Category: Christmas

It's forever associated with the era, but these days, Carnaby Street is far from the hip hangout it was in its 1960s heyday. Still, you can always pretend you're back in swinging London when the Carnaby Christmas decorations take on a psychedelic theme this year.

According to the official blurb, the twelve streets of Carnaby will be filled with fifteen, six metre high inflatable decorations 'declaring 60s festive messages of Love, Joy, Hope and Peace', along with four, six metre high inflatable 'hot pink reindeers' and 'brightly coloured suspended Christmas trees and sparkling lights'. There will also be light installations and 'vibrant 60s colours'. So not exactly the image of the past you can see above, but interesting nonetheless.

Oh yes – there's a launch event too on Tuesday 10th November (6 – 7pm), where an open air dance arena in Carnaby Street will host a live DJ set from mod legend and Acid Jazz owner Eddie Piller, not to mention some Go-Go dancers on podiums. It should liven up your walk home or your late night shopping.

Carnaby website

Via Modculture

As we’ve entered into the month of November, I feel I can begin to recommend Christmas related items without feeling too guilty, especially when they are as great as the Bengt & Lotta Reindeer Candleholder.

Clearly inspired by Scandinavian folk art, the candleholder is made from iron and is a similar style to Bengt Lindberg’s moose design. The candleholder is ideal as a Christmas table centrepiece but is probably something that you would want to leave out the rest of the year round.

It costs $125 from Fjorn.

If you are planning a retro-style Christmas (the best kind), it is not too late to order a handmade stocking from Jan Constantine.

There are several designs to choose from, but the Union Jack Stocking is the one with most retro appeal. Made from red felt, trimmed with a union jack motif, the stocking measures 46cm by 21cm.

It costs £36 and can be ordered online from the Jan Constantine website up until the 22 December for delivery for Christmas.

We rarely get excited about Christmas decorations – but we very much love the Alessi Presepe nativity scene.

A modern design (by Massimo Giacon), it’s reminiscent of the mid-century Alexander Girard characters, while the ‘stable’ takes a different retro route – going for a bit of 70s space age.

It’s made of porcelain, with the red version (above) added to the original white version this year. And of course, you get all those figures, which you’re free to move around, should you want to add your own spin to the scene.

Available now, it sells online for £45.

Find out more at the Utility Design website