Is it better to go to London before or after Christmas?
Visiting London before Christmas (late November to mid-December) is generally better for experiencing festive lights, markets, and atmosphere, while after Christmas (late December to January) is superior for avoiding heavy crowds, finding lower prices, and enjoying quieter sightseeing.
Flying December 24th or 25th saves serious money. Analysis of over 40,000 flights shows Christmas Eve runs 75% above baseline but still costs less than the surrounding peak days, while Christmas Day offers the best value of the holiday period at just 27% above normal fares.
Yes, Christmas in London is widely considered magical and worth it for the dazzling lights, festive markets, ice skating, and unique atmosphere, but be prepared for large crowds, high costs, and potentially cold/wet weather; it's best if you embrace the festive spirit while also seeking quieter moments to avoid the overwhelming commercialism and tourist traps, according to a local's guide, Visit London, and Reddit users.
Is it better to go shopping before or after Christmas?
It's generally better to shop sooner, since many retailers offer early bird discounts, plus the closer you get to Christmas = the more likely a certain high-demand item will be out of stock or in limited supply.
Actually a great time to visit, as long as you book your Christmas Day transport and meals. The week between Christmas and New Year creates a bit of a lull after the crazy run up to Christmas, but you still get all the beautiful decorations in place and lots of Christmas events still happening.
Christmas in London: What You NEED To Know Before You Go
What is the most Christmassy place in London?
London's most Christmassy spots blend dazzling lights, festive markets, and unique attractions, with Covent Garden (giant tree, snowfall), Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (sheer scale, rides), and the iconic street lights of Oxford Street/Regent Street/Carnaby Street topping most lists, alongside spectacular displays at Christmas at Kew and traditional charm at Trafalgar Square.
Yes, Christmas Eve is a very busy travel day, especially in the afternoon and evening, with millions driving, flying, and taking trains as people rush to reach family and celebrations, making roads congested and airports crowded, although Christmas Day itself can sometimes be less busy for flights if you're already there.
What is the 4 Gift Rule (Want, Need, Wear, Read)? The 4 gift rule is very simple: you get each of your children something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
The "5 Things for Christmas Rule" (or "Five Gift Rule") is a popular gift-giving guideline that limits each recipient to five thoughtful presents, typically structured as: something they Want, something they Need, something to Wear, something to Read, and something special/to Share (or Do). This method encourages quality over quantity, focusing on meaningful items that cover different aspects of a person's life rather than endless toys or clutter.
According to my research, more than half (52 per cent) of IndyBest-approved products were cheaper on Black Friday 2024 than they were during the Boxing Day sales. Seven items (14 per cent) were cheaper pre-Christmas, and 17 items (34 per cent) were the same price on both dates.
While central London's Regent Street and Carnaby Street offer iconic, grand displays, the true "most Christmassy street" is often cited as Lower Morden Lane in South London, where residents go all-out decorating their homes for charity, creating a dazzling, local winter wonderland that draws huge crowds and raises significant funds for St Raphael's Hospice.
OK, so completely avoiding the crowds in London at Christmas is impossible - but, there are ways to avoid the worst of them. Here's how to get the most out of your festive trip: - Hit the Christmas markets as soon as they open (usually 11am) - they peak from 3pm onwards.
Yes, the day after Christmas—December 26th—is consistently one of the busiest travel days of the year in the United States and several other countries.
The most dangerous times to fly are during the first few minutes after takeoff and the last few minutes before landing, often called the "critical ten," when most accidents occur due to lower altitudes, slower speeds, and complex maneuvers, with landing often cited as slightly riskier than takeoff. Statistically, poor weather (icing, thunderstorms) and fatigue from late flights also increase risks, making early morning, fair-weather flights the safest, while summer months see more overall incidents due to higher traffic.
While crowds will likely be high in the days ahead of Christmas, they'll likely be lighter on the Monday and Tuesday the week before. Traveling on Christmas or Christmas Eve: For the smoothest Christmas 2025 travel experience, fly on Christmas Day.
Can I gift $3,000 to each of my children each year?
It's important to note that this annual exemption is your total allowance for a given tax year, which means you could give all £3,000 to one child, or split it between several children.. Note that this is a per person allowance, so both parents may gift £3,000 each per year tax-free.
What is the 5 gift rule for girlfriends? The 5 gift rule expands on the 3 gift idea, with five categories: something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read, and something special that shows love or thought.
"Around $25–$50 is thoughtful without being too much. If you're super close (or she's always spoiling you), $75–$150 is generous but not over the top," read Moonsift's website. "Honestly, it's less about the price and more about the thought.
You open gifts on the 24th or 25th depending on family tradition, with many in the US, Canada, and UK opening them Christmas morning (25th), while many in Europe (like Germany, Nordic countries) open them Christmas Eve (24th) after dinner or at midnight, with some families splitting presents between both days or even opening some on Boxing Day.
The most popular Christmas gifts consistently include practical items like clothing, money, and gift cards, alongside personal care products (cosmetics/perfume), food/drinks, and electronics. "Experience gifts," such as event tickets or classes, are also highly desired, while toys, homeware gadgets, and books remain top categories, showing a mix of tangible goods and memorable activities as favorites.
The cheapest days to fly are typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as they have lower demand compared to peak days like Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays, with Saturdays also sometimes being cheaper. To find the best price, be flexible with your travel dates, use calendar views on flight search engines (like Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak) to see price variations across months, and consider flying during shoulder seasons (spring/autumn) or off-peak hours like early morning or red-eye flights for maximum savings.
The busy season will likely extend through December 29, as people return from Christmas celebrations and prepare for New Year's. Last year, four of the six forecasted busiest days for air travel were between December 26 and 29, according to TSA data projections.
The busiest Christmas travel days are typically the Friday before, the weekend just before, and Christmas Eve, with significant congestion as people finish work and shop, while Christmas Day itself can also see busy flights and some road travel. Expect peaks on the last Friday and Saturday, plus Christmas Eve (Dec 24th) and the following Monday (Dec 23rd), with morning travel being busier for flights and afternoons/evenings for roads.
