Festive London, A Vienna Christmas Market Escape & The Year’s Final Stretch

Sophie Allatt
Dec 9, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Apr 2

December always arrives in two distinct phases. First, there’s the romantic, early-festive magic—twinkling lights, Christmas markets, the joyful promise of the season. Then, before you know it, you’re deep in overbooked calendars, last-minute shopping stress, and an overwhelming need to lie down with a glass of fizz and a face mask. There’s a tipping point, somewhere around the second week, where the sparkle begins to blur with the burnout, and your idea of luxury becomes staying in with leftovers and a decent blanket.

This year, I decided to begin December on my own terms—with a festive escape to Vienna. A trip that felt like stepping into a snow globe, before returning to the whirlwind of London’s Christmas frenzy. I wanted to feel the season, not just schedule it. I craved the silence between the bells, the hush beneath the hustle.

Vienna: Christmas Markets, Old-World Magic & A Well-Timed Escape

Vienna in December is everything I wanted it to be and more.

From the moment I arrived, I knew this was exactly what I needed before the full chaos of Christmas set in. The city felt like a fairytale film set—grand architecture dusted in frost, golden lights flickering in the early dusk, and that delicious crisp winter air that makes every mulled wine taste like a reward. You find yourself walking slower there, taking in every scent, every flicker of candlelight in café windows. It forces you to be present.

The Christmas markets? Beyond magical. Each one had its own unique energy—some bustling, others tucked away like secrets, but all steeped in that unmistakable old-world festive charm. There was a rhythm to it—arriving just as the stalls lit up, gloves off to hold a steaming mug, watching strangers smile at each other for no reason beyond shared joy.

Highlights included:

Schönbrunn Palace Market – Picture-perfect, with stalls set against the backdrop of the palace, selling everything from hand-painted ornaments to the best strudel I’ve ever had. It felt decadent without being overdone, like slipping into a past life where people still dressed for Christmas.
Rathausplatz Market – The classic, the iconic, the one that felt like a Christmas movie set. Glittering lights, roasted chestnuts in the air, and the kind of festive atmosphere that almost made me believe I was in a Hallmark film. I nearly cried at a brass band rendition of “O Holy Night.”
Spittelberg Market – Smaller, more intimate, nestled into charming alleyways—a perfect contrast to the bigger, louder ones. Less spectacle, more soul. I found a tiny ceramic fox that now lives on my bookshelf.

And then, of course, the food—warm pretzels, steaming bowls of goulash, marzipan-filled pastries, and endless cups of glühwein, sipped as I wandered through the markets, wrapped up in layers, watching Vienna glow. It was indulgent without guilt, celebratory without pressure.

Also: Viennese women don’t seem to understand the concept of “bad winter fashion.” Even in sub-zero temperatures, they were effortlessly elegant. I took notes. And photos. It’s the kind of style that’s quiet but undeniable—clean silhouettes, high-quality fabric, and scarves worn like crowns.

Back to London: Full Festive Chaos Engaged

Stepping off the plane back into London was like hitting fast-forward on the season. Vienna’s candlelit calm gave way to the sheer velocity of festive London life, where every hour is double-booked and there’s an open bottle of wine in every room. Emails start auto-replying. Party invites become obligations. And every social plan requires five WhatsApp threads and a spreadsheet.

Within days:

I had three Christmas drinks catch-ups in one evening.
I ‘popped into’ the Southbank Christmas Market and accidentally stayed for four hours and three hot toddies.
I found myself in a spontaneous Christmas karaoke night (regret level: 7/10).
I became deeply committed to the ‘one mulled wine per day’ lifestyle.

Also: I lost a glove somewhere between Borough Market and the Northern Line and mourned it like a breakup. That’s where we’re at.

December in London is a full-contact sport, and I am both participant and casualty. I love it, but it’s wild.

That ‘End of the Year’ Feeling

December has a way of sneaking up on your emotions. There’s a moment—usually sometime around your third mince pie—when the sentimentality kicks in. The year’s ending. The playlists are nostalgic. And suddenly, you’re knee-deep in reflection. What was achieved, what was let go, who surprised you, and who faded out quietly like mist.

Every conversation starts with “Can you believe it’s December already?”
People begin quietly tallying up their personal wins and losses.
The feeling of “I should be winding down” clashes violently with “I have so much left to do.”

Vienna gave me that calm before the storm—a moment to breathe, journal, be still. I drank wine in silence, wrapped up in a scarf the size of a duvet, and watched snow fall outside a candlelit bar. I remembered what it feels like to rest without apologising. Now, I’m riding the glittery wave of the countdown with as much grace (and caffeine) as I can manage.

Style & Beauty: High-Low and Frosty Glow

We’re layering strategically now. The goal? Look chic but survive the Tube.

Style notes:

Wool coats in deep camel and grey—structured, serious, secretly cosy.
Ribbed knit dresses with a touch of stretch, layered under oversized scarves.
Tall boots, or ballet flats with tights when I’m feeling brave and impractical.
Statement earrings that whisper “I’ll join you for one” at the wine bar.

Beauty-wise, I’ve leaned full glow-up prep. Skin is being exfoliated, masked, and slathered like it’s auditioning for a Christmas ad. I’ve booked in for a facial and even considered a lash tint. It’s the end-of-year version of spring cleaning—only for your face.

Wellness: Keeping Some Sort of Balance (Or Trying To)

December is not the month for rigid routines, but I’m gently attempting balance—keyword: gently.

Morning movement—Pilates, walks, or stretches that resemble movement if you squint.
Hydration is... an ongoing discussion.
Skincare is in full “protect the moisture barrier at all costs” mode. Ceramides are my religion.
Sleep? That’s a 2023 project.

Also: If walking through three Christmas markets with a mulled wine counts as cardio (and I’ve decided it does), I’m basically in training.

Mindset: Soft Goals, Warmer Hearts

December is nearly here, and for once, I’m not racing into it. I’m setting softer goals. I’m reflecting without spiralling. There’s been enough hustle this year—what I want now is depth, not speed. Presence, not perfection.

I’m giving myself permission to do less, to enjoy more, and to ease into December with curiosity instead of control. No rigid planning. No dramatic detoxes. Just hot tea, sparkly nights, and the occasional moment of unexpected joy.

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