Fortnum's Christmas Icons
Introducing Our Christmas Icons
From our iconic wickers to dapper crustaceans and over-excited Champagne bottles, meet some of the most-famous festive characters you'll find at Fortnum's this season. Merry Christmas!
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Our Parcel of Christmas Joy
Here’s a little-known fact about Father Christmas, and about our Christmas hampers: normally a preternaturally easy-going man, the only time St Nick ever feels a pang of doubt is when he sees a wicker emblazoned with 'F&M' waiting beneath your festive fir. Why? Because whatever he’s delivering just might pale in comparison.
As arguably our most famous creation, our wicker wonders always take a starring role in the Christmas celebrations at Fortnum's, and this year is no exception.
The Popping Champagne
Every Christmas Eve, shoals of Fortnum’s Champagne swim through the air of our Piccadilly home, propelled by the millions of miniature bubbles waiting beneath their corks. How do we know? Let’s just say a particularly chatty Mince Pie told us.
An effervescent character that perfectly encapsulates the and barely-contained excitement we feel when the festive season starts, you'll spot this fellow in countless places this Christmas at Fortnum's. Now, who's for a glass of fizz?
The Christmas Candles
Where would we be without candles? Well, Fortnum’s wouldn’t be here, for one thing: it’s thanks to the half-burned candles that Hugh Fortnum recycled from Queen Anne’s household that we exist at all. There’s an illuminating little fact for you.
Beautifully drawn by illustrator Luis Mendo, this candle motif pays tribute to our earliest days, and celebrates the three centuries (and counting) that our Christmas candles have been illuminating feasting tables around the world.
The Fortnum's Lobster
Undeniable underwater royalty, and the sassiest and most-fashionable crustacean going (he’s often seen in a Top Hat), we adore lobsters more than other sea creatures. Famed for his countless Christmas appearances in our windows, on advent calendars and beyond, he's the very embodiment of our indulgent attitude towards festive feasting.
That being said, we never sit beside him at Christmas lunch. Why? Because of his unbeaten cracker-pulling (or should that be cracker destroying?) record, of course.
Mr. & Mrs Teapot
Naturally we’re obsessed with what goes into them, but we’re equally diligent about our teapots themselves. Crafted and decorated by artisans with a taste for the gloriously elegant, the only thing our teapots can’t do is magically top themselves up. At least, not yet, anyway.
Charmingly urgent in Luis Mendo's illustrations this year, you'll find this well-brewed pair across Fortnum's this Christmas, always in search of a new teatime table to entertain. Because if you can't treat yourself to an indulgent Afternoon Tea at Christmas, when can you?
Our Red Coats
Move over, robin redbreast – it’s surely our Red Coats’ turn to take centre stage on the front of the nation's Christmas cards this year.
Joyful and helpful, they’re the very personification of the generous spirit of the season and this playful illustration pays fitting tribute to the central role our Red Coats play in making every Fortnum's Christmas extra-special. They're a friendly bunch too, so do say hello next time you’re at Piccadilly.
Our Rooftop Bees
Our bees are magic. So magic, in fact, that they’re capable of feats far beyond the reach of everyday buzzers. For example, ours once helped a grateful Santa and his present-laden sleigh into flight from our Piccadilly rooftop. We even wrote a little story about it.
Hard at work and carrying a honey drizzler, this happy bee can be found buzzing merrily across our advent calendar this festive season. And on our roof, of course...
The Flaming Christmas Pudding
Ah, Christmas Pudding. The traditional fiery finale to many a festive feast, Luis Mendo's illustration looks good enough to eat. More than that, it's a tribute to the importance of enjoying a little indulgence with your nearest and dearest at Christmas. Just don't forget the Cognac Butter, whatever you do...
Our Christmas Brochure is Here!
Filled from cover to cover with gifting inspiration and every delicious thing you'll need for your Christmas table.