Forget slogan socks and inspirational quote-laden tat; this year, we're sprucing up your festive shopping cart with a sleigh-load of awesome experiences. From secret jazz gigs and gourmet dining events to cocktail classes and titillating burlesque shows, our catalogue of London's Christmas gift ideas is sure to earn you originality points on the big day.
Last updated on 24th January 2023
Created by James Cochran, Michelin-trained chef and winner of The Great British Menu, 1251 is an obvious choice for food fantatics. Get your friend a voucher for this Islington restaurant where they can wolf down likes of raw Orkney scallops, jerk-spiced monkfish and confit cauliflower.
On the hunt for a fun indoor gift idea? It doesn't get more wholesome than bowling at All Star Lanes. After playing a few rounds, this voucher also allows them some food, drinks and karaoke. If you go together, make sure to bring your competitive spirit.
Twiddling your thumbs for quirky Christmas gifts in London? With locations in Bloomsbury, Islington, Victoria and Shoreditch, Flight Club is a certified crowd-pleaser. The darts bar has tonnes of games and a huge cocktail selection, as well as being home to the beloved bottomless Brunch Socials.
Whether you're looking to treat yourself or buy your loved one something special, getting food-related gifts is never a bad idea. Head to P.F. Changs for their iconic Asian nibbles such as the world-famous dynamite shrimp, chicken lettuce wraps and fragrant chicken.
If anyone needs a little TLC after a busy Boxing Day, then this gift voucher might be the perfect present. Give this lovely experience to someone in need of some Venezuelan cuisine and a cocktail. With vibrant locations in both Haggerston and Bethnal Green, Arepa brings a relaxed atmosphere.
This classy experience is ideal for your plant-based mates; The Egerton House Hotel is offering a lovely vegan afternoon tea for one. It includes a spread of mouthwatering sandwiches, baked scones with coconut cream, a choice of fruit preserves, delicious pastries, plus teas and coffees.
When it comes to festive gifts in the city, Biscuiteers is a firm choice. Flaunting pretty venues across the capital, this is the ideal stop-off to create your very own edible Christmas presents. Just pop in for the two-hour-long workshops led by expert decorators.
Let Eleven98 do the legwork this holiday season with a voucher to one of London's best gift experiences, its famed social dining supper clubs. The pop-up event's ethos is all about creating great-quality dishes using the finest produce and, better still, it's BYOB.
The ideal present for those who love to have fun while keeping fit, gift vouchers for House of Voga can be redeemed against any of the group's quirky classes. Combining yoga and voguing, these high-energy sessions are sure to leave the receiver with an endorphin high.
Some of the best Christmas gift vouchers in London, Thames Rockets' choice between their late-night session and classic speedboating experience is ideal when your recipient loves thrills. Plus, you might even nab a gin and you'll definitely see some sights.
The Piano Works brings tonnes of festivities during the holiday season, so why not continue the party post-Christmas? Grab this fabulous gift voucher for a pal and let them choose between drinks, brunch or dinner, while listening to piano vocalists and bands perform.
Challenge your friends to unleash their inner delinquent, as they'll smuggle in liquor and don orange jumpsuits at Alcotraz. At this immersive experience, which is one of the most unusual Christmas gifts in the UK, pals will be able to enjoy various cocktails while behind bars, just be sure they don't get caught.
Showcasing the finest burlesque stars around, Proud is one of the best Christmas gift ideas for adults in London. Buy your other half a voucher so they can enjoy the cabaret club's impressive shows that are sure to banish those January blues.
For those of you in search of Christmas gifts for Londoners, tickets to the Candlelight Club is a superb choice. They'll be transported to the 1920s, where they'll dress the part and jive to jazzy beats that echo of the Prohibition era, with plenty of cocktails to boot.
Looking for luxury Christmas gift ideas in the UK? Grab this voucher for a delicious meal at Opium Cocktail Bar, a hidden dim sum venue located in the heart of Chinatown. Fill your boots with unique libations while chowing down on authentic cuisine.
For that extra measure of festive cheer, get your sweet-toothed mate a voucher to The Big London Bake. As one of the best Christmas gift experiences in London, it will see you work as a team to whisk, roll and create a masterpiece in the hopes of being crowned the winner.
After-work drinks on you? Located in the hub of all the action, Jin Bo Law is a gorgeous rooftop bar with jaw-dropping views. Grab one of these Christmas gift vouchers in London that'll have your city-working comrade guzzling a couple of complimentary cocktails. Cheers to that.
If you're looking for a Christmas gift for a budding mixologist, how about a trip to Hackney Funhouse's ABQ? They're serving up a cocktail-making experience, where you'll don a hazmat suit before making molecular mixtures - with pizzas available too.
If you're on the hunt for unusual Christmas gifts in London, Kitchen Theory is dishing up a night of flavour exploration at its monthly A Seat At The Gastrophysics Chef's Table. Guests will be treated to ten immersive multisensory plates, complete with light displays, audio aids and projections.
Purl will have you shaking up a storm with a cocktail masterclass in its 1920s underground speakeasy. As one of the best Christmas present ideas in London, it'll share the history, ingredients and techniques required to make three delicious concoctions.
TeamSport is a no-brainer for the petrolheads in your family. This fun day out in London Docklands will have your adrenaline pumping as you race around an 800-metre track at speeds of up to 40mph. They've also got a bar for a post-track drink. Loser buys.
