Our bags were packed and ready to make the short trip to Claridges. Christmas Eve couldn’t come soon enough as the threat of another Covid lockdown was lurking in the air.
We were suppose to have been there in 2020 but as you know, Christmas got cancelled. Thankfully, we made it this time around.
The familiar entrance had been transformed with Christmas trees. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
And in the hotel lobby was this year’s amazing Christmas Tree – a Celestial Snow Globe,
If you looked closely, there are dogs on the tree!!!
The Christmas festivities would begin in the early afternoon, but till then – let’s go to our room, please!
We settled into our very spacious room and Mum duly turned on the telly and the afternoon was spent watching – Frozen and listening to all versions of top Christmas songs.
Time came for us to don our very smart bow ties before dining at the Foyer Reading Room.
As the elevator opened onto the Lobby, we could hear the sound of Christmas carols sung by a choir. Everyone and everything looked so festive!
We were ushered to our table in the corner of the Foyer Reading Room – away from everyone. LOL! They have recently allowed guide dogs and support animals into some of the dining areas and we are setting the example.
Mum was in a really generous mood, sharing some of her caviar …
And foie gras!
To be honest, I think she was in need for us to help her finish the Christmas Eve dinner menu! LOL!
Caviar 
Foie Gras 
Lobster Risotto
As she waddled her way back to our room, we noticed that the hotel staff had also made sure that Santa had some replenishment when he stopped by later. A plate of mince pines, a glass of milk and a supply of carrots were left for him and his reindeer.
Note: The staff made sure the fire was put out for his arrival!
But we had a mission. We wanted to see if we could catch a glimpse of Santa ourselves. So our excuse was we needed to have one last pee, or was it an early toilet call …
But there was unfortunately no sighting! After we gave up on spotting Santa, we went back into the hotel and whaddaya know?!?!?! Santa’s been and gone! Elusive as ever.
He had eaten two and a half of the mince pies, drank most of the milk. As for Rudolph, he ate almost all the carrots. I guess he needed sustenance for pulling that sleigh all over the world.
And look what we found by our door? He left us our “stocking” …
And so Christmas had arrived!!
Before our Christmas lunch scheduled for 15.15, we were treated to a carriage ride. It was just Mum and I …
We left George with the hotel staff as we weren’t sure how he would react to the horses. In the past, he freaked out every time he saw horses. And we wanted to avoid a scene.
During the whole 30-minute horse carriage ride around Mayfair, I looked out the window.
We loved our short spin around the neighbourhood.
When we came back to the hotel, guess who was waiting for us in the lobby?!?!?!
He had heard that we were out looking for him so he stopped by with his Chief Elf to reassure us that he is real! Well, that’s a relief.
Next, we turned on the telly a 3pm to listen to the Queen’s speech …
It was such a personal and lovely message from the heart.
And now for the BIG Christmas lunch in the beautiful Drawing Room …
Lobster 
Turkey
And they brought us our own bowl of turkey
And before the day was over, Santa came to wish us all a happy new year.
May all your future Christmases be happy and bright – full of traditions and family time.
May’s comment: As the Queen said in her Christmas speech,
“While Covid again means we can’t celebrate quite as we may have wished, we can still enjoy the many happy traditions. Be it the singing of carols (as long as the tune is well known); decorating the tree; giving and receiving presents; or watching a favourite film where we already know the ending, it’s no surprise that families so often treasure their Christmas routines.”
So true. Christmas for me has always been about traditions. And to recreate them together with Darcy and George no matter where we are is what matters.
My family traditions from Christmases in Malaysia have long been replaced by ones I have adopted over the years of living in the west. Many Christmases in Dusseldorf with the Eggerts have instilled in me the European traditions of celebrating the holiest of nights, yet maintaining the Christmas Day traditions of stockings, the BIG Christmas lunch and watching the Queen’s speech. Why not make the most of both traditions and stretch the celebrations as much as one can? Right? LOL!
Covid travel restrictions had complicated all travels, so I was seeking ways to enjoy the traditions of Christmas just to end the year on a happy note.
And Christmas at Claridges was everything they said it would be.
Christmas carols in the lobby from tea time on the 24th, option of Christmas Eve dinner, leaving mince pies for Santa and carrots for reindeer, and waking up the next morning to find stockings! And the hotel had arranged a horse carriage ride for their guests around Mayfair before the big Christmas lunch in the beautiful Drawing Room! They ticked all the boxes in such an elegant way.
The weather outside was definitely awful most of the time we were there. It was perfect to hunker down in the luxury of our room and wandering downstairs for meals. But with dogs, there was no escape from venturing out. And in the quiet of the 24th evening, we got to see some of the Christmas lights nearby.
Given the travel restrictions, I suppose we were continuing in the vein of London staycations Christmas at Claridges and indulge in traditions.
And just like that Christmas Day is over. But may we always keep Christmas in our hearts.
