London Souvenirs on a Shoestring

Not interested in a Mind the Gap thong for Christmas or a faux Burberry umbrella for Chanukah? Like other world cities, the list of cheap souvenir possibilities is endless with so many iconic London images to copy and boy are they ever …

• Big Ben
• Bobby hats
• Red telephone booths
• Double decker buses
• Black cabs
• Bearskin hat topped guards
• Beefeaters / Yeoman Warders
• Tower Bridge
• Union Jack
• The Royal Family
• Fish- n-chips
• Tube/Underground

Not to worry though, London is overflowing with tasteful presents perfect for the holidays.

London in a Bag

Double decker buses of varying qualities and materials: Harrods / Hamley’s / London Transport Museum

2012 Olympic apparel and stuffed toys: Glorious Britain

London in a bag: Heal’s

Kitschy print bags and toys London designer Cath Kidston: several London branches / Selfridges

For teens

Bus Bookend

Soccer jerseys aka football shirts, London’s 5 premiership teams are Aresnal, Chelsea, Fulham, Tottenham and West Ham. Knock off shirts can be found on most souvenir kiosks,official kits can be purchased from the stadium stores, sports stores and Harrods.

Anything Wimbledon – The All England Lawn Tennis Club Museum

London architecture  bookends – Liberty of London, V&A Museum

Union Jack for the home

Union Jack cushions by Jan Constantine – Liberty, Harrods, Selfridges

Emma Bridgewater Pottery Union Jack collection -stores in Fulham, Marylebone and Chiswick

Union Jack dog doorstop – John Lewis

Tea Gifts

The classic Brown Betty teapot – Harrods

Tea in beautiful tins- Fortnum and Mason /Harrods

Tea towels –  Harrods / Liberty

Teacups & mugs – Whittard of Chelsea shops/Harrods

For Men

Pint glasses from London’s Fuller’s Brewery

Marmite (the infamous English yeast extract spread) T-shirt, beats an Oxford University T-shirt which isn’t in London by the way – Selfridges

For Women

Ornaments from Harrods

Links of London charms – various stores

Newgate station and school clocks made in England – John Lewis/ Selfridges

London Christmas ornaments – Harrods / Liberty

Ultimate Cheesy Souvenir

Commemorative Prince William and Kate Middleton royal engagement and royal wedding keepsake  are in mass production as I type. Beware, they will be on every street corner and tourist tat shop in town.

Proper tchotchke cheap and cheerful souvenirs-

Don’t waste time on those cheesey souvenir stalls in time. Save all of  the magnet. keychain, t-shirt shopping for killing time at the airport at Glorious Britain.