Hands up who can’t believe that Christmas is just over a month away? OK, OK, put your hands down, you’re embarrassing yourselves. But hey, it’s a shocker. Suddenly the shops are full of tatty trinkets, decorations and mince pies and the annoying ‘holidays are coming’ ad is back on TV. Surely it’s still February 2008 isn’t it? What happened to the year?

Still, despite the credit crunch and the pain that is hitting Westfield for several hours with pocket change, trying to make it stretch to everyone you have to buy presents for, there is a happy note to this year’s festive season. There are plenty of Christmas parties at London bars planned. And I’m not just talking the awkward office party, either.

This year, you’ll be able to head out all over the capital for bars and pubs serving mulled wine and Christmas cocktails, or even more general Christmas drinks and winter drinks. I love nothing more on a cold winter’s night than snuggling up on a comfy pub sofa to sip on warm wine. All the better if it’s in one of the many pubs with open fires. It is a real benefit to the most depressing of dark, cold and rainy seasons (although this year’s crap summer has given our winters a run for their money!).

If, like me, you also fancy proper themed Christmas parties at London bars where you go all out with the festivities then there are plenty of these planned. Whether you want stylish Christmas parties at places like Punk or are struggling with the cash and prefer affordable Christmas parties then bars, pubs and clubs across the capital are getting ready to tempt you in.

Christmas in London is always a biggun’ and I just hope that the recession won’t ruin it for too many of us.

Happy Christmas!