Behind the scenes: the night before Christmas at Claridge’s
It was with impeccable timing that the first snowfall of the season swept across the capital, just as Claridge’s was preparing to kick off the festive period with the eagerly anticipated unveiling of its Christmas tree.
Nowhere does Christmas quite like Claridge’s – and this year’s festivities are especially magical. The façade has been beautifully adorned with fir-trees and an ornate hand-painted cloche by the London-based artist Sam Wood, while the pièce de résistance is, of course, the tree itself. For the past 14 years, a host of distinguished designers and brands, from Karl Lagerfeld to Louis Vuitton, have had their turn reimagining it; 2025’s mesmerising arboreal curation comes courtesy of the much-loved British fashion designer and long-time friend of the hotel Sir Paul Smith.
From the branches of the 20-foot show-stopper hang 100 bespoke wooden birdhouses, including one particularly fine golden design created by the British architect Nik Ramage that features gently beating feathered wings. A chorus of birdsong is projected into the lobby, and gathered around the base of the tree is a cluster of charming wooden animals crafted by the London-based design studio Studiomama.
“When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a birdhouse: friendly, optimistic, and a symbol of home,” says Smith. “It reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s, and I hope people will find it fascinating and fun.” Every object on the tree is repurposed, from the birdhouses to the baubles. “You can find inspiration in everything – and if you can’t, look again,” adds the designer.
Elsewhere, a welcoming committee of smaller – but equally cheering – Christmas trees twinkle at guests on arrival, and gold stars glimmer from every corner. Winter branches in rich shades of copper and gold have been elegantly arranged throughout the hotel, along with five kilometres of fairy lights, 100 hand-painted snow globes, 15,000 baubles and enough garland to reach from Claridge’s front door all the way to Bond Street station. In the main restaurant, a constellation of gilded stars hangs from a botanical display by Claridge’s Flowers. “Here, people can dine under the stars,” says the floral company’s director Richard Eagleton with a smile.
Festive feasting unfolds from this week, with a characteristically mouth-watering menu that was finalised at the beginning of August. Guests in the main restaurant can enjoy such favourites as Norfolk bronze turkey with all the trimmings, roasted venison, winter berry cheesecake and the beloved Claridge’s Christmas pudding. A similarly superb spread is on offer in the Foyer.
“We start planning Christmas about a year in advance,” says the hotel’s culinary director Simon Attridge “The quantities are huge. We buy in 350 turkeys for the festive season’s afternoon tea alone.” Add to that the 800 scones required daily for afternoon tea, the 800 pastries prepared every day and the seven tonnes of chocolate the chefs use each year, and you begin to understand what a significant operation is involved. The array of seasonal delicacies created by Claridge’s executive pastry chef Thibault Hauchard is especially enticing, featuring white chocolate baubles, ornate chocolate Christmas trees and polished meringue tartlets. “Each one has to look the same,” says Hauchard of the attention to detail required for perfect pâtisserie.
Those lucky enough to stay the night at Claridge’s during the festive season can expect a knock at their door signalling the arrival of a tray arranged with neat rows of miniature mince pies, accompanied by a silver jug of steaming hot chocolate. Traditionally, mince pies and carrots are laid out for Christmas Eve’s nocturnal visitors, and handmade stockings are hung on each door; every room also comes bedecked with its own tree. On Christmas morning, the lobby is often filled with the chorus of carol singers, and guests who have booked a package stay are invited on a horse-drawn carriage ride around the heart of London. Is it any wonder that, for so many, Christmas is incomplete without a sprinkling of Mayfair magic?
Claridge’s, Brook Street, London W1.
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