Harry Rosehill

The Best Of This Year's London Christmas Windows

Christmas shopping is a painful experience. Struggling through central London, fearing the crush of people and weighed down by bags, everyone needs something to lift the experience. That's where Christmas windows come in. They paint a picture of what Christmas should be and remind us all why we go through the same struggle each year. Check out some of this year's best below:

Fortnum and Mason

Selfridges

A be-sequinned Santa takes centre stage of the Selfridges' display — and after all, who knows more about staying up late than Santa? In a glitzy set up, he brings the vibe wherever he goes, including a private jet and a, er, hot tub.

Selfridges

Selfridges' Christmas windows are a year in the making; watch this video demonstrating the effort that goes into their displays.

Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum and Mason have themed their displays around 'togetherness.' This might be good to bear in mind when you and your family are at each other's throats on Christmas Day afternoon. We particularly enjoy their take on a bull in a china shop:

A very polite bull in a china shop

Harrods

Harrods have teamed up with Burberry this year. Between them, they've dreamed up a wonderful selection of Christmas scenes. And, by using motion sensors, visitors can experiment with different lighting and music, bringing these delightful scenes to life.

Harrods

Liberty

Liberty have gone for a Nutcracker theme, in conjunction with the Royal Opera House's current run of the legendary Christmas tale. Each window retells a different scene from the ballet. Head down to catch a glimpse of the Sugar Plum Fairy and pals.

Liberty

Harvey Nichols

Harvey Nichols have blended together British and Italian styles for this year's Christmas windows. The result is 'Britalia', a luxurious mash-up that sees mannequins adorned in the finest British and Italian luxury brands.

Harvey Nichols at night

There's also a playful day and night theme; the sleepy moon keeps guard overnight (washing the windows in deep blue), while a joyous yellow sun brightens up displays in the day. The Harvey Nichols windows took a whopping 1,500 man hours to install — so it's good to see that the mannequins are enjoying themselves.

Harvey Nichols mannequins getting a bit cheeky

House of Fraser

House of Fraser on Oxford Street, have also taking a luxurious tack this year. Prepare yourself for a bedazzling with their bright lights and elegant mannequins, living an otherworldly festive meal.

House of Fraser on Oxford Street

John Lewis

John Lewis on Oxford Street have tied this year's windows into their new Christmas television advert in a smart piece of synergy. Still, even the cynical will find joy in their animal filled Christmas windows.

John Lewis

These are just a few of the Christmas window displays London has to offer. We'll update this article with more as they're unveiled.