For the time-strapped business traveller, organising Christmas can be stressful. Felicity Cousins finds out how to make the festive season a little easier.
In the run-up to Christmas, people divide into three groups. There are those who see the festive season as a military operation and have every present bought and the turkey stuffed and in the freezer before the first crisp leaf has fallen. There are the squirrels, who gradually build up a pleasing stash of goodies. And then there is the Christmas Eve panic brigade – the wide-eyed ones spinning around department stores, desperately grabbing anything which looks pretty or expensive.
If you are the last-minute shopper, or just have little time to spare and a flexible budget, then Lillingston, a “couture” event management company, can help. Established in 1993 by Sophie Lillingston, the team soon became specialists in organising high-end tailored events (from weddings to a dance in the desert) aimed at those who are cash-rich, time-poor. Sophie says: “We can do anything. If they say go and pick something up from Timbuktu, then we will.”
This year, for the first time, the company is transferring its skills to the Christmas market, offering a bespoke home-styling service. Sophie says it was a natural progression: “At Christmas people concentrate on how their homes are run and how they look.”
For Christmas, the Lillingston team can decorate your tree and your home, stuff your stockings, set your dinner table and even buy your presents for you. You decide on your budget and give a brief to the team. The cost varies widely but a lot depends on whether you employ the services of a junior stylist, a senior stylist or Sophie herself.
For example, if you want the company to find your stocking fillers for you, then hiring a junior stylist for three hours’ shopping will cost around £180 plus the price of the gifts. And to have someone buy and decorate your Christmas tree will set you back £500.
It’s clearly a service aimed at the high-end, but Sophie is convinced that the economic climate won’t dampen the festive spirit. “People are still going to celebrate Christmas, and at the top end it’s more about cocktail parties and dinner parties, so people want beautifully decorated trees and houses.”
Like the personal shoppers at the big department stores, the team can also advise you on what are the must-haves of the season. “Basically, we can have someone running all over London for you, fetching exactly what you want.”
So how late can the panic brigade really leave it, even with someone else doing all the hard work? Sophie laughs: “We do have to be given a little bit of time, but we do our very best. One of the most difficult things I had to do was find a Rolls-Royce with a bed in the back, at the eleventh hour – and I did it!”
Visit lillingston.co.uk.
Other ways to make Christmas easier
Ladies’ Hamper
£80
Harrods’ brand-new glossy Christmas hamper catalogue is available on the store’s website, and this one caught our eye because it covers all bases, from pampering (rose-scented soaps, body lotion and shower gel), to chocolate (luxury raspberry and champagne truffles) and a bottle of rosé champagne. Orders for hampers must be made by December 8 for non-mainland UK delivery, December 12 for UK delivery and December 1 for European and worldwide delivery. See harrods.com/hampers for a full selection.
Travelling Christmas Hamper
£80
Harvey Nichols has come up with a hamper full of treats for those travelling at Christmas. With a selection of pantry essentials, from chocolate bars to ginger fudge, olives and lemon butter biscuits, as well as preserves and tea, this hamper will make sure you don’t miss much from home. It’s alcohol-free and available for European export. Last orders must be made by December 18 before noon for delivery on December 20. Visit harveynichols.com/hampers for more ideas.
Gentleman’s Hamper
£100
Fortnum and Mason offers a basket full of goods for the “gentleman” to relax and revitalise over Christmas. There’s shaving cream, bath and shower gel, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, port and Charmail 2004. Order before December 12 for Christmas delivery outside the UK and before December 14 for UK deliveries in time for Christmas. Full details at fortnumandmason.com.
