Results tagged “Christmas”

By Kay Lockett

"A man without a smiling face, should never open a shop," says Noel Saunders, managing director of John Lewis Stratford City, quoting a Chinese proverb as he welcomes the first customers of the day to the department store.

He said: "I'm at the front door every day. I came across this saying, which sums up and evokes a sense of what retailing is all about. My simple take on it is to be present and say good morning to the first rush of customers and make them feel welcome.

By Andrew Williams

Turkeys don't vote for Christmas, so the saying goes. But can you imagine Christmas without a sizeable chunk of meat in the middle of the table? There has been a fair amount of commentary this year, spurred in part by the economic conditions, that perhaps some of us might shy away from the traditional turkey this year and opt for a vegetarian meal instead.

By Kay Lockett

When it comes to picking your meat for Christmas it may be foolish to ignore your local butcher if you want true quality on the table.

So says Michael Jones owner of Drings in Greenwich, which has built such a reputation for selling premium poultry that customers queue along the street to pick up their turkeys in the days leading up to the big feast.

Give someone deserving a special present this Christmas without stepping foot on the high street.

Crisis, the national charity for single homeless people urgently needs skilled volunteers to give the gift of time to its 40th Christmas campaign.

The enitre Docklands Light Railway network will be closed for the weekend of December 10-11 to allow for an upgrade of the signalling system ahead of the Olympic Games.

Test trains will be in operation on the line, which means normal services will be suspended for both days.

STARBUCKS
Praline mocha, £2.95
3/5

IN A NUTSHELL
It might come in a festive red cup but this one's too sweet, unless you happen to like that sort of thing, of course.

By Andrew Williams

As a child, I remember the horror with which my parents noted that a neighbour had put their Christmas tree up on December 1.

This seemed at the time to be a ridiculous faux pas, and yet in the intervening years it seems that Christmas has begun earlier and earlier.

It might seem a long way off but Christmas is only six weeks away so it's a good time to start thinking about everything that needs to be done.

Ruining the turkey is a perennial nightmare for most cooks at Christmas but chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has a foolproof way to ensure the Christmas bird comes out of the oven done to a turn.

More is most definitely more this season with hair and make-up trends focusing on glamour.

Stylist Keely Klein from Klein's Hair and Beauty on West India Quay credits the girls from The Only Way Is Essex with pointing ladies in the direction of making an effort.

Juggling impromptu Christmas parties with work and a shopping list as long as your arm, leaves little time for your beauty regime. Party season is upon us which means you want to look less frazzled and more fabulous.You will still have time to make sure you dazzle on the dance floor with our last minute beauty ideas.

By Peter Golds

Walking around the Wharf this past weekend the place was bursting with shoppers visitors and Christmas decorations.

The economy requires people to spend over Christmas while, at the same time, some say the real message of Christmas is lost to rampant commercialism.

East Wintergarden came alive with the sound of Christmas carols last night at the annual candlelit service.

The event which saw two separate services take place back-to-back, included a charity collection that raised over £2,000 for Mercy Ships and Neighbours in Poplar.

It's the time of year when we push the boat out and when it comes to that Christmas spirit a good whisky is hard to beat.

Whether it's Scotch or Bourbon, Japanese or Irish, the world of the water of life is complex and varied - and it can be daunting for the novice tippler.

Christmas dinner
Orient Express
4/5

IN A NUTSHELL
You don't actually go anywhere, but this is a deliciously weird thing to do if you're after a bit of festive spirit.

By Andrew Williams

And so, the Noughties draw to a close. We'll probably look back on this decade as a strange combination of frivolous fun (iPods, Facebook and Harry Potter) and terrible horror (9/11, 7/7, and a whole lot of wars).

It might be the holiday season for most of us but for footballers it's one of the busiest times of the year.

West Ham have a potentially crucial sequence of matches over the festive season, starting with the visit of rock-bottom Portsmouth to Upton Park on Boxing Day. Kick off is at 1pm.

Pizza is not usually regarded as a Christmas dish but one Canary Wharf chef decided to improvise when called upon to serve up a festive treat.

Westferry Circus-based Italian restaurant Prezzo was recently visited by John Frewer and his fussy-eating sons, Louie, seven, and Frankie, three.

Once upon a time, stories were born around campfires and by bedsides.

Barrister Lesley Young used to make up tales for her young children when she returned home from a hard day in court. This Christmas, the Isle of Dogs resident will see one of her creations on stage, as one of two festive shows at The Space.

By Jim Fitzpatrick

Canary Wharf's Community Christmas Reception is always an enjoyable event at which the Group invites along local community organisations and their representatives for a seasonal social get-together.

Everyone has a great evening, partaking of some Canary Wharf hospitality.

Santa's heading to Mudchute Farm on Sunday December 13 for the venue's Christmas party.

The visit will take place between 10 and 1am, while arts and crafts activities and storytelling will be on offer for the children, and mulled will be available for parents.