I’ve got to say, a holiday away from home is never easy. There’s just something about spending time with your family that makes thanksgiving and Christmas a special time. Although it’s not the easiest thing to do, being in London sure makes it a bit easier. The wintertime Christmas market at south bank center was my first stop during the holiday season and it definitely set the pace for what London had to offer. Food vendors, mulled wine, and knickknacks transformed South Bank’s beautiful riverside area into a festive celebratory aesthetic with a nice view of the London Eye. I grabbed some stocking stuffers, some pictures with the lights, and a traditional German sausage to eat before heading to the festive atmosphere of Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. When the park was being set up for the 200+ Christmas vendors in late November, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I was surprised when I went back in December to see a pop-up amusement park in the middle of the city. The flashing lights, rides, and food offerings are sure to be some of my fondest memories of London for years to come. Last but not least, we headed over to Kew Gardens to see the Christmas Lights. Although it was somewhat of a trip to get there, the display did not disappoint. Instead of the lights being a mishmash of different string lights on trees, the lights were computer generated with light beams and illuminations. There were bubbles and projections of Christmas scenes across the lake and fire on display for all to see. It was definitely a different take on celebrating the Christmas spirit but I’m glad I was able to make the trek to see it. All in all, I learned that Christmas is celebrated a bit differently across the world but in the end it doesn’t come down to the presents you buy, instead it’s about who you get to spend it with.