From twinkling festive shows to cosy knit-wear, from UK escapes to delightful moments of self-care, these recommendations capture the season’s spirit and deliver exactly what you and your kids need and want.
From exciting outings to snug moments indoors, shared discoveries and the chance to indulge a little, we’ve curated a November full of magic, comfort and discovery — for the whole family. Dive in.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
BOOK I’m really looking forward to a Wundrful World of Christmas, its our first Christmas adventure for the year and my children are very much deep in the belief of Father Christmas so its all magic right now. Add to this, Winter Wonderland and the Zippos Christmas Circus, Jack and the Beanstalk at Lyric Hammersmith, and The Snowman at Sadler’s Wells and its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. TREAT MYSELF TO I’m a huge fan of reflexology and the Guerlain Spa at Raffles London at The OWO with the incredible Andrea Hurst. Rebalancing the body’s internal systems, restoring harmony across all physical, emotional, and energetic levels, exactly what a busy mum of 3 needs. WEAR I’m really enjoying the ARCH4 cashmere bandana in green, a lovely alternate to a regular scarf. WATCH My daughter is currently obsessed with Rapunzel. Shoreditch art’otel London has a new Film House with a showing of Tangled at the end of the month.
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
@rachelastory
BUY Gigi Hadid’s knitwear label, Guest in Residence, has teamed up with cult childrenswear label Bonpoint for the cutest cashmere knits for winter. WATCH It’s cosy season, and there’s nothing I love more than snuggling up with my little one to watch a Disney movie. We’re excited to bring the big screen experience to our living room with Epson’s portable smart projector. EAT Lola’s have just launched their nationwide cake delivery service, very handily just in time for our son’s third birthday! There are so many great themes to choose from, as well as gluten and dairy-free alternatives. I’ll definitely be taking that route this year, rather than having a baking-related meltdown at the final hour. VISIT Thanks to a very kind birthday gift (for our son) from my in-laws, we’re now annual pass holders to Legoland in nearby Windsor. I’ll be making the most of regular visits and seeing my little one’s face light up – he is already a huge Duplo fan, so I know days out here are going to be a big hit!
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Alexandra Carello, PR Director
VISIT I took my children to the Roman Baths over half term – 2000 years of history under your feet was amazing. They had a special audio recording and trail for children which was lovely and kept them engaged. BUY Mini Boden have done a collaboration with the English National Ballet and it is beautiful – perfect festive party wear. DO We had Ruuby over on Halloween to do the children’s make up and they loved it! Such a special moment that got them really excited and all perfectly appropriate for children. PLAY This Glow in the Dark rock painting kit was a true hit during half term! So fun and engaging. I loved it too! STAY THE PIG- Near Bath was the perfect location for a little country escape. Very welcoming towards children and extremely cosy. We particularly loved the Garden tour, I love the girls knowing where their food comes from. We also found a hedgehog which was a true highlight.
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
DO: It really does feel as if festive season is beginning, so I’m taking the toddler to two Christmas light shows this month – the first in London at Kenwood House in Hampstead for its Peter Pan-themed spectacular, and secondly, back to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve which I visited (and loved) this summer, for its magical-sounding light installations dotted round the park. Apparently, the fairies are hosting a disco and funfair, so we’ll be stopping off there too. VISIT: My son is deeply invested in trains at the moment, so we’re planning a visit to Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, a mini stream train that runs a 14-mile stretch along the Kent coastline. There’s a few Christmas specials over the next few months during which Father Christmas will make an appearance. EAT: The Glassmaker’s Cafe in the new renovated Brockwell Hall is my new favourite place to sink a baby chino with Lenny. Situated in the middle of Brockwell Park, it’s beautiful decorated, family-friendly and has sweeping views over the park. BUY: To eliminate the stress later down the line, I’ve started buying a few of Lenny’s Christmas present, starting with these bath crayons so he can happily scribble away and hopefully not notice I’m trying to brush his teeth.
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Jessica Salter, Citizen Enfants Contributor
STAY I just had the most wholesome weekend at Restaries in Suffolk; you rent beautifully restored farm buildings (with various accommodation sizes to accommodate couples or families) which have full size kitchens, but there’s an option to hire a private chef (which I did). My kids loved the animals on site, from the alpacas to the donkeys, and it was close to Southwold and Aldeburgh for day trips. BUY It’s definitely knitwear season now, and along with this fabulous jumper from Herd, made from English wool and all dyed, spun and knitted within 150 miles, which I’ve been wearing non-stop, I’m really into these cashmere neck ties. They’re so useful at keeping you warm, but also, adding a pop of colour around your face (I have them in multiple colours). TAKE I’m struggling with sleep at the moment (or rather, getting back to sleep after a child wakes me), and while it’s not a magic bullet, I find the combination of Dreem Distillery’s bath salts before bed, then its Night Drops at 3am really helps me: the drops give a lovely grogginess that helps you then relax into sleep – rather than doom scroll. RELAX I’m embracing the change of seasons with a wonderful facialist, Helena founder of Slow Studio, who performs holistic facials from her studio with a bed set up in front of the trees, using natural products and a truly caring touch. I’m also really into infra-red saunas: I’ve been booking a slot at 2pm on a Friday at my local salon, Wild Beauty, to wind-down before I collect my kids from school. BOOK AHEAD I’ve just booked tickets for The Polar Express Train Ride, which I’ve never done before, but is an experience that brings the classic film to life on board a steam train (you can even wear your pyjamas). I can’t wait to see my kids’ faces. I’ve also booked tickets for the Harry Potter studio tour, which from mid November will be transformed into a Christmas experience. Eek. EAT I love eating out – but I find that eating out with little children in tow can be a challenge. Luckily, there is now a growing range of restaurants that want to cater for little ones – either with activity sheets or special menus. I rounded up a host of London restaurants for Citizen Enfants here, because I think taking your kids to enjoy wonderful food and skillful cooking is such a joy.
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