Alright Scrooge, it’s not just you. Ice skating, German Christmas Markets, packed shops and pubs all repeating Slade and Wizzard on a loop. Even if you love Christmas, it’s too much. Most of us simply wish to hack down the month of advertising and power-selling to a simple week off with loved ones and a relaxed Christmas Day. Unfortunately this is too much to ask. You can’t even escape to the dark depths of a pub- or can you? Is it possible to avoid Christmas in London?
Samuel Smiths’ Pubs
Sam Smiths banned music in 2004, so you can be sure warm retro classics or Kathleen Jenkins’ latest incarnation of these will not be polluting the air of glasses, wood panelling and leather. There is even the biblically-named Angel in Holborn so you can assure yourself of partaking in at least a gesture towards the true meaning of Christmas.
That or you can enjoy the Old Brewery Bitter at a mere £3.10 per pint.
Chinatown
Break our obsession with Western tradition by sampling a culture who have their own celebrations at other times of the year, rather than rammed into December. Mr Wu offers all you can eat from a variety of choices for just 6.95. Also consider Canton and Baiwei.
Also, the area is largely restaurants and supermarkets rather than high street retail so the crowds are unlikely to be as dense as in surrounding areas.
Address: 28 Wardour St, London W1D 6QN
Winter Picnic in a Park
Whether for Brunch, Lunch or Dinner, restaurants are full. What’s more they are sure to be literally decked halls of sparkly stuff and the forced happiness of staff overwhelmed and wishing they can finally go home to their own families. Winter picnics are understandably unpopular, but take partners and families wrapped up with a hamper and you are unlikely to fail. You can cook sausage rolls at home and wrap them with foil and an oven glove for a warm feast accompanied by a flask of hot chocolate. If fate is against you and the cold or rain sets in, the tube is only a short walk away.
Some good locations are Regent’s Park and Green Park, Hampstead Heath and Primrose Hill. St James’ will likely be busy and of course Hyde Park is out of the question owing to Winder Wonderland.
The Effortless Christmas Dinner
What’s the best way to subvert the obsession with Christmas? Do it your own way, at home in comfort. Maybe you’re not quite so ‘anti-christmas’, but simply don’t like the pressure on effort. Thankfully, the modern age of budget supermarkets means this is not necessary, at least when not with your in-laws.
This is a fun evening with housemates, before you head to respective families, work mates or just your friends who find yourself swamped out of your local. Buy everything from ready-done roast potatoes and pigs in blankets to a whole chicken. Throw it in the oven or microwave. Just follow the instructions on the back and you can’t go wrong. No booking in advance necessary and with a few bottles of wine this is criminally cheap. Consider getting paper plates so the only washing up is a bin liner. Given the majority of us live in shoe boxes of rooms this can be entertainingly fitted into whatever space you have, especially if you don’t mind dining in bed.
Stewart Vickers Instagram/Twitter @vickhellfire
The post Escape Christmas with our Anti-Christmas Food and Drink Guide appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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