food to the ambience – it’s such a cool, sensory experience; one of those places you’ll be thinking about long after you’ve left. WATCH Cross, a new must-watch crime thriller on Amazon Prime. Based on James Patterson’s acclaimed crime-fiction novels, the series stars Aldis Hodge as Alex Cross, a detective specialising in tracking serial killers. Season one is packed with tension as Cross juggles the murder of a community activist and the unsolved killing of his wife a year earlier. I watched it all in one sitting!
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Alex Carello, Head of PR
DRINK At newly opened member’s club Tramp. With a beautiful refurbishment by Campbell Rey this is where you will find me this Christmas. WEAR Marks & Spencer’s knitwear is so good right now. This little cardigan is so cute. WISH For my Christmas jumper of dreams from one of my favourite brands, High Sport. BOOK A festive evening out at the theatre – I’m going to see The Devil Wears Prada and I am so excited for it. STAY At Cliveden House – for me, no festive season is complete without a stay here. It’s one of my favourite hotels and I have been going since I was a child. Sitting in the bar, overlooking the grounds is one of my favourite spots to be.
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Sheila Victorio, Partnerships: Restaurants, Food & Drink
EAT A Chinese teahouse brunch, Infinite Yum Cha at Yauatcha City – their menu features endless steamed, fried and baked dimsum. I love their succulent pork and prawn shui mai, prawn cheung fun, har gar and seafood black truffle. WATCH My ultimate Saturday night is watching Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1 followed by I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here on ITV1. Nothing can part me from my couch and a tub of Celebrations chocolates on these cold wintery nights. VISIT One of my favourite places in town – The Roof Gardens in Kensington. This legendary spot has been reinvented and is filled with olive gardens, wild flowers and art deco charm. READ Postal Bakes by Lucy Burton. I’m not the greatest baker (although I have perfected the apple crumble), but with the aid of this book I’m slowly getting there. Lucy sends over 60 simple-but-decadent recipes through the post, including all your favourites like fudgy brownies, cookie slabs and sponge cakes. DRINK At The Bloomsbury Club Bar; my favourite place for after-work drinks. Order the sparkling and citrus Manu cocktail – it’s one of the bar’s most popular cocktails on the new menu; fashioned from Belvedere 10 Vodka, fig sauternes, honey, vanilla and champagne. Tuesday to Saturday they host jazz night, with live performances from upcoming artists.
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Lucy Halfhead, Content & Partnerships Director
STAY I’m looking to Landmark Trust for a characterful wintery staycation with friends at one of their historic houses or cosy cottages. BUY Gail’s new gift hampers, the After Dinner Box and the Long Weekend Box are packed with favourites like mince pies and ginger loaf cake, plus I can’t resist their pistachio and lemon panettone. DRINK At Covent Garden speakeasy Oriole to find sunshine vibes – warming winter cocktails and Latin American fare are soundtracked by live music. EAT ‘Tis the season for hot chocolate and crêpes so I’m checking out Italian cocoa connoisseur Venchi’s offering at their Soho shop. LISTEN To a Candlelight Concert. A classical quartet performing carols at Glaziers Hall is the ultimate festive date night. BOOK One Christmas lunch is never enough, so I’ve booked in to The Cavendish, Marylebone for a pre-Christmas day lunch of tasty dishes such as orange and beetroot-cured salmon and turkey breast with all the trimmings.
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Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
EAT At Claro London, a beautiful Mediterranean kitchen, recently opened in a stunning Neo-Georgian building – tall arched windows and ceiling stuccos included. Near St James’s Place, it serves up elegant, seasonal plates via monthly-changing menus. I have my eye on the brunch menu which offers crowd-pleasing classics like French toast with fresh berries, as well as a breakfast tray for two including eggs any style, mixed vegetable salads, baked goods, labneh, and more. The cocktail pairing looks tempting too. DRINK Meeting friends for a festive cocktail after work in London is one of my favourite ways to enjoy the Christmas magic. Three Sheets (with spots in Soho and Dalston) is a cosy spot for a very good martini. BROWSE You can’t get more nineties minimalist or naughties-flirt than a Kate Moss outfit, so I am very excited to explore the new Zara x Kate Moss collection. GIFT While giving back is important throughout the year, the festive period is a special reminder of why it’s so meaningful. When shopping for presents I’ll order from Better World Books where possible; they donate a book for every book sold. Crisis who help get people off the streets are also looking for volunteers this winter. DO I love anything to do with florals, which means wreath making is always high on my Christmas to-do list. The beautiful (and very photographed) florist at Liberty’s grand entrance, Wild At Heart, is hosting classes across three Wednesdays this December, featuring stunning seasonal greenery and flowers.
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