Christmas comes but once a year, bringing with it plenty of glittering affairs, endless feasting and gift shopping for the fussiest of recipients. With so much to contend with, you could be forgiven for wanting a little respite. In which case, why not treat yourself to that special little something that you've been secretly craving? From the ultimate vamp nail polish to a bliss-inducing facial, there's plenty of comfort and joy to be found on Bond Street this holiday season.
Unwind with a relaxing spa treatment
Away from the bustle of Bond Street, you'll find Claridge's Spa located three floors below the celebrated hotel's Art Deco-inspired lobby. As well as a contemporary pool and seven treatment rooms offering Japanese skincare rituals, it is also home to the new Josh Wood hair and beauty salon. Josh's hand-picked team of A-list stylists will cut a new-season bob and spruce up your colour with balayage and much more besides.
Brown's Hotel now offers its Made for Life: Head in Heaven Ritual, where rhythmical movements on the upper back, scalp and face, are designed to bring an instant feeling of peace and calm.
In addition to the fragrant, essential oil-infused crystal steam room, The Aman Spa at The Connaught has an impressive treatment menu. Highlights include the Reiki Regenerate Body and Soul acupuncture and the Detoxifying Holistic Massage.
Over at 125 Mount Street, you'll find German skincare specialist Dr. Barbara Sturm's state-of-the-art flagship. Home to her new medically advanced skincare collection and molecular cosmetics line, the store also boasts an advanced spa menu. Sturm's 90-minute bespoke facial will have you all aglow in no time.
For more sensory spa experiences, read our beauty edit here.
Self-indulgent beauty gifts
Turn up the volume this party season with the ultimate vamp nail colour from Chanel. Made with a high concentration of pigment and enriched with camellia eco-ceramides, each lick of hardwearing Le Vernis in Pompier will see you through to New Year's Eve.
A make-up bag refresh is a must at this time of year. This eyeshadow palette from Prada's new eye collection is guaranteed to delight each time you open the lid to find the wonderfully abstract composition of delicious shades inside.
For a hit of Italian sunshine, head to Victoria Beckham's Dover Street store. Portofino '97 forms part of the designer's new fragrance collection, in which each scent takes its name from significant destinations in Beckham's personal life.
Give skin an added boost with Stella McCartney's Alter-Care Serum. The conscious fashion designer's hero product is packed full of active ingredients including organic rock samphire extract. Once finished, the bottle can be topped up with a handy refill.
Your complexion will also thank you for treating it with Dior's Prestige intensive repairing cream, which has the added bonus of a delicious rose fragrance to lull you into a state of relaxation.
Creature comforts
With the imminent move to a larger space at number 16 The Royal Arcade, Ormonde Jayne is renowned for its bespoke perfumes and other fragrant offerings. These include Nocturne, a winter candle that evokes the scent of a crackling hearth and a glass of fine cognac.
Also housed in this iconic arcade, the Royals’ favourite chocolatier, Charbonnel et Walker, brings extra cheer this Christmas with its new Espresso Martini truffles. Infused with coffee and vodka, there's no need to share them with anyone!
And who wouldn't want to slip their feet into these cosy little booties from Loro Piana? Made with the brand's signature CashFur fabric, they are a step up from all those unwanted Christmas slippers.
Spoil yourself with a leisurely latte or festive tea...
Your best shot for a pre-shopping caffeine fix is either Ralph's Coffee on New Bond Street or The Service over on Savile Row. And this being Christmas, expect a festive flourish to accompany your afternoon tea and scones. From carol singers performing around the piano at Claridge's to a decadent Christmas afternoon tea in The Palm Court at The Ritz, lap up the sparkle at this, the most wonderful time of the year.
Discover the finest afternoon teas and coffee addresses in and around Bond Street.
Lucie Muir writes for the Financial Times HTSI