Revealed: Where to find your Christmas presents in Wimbledon
I hit the streets of Wimbledon this week to ask residents for festive advice
Good morning Wimblers — welcome to this week’s newsletter. I trust that everyone is having a nice, albeit cold, Thursday. We’re at 3,800 subscribers right now, but I think with enough shares we could hit that 4,000 mark by the end of the year!
I know many of you forward this newsletter to friends every week, but I have one more request: that you also encourage people to join our free mailing list so they get The Wimble in their inboxes too.
We received a lovely email from a reader called Andrew this week. He wrote: “Zak, the quality of your writing is truly superb. The Wimble is a perfect mix of features and titbits of news. I hope the subscriber base continues to build and that The Wimble remains a permanent feature of SW19 life.” Messages like this mean so much to me and the rest of the team, so please do get in touch whenever the mood strikes.
This week, we have those all-important news snippets, plus a property of the week that isn’t an 18-bedroom mansion for £10 million. We’ve also got a lovely photo of the week, some festive recommendations and a feature section with local residents where I ask them four key Christmassey questions. Scroll down below to see how other SW19 locals buy their gifts and spend their holidays.
Get in touch if you have any suggestions, leads, tips, ideas or feedback. Other than that, happy reading!
The Wimble’s to do list 🎭
❄️ The Snowy Day: There is no better feeling than waking up as a child and seeing snow from your window. It’s one of those core memories that seems to stay with you for the rest of your life. I remember my first time; it was that London snow — the grey, smushed, rock-filled sort. But I loved it all the same. Head down to the Polka this week to watch Ezra Jack Keats’ award-winning picture book come to life through song and dance. The show is specifically designed for 1-4 year olds and features an original score, one dancer and an “enchanting” set. Grab your tickets here.
Where: Polka Theatre
When: Friday 6 December - Sunday 2 February
🍪 Christmas Cookie Ornament Decorating: Get yourself down to Wimbledon Quarter for a day of Christmas culinary fun. Spend an hour or two creating festive and edible designs to hang from your Christmas tree this year. There will be drop-in sessions throughout the day, but make sure to book ahead.
Where: Wimbledon Quarter
When: Saturday 7 December - Sunday 8 December
🧑🎄 Carols in the Stables: Sing carols in one of Wimbledon’s cosiest venues: the Village stables. There will be warm drinks, mulled wine and mince pies. What’s not to love? All of the evening’s proceeds go to the Royal Marsden Cancer charity, so it’s for a good cause too! Tickets are available here.
Where: Wimbledon Village Stables
When: Saturday 7 December, 5:00 PM and 6:15 PM
🛍 Lecture: London’s Lost Department Stores: An Arts Society Wimbledon lecture by Tessa Boase. This talk is all about those grand and ambitious department stores of the Victorian and Edwardian era. Think high ceilings and intricate detail. Join Tessa Boase as she takes you on a tour through history, starting with Oxford Street’s “golden mile”. See more info here.
Where: Sacred Heart Church Hall, Edge Hill, Wimbledon (or Zoom)
When: Wednesday 11 December, 7:30 PM - onwards
🧵 A Tudor Christmas — Family Craft Workshop: It’s your chance to relive the day that King Henry VIII visited Wimbledon in 1546 and hear about the royal visit from the king’s apothecary, Thomas Alsop. You’ll also be able to create your own Tudor decorations such as beeswax candles, festive ornaments and clove-studded oranges. Book your tickets now.
Where: Wimbledon Museum
When: Sunday 8 December, 1:30PM - 5:30 PM
🍺 Pub Quiz at the Dog & Fox: It’s December. It’s the season of pub festivities, of getting together and playing games. Head up to the Dog & Fox next Wednesday for a classic pub quiz. Bring your smartest friends. Bring your general knowledge. Bring your A game. See you there.
Where: Dog & Fox
When: Wednesday 11 December, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
News snippets 🗞
🚨 A 13-year-old Wimbledon girl has been sentenced to 18 months in custody after stabbing her adoptive mother. The girl, who was just 12 at the time of the attack, stabbed her adoptive mother in the arm at home on March 2. The girl went on to attack three care workers with the same knife and has since pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, though she has denied attempting to murder the victim. Read more about what the judge told her during the hearing here.
📚 The Department of Education has approved new SEND provisions in Merton. The move means that Bedelsford School has been granted permission to open a satellite site in Morden, providing 40 places for children with special education needs. The site at The Chaucer Centre is only temporary and pupils and staff will move to a brand new Free-School in September 2027. Read what Councillor Sally Kenny had to say about the impact of the approval here.
📣 Huddle coworking space is set to open at Wimbledon Quarter in January. Huddle offers everything from a meeting room for an hour to a private office for the whole year. There will also be The Fire Station Cafe opening from mid-January for those local residents who fancy a coffee, pastry and a chance to meet like-minded people. The Wimble has teamed up with Huddle to offer you, the readers, a free coworking day with the code HUDDLEW25 when you book online (you won’t be able to see this promotion until January when the space opens).
🚔 Detectives have released an E-fit of a man who is suspected of sexually assaulting a woman in Morden Recreation Park. The victim was with her family at the time of the attack on Sunday 20 October. Check out the image the police are using and who to contact if you know something here.
Property of the week 🏡
I’ve decided that enough is enough with the mini-mansions of Wimbledon — at least for this week. So here is a one-bedroom flat right in the heart of Wimbledon’s town centre. It may not be big, but gosh is it pretty. I like the almost rugged finish of the wood; it screams “I only buy coffee from independent shops”. I’m also a big fan of that fur beanbag (or is that a chair?). But, alas, none of this furniture comes with the flat. On that note, big shout out to whoever currently lives here because you certainly know how to dress a place up! This Worple Road one-bed is on the market for £400,000 (ouch, I know). Check out some more photos and the floorplan here.
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Has the Christmas spirit hit Wimbledon’s locals yet? 🎄
I was in a sort of Richard Curtis-ey mood when I stepped out into Wimbledon town centre this week to ask a random selection of locals about their Christmas so far. Christmas songs were playing from Wimbledon Quarter’s tannoy system. The trees on Queen’s Road were festively lit up. The air was sharp and cold and the questions were straightforward: What was the first Christmas present you bought this year? Where would you normally go to do your Christmas shopping in Wimbledon? How many presents do you think you’ll buy this year? And, what’s the most festive thing you’ve done so far? Thank you to those who spoke to me. Apologies to anyone who thought I was trying to sell them something in the street!
Jouni
First present this year:
Oh, I got some stuff on Black Friday. You know, shoes and trainers. Basically a few early presents for the wife and kids.
Where do you go to shop:
I mostly buy online, to be honest. But when I do buy gifts in Wimbledon, I tend to get them from The Body Shop or Space NK.
How many presents will you buy:
I don’t usually count but we’re talking about buying for my wife and children. We’ve also got a dog and a cat … I’d probably say around 10-20 gifts this year.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
Well, we’ve got a potted Christmas tree in the garden, so I went and brought that in and we decorated it. I also hung some … what do you call it — mistletoe! I hung some mistletoe on the door.
Editha
First present this year:
Nothing yet! I’ll start soon.
Where do you go to shop:
I’m thinking of going to Pandora this year because my daughter is 21 and I can get her something nice there.
How many presents will you buy:
Probably six.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
Just shopping for food, really. I can’t really do too much yet because I’m busy with work.
Sophie
First present this year:
I went to TK Maxx because I do a stocking for my mum each year. She doesn’t really buy much for herself, she just tends to steal my makeup. So I do a stocking of skincare and makeup items and TK Maxx always has the best deals for that sort of stuff.
Where do you go to shop:
I’m gonna have to double down on TK Maxx. Look, they just have some good deals, some good brands and you can get yourself a bit of a bargain.
How many presents will you buy:
Probably about 57 because I do all of my friends and family and I like to treat them.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
I’ve been ice skating at Wimbledon Quarter. That was a lot of fun.
Mischa
First present this year:
I’ve bought some toys from the Transport Museum and I’ve also got some tea and … a hat.
Where do you go to shop:
Probably just the town centre and along the high street.
How many presents will you buy:
In the range of 10-20, I’d say. Yeah, about that many.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
I went to the Frankfurt market in Birmingham which was super busy. I also went to the Queen’s House Ice Rink which was cool because it wasn’t too crowded.
Ed
First present this year:
I bought an electric globe from Ryman’s.
Where do you go to shop:
It seems it’s become more difficult than it used to be. Gosh, I don’t know. Let’s just say there’s not one place.
How many presents will you buy:
Well, my wife tends to buy most of them. So, personally, I’ll say about seven.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
I sang some carols at the Dog & Fox which was lovely. That was with my choir, the Wimbledon Community Chorus.
Kelly
First present this year:
I bought two Pandora charms for my nieces. Those were my first ones. I started all my shopping on Black Friday … I waited [laughs].
Where do you go to shop:
I’d probably shop around Elys. Where else? The Quarter, definitely. TK Maxx for those stocking fillers. The Works because my niece likes books!
How many presents will you buy:
I did my list the other day … let me think. 10.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
I came along to WinterFest which was great. It was lovely. I also went out for Christmas drinks at the Old Frizzle on Friday with the girls. But most of my festive events are coming up, to be honest.
Geoff
First present this year:
I haven’t bought anything yet. I’ll probably do it all on Christmas Eve [laughs].
Where do you go to shop:
Elys is quite good.
How many presents will you buy:
I think around 10.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
I went carol singing at Trinity Church which is pretty festive.
David
First present this year:
Just groceries for Christmas Eve. I’m going to make a traditional Filipino dish.
Where do you go to shop:
Usually I’ll go to M&S for the food, maybe Pandora for a few gifts, JD Sports and Mountain Warehouse.
How many presents will you buy:
I have a wife and two daughters, so probably three.
What’s the most festive thing you’ve done this year:
We went as a family to central London to see the Christmas lights and to have a look at the London Eye.
Anonymous member of the public
First present this year:
I haven’t bought anything because I can’t afford to right now. It’s a tough time of year. I’ve got three kids and my wife. I’d love to take my wife to Los Angeles on a trip but it’s a crucial time of the year for everybody … not just me. Follow the news every morning, people are suffering.
How are you coping?
We manage to put food on the table and sometimes we can afford to put a lot of food. My kids love to ask for takeaways and deliveries but for £46 I’d rather go to Lidl and get food for today, tomorrow and the next day.
What message would you like to put out there to others this Christmas?
Help each other. It’s a crucial time. Don’t close your door on another person, open it. Be humble. It’s the only way to get through that crucial season or time. That’s all there is to it. Help each other.
Photo of the week 📸
This lovely photo was sent to me by Jean Shipton from the Wimbledon Museum team. The photo was taken at Ravensbury Park and is what I like to call a “hidden gem”. Thanks for sending this in! Please keep them coming: zak@thewimble.com.
Question of the week 🔍
Last week I asked you which singer from Fairport Convention died in Wimbledon. The answer: Sandy Denny.
Q: Which famous presenter of Big Brother was born in Wimbledon?
You’re up to date 👋
Thanks for reading this week! I hope you enjoyed the newsletter. Please do share the post via the button below if you haven’t already. Get in touch if you have anything you want to say or share. Other than that, have a great rest of the week and I’ll see you next time.
I loved the Christmas theme this week. And that was a beautiful photo that Jean sent in. I found the comments from the anonymous person regarding what they will be buying and doing for Christmas very moving. Perhaps an article on those less fortunate in Wimbledon?