Watching all the merry couples (who seem to multiply at this time of year), wondering what their replacement got their ex-boyfriend for Christmas, and having only a pillow for warmth on those long cold winter nights does not make Christmas a particularly enjoyable time of year for the fairer sex. 

‘Ah-ha,’ I hear you say. ‘Doesn’t that make them shy, unresponsive and prone to lash out unless if approached in anything but the most charming way?’ That, dear readers, is where you are wrong. (Though charm is always STRONGLY recommended when talking to women.) 

The holiday season opens up an entirely new set of possibilities. Knowing what Christmas holds, some women may try to avoid it but that tactic is nigh on impossible which convienently leaves single girls spectacularly approachable at this time of year. 

They may not really feel like it but single girls have little choice but to get on with the social requirements of Christmas. That should not stop you trying to inject a small bit of festive cheer into their lives. 

Women are, by definition, reluctant to give up hope in mankind. When all hope is lost women will simply (and admirably, it must be said) look on the bright side. Perhaps it’s the long dark nights and soft lighting but most men no longer seem repulsive. Do not underestimate yourself. 

I know it is late in the season and the office parties, random get-togethers and standard Christmas events are drawing to a close, but there is one big night left, New Year’s Eve. So even if you have not had an opportunity to test my thesis yet, do the following: Picture yourself at a New Year’s Eve party. There are a few beautiful women chatting in a corner. You have established that they are single but you have also convinced yourself that they are a coven of witches. I guarantee that you will be pleasantly surprised when you start chatting to them. Christmas, for all its faults for single people, does appear to make us, women especially, look on the optimistic side of life. 

You never know where it may lead and most singles are not averse to a kiss beneath the mistletoe, neither party expecting anything but going away with at least a little bit of that Christmas feeling and their faith in the other sex somewhat (even if only slightly) restored before the promise of a new year. 

Seasons Greetings readers, I’ll be back with some more musings on singledom in the 2011.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Ice-skating in the picturesque Somerset House. Photo: Wiki Will/ Flickr

Maybe it’s because the ticket for a flight back home is too expensive. Or perhaps you’re one of the many stranded snow exiles. Maybe it’s because of an internship opportunity that has come up. Or maybe it’s just because you want to experience the Christmas festivities abroad.

Whatever the reason, if you are an international and you are spending Christmas in London this year, there are plenty of activities and events to keep you busy during the holiday period.

Here are some of The First Pint’s recommendations:

SWEDISH CHRISTMAS CONCERT:

This event at Wigmore Hall on 23 December celebrates Christmas through some of the most traditional Swedish carols, along with some classics such as Gounod’s Jewel Song from the Faust, and Bach’s and Liszt’s pieces. Among the performers, soprano Susanna Andersson, pianist Bengt Forsberg and cellist Mats Lidström, who is also premiering his composition The Stamp King for piano, cello and narrator. Swedish mulled wine and gingerbread will be served during the interval. Tickets from £12.

CHRISTMAS AT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS HOUSE:

A place where internationals can feel at home, the ISH is organising a traditional British Christmas party that lasts all day. The celebrations start at 12pm with a drink, followed by a three-course English Christmas meal, the Queen’s speech, a walk in Regent park and then a party with drinks and nibbles and a movie marathon till 9 pm. Tickets cost £10 for students, £30 for alumni and £35 for guests, and can be booked by calling ISH on 0207 323 7233.

The Helter Skelter at Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. Photo: BitchBuzz / Flckr

Until 4 January, Hyde Park has been transformed into a real wonderland, with an open-air skating rink, an observation wheel and a winter circus. There are also several places to eat, like the Spiegel Saloon, which offers comfort food like burgers and sausages, and bars – from the traditional Star Tavern to the clubby E:Cube, with DJs and cocktails. There are also several rides (prices start from £2), Santa’s Grotto for kids, and a Christmas market where you can buy gifts and food. Entry is free, but some of the attractions must be booked in advance andpaid for (tickets for the ice-skating cost £10, the wheel starts from £7.50 per adult). Winter Wonderland is opened from 10 am to 10 pm, and will close on 25 December only. 

SOMERSET HOUSE ICE RINK:

Famous for its art, design and fashion events, Somerset House is hosting a glamourous ice-rink sponsored by Tiffany until the 23 of January 2011 . It is open until 11.30 pm and on selected Fridays and Saturdays, Djs will play till late. Not very confident about skating on the ice? Then the skate school is for you, with classes taking place on selected dates. Tickets for the ice-rink start from £10.50 and can be booked on somersethouse.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 1520.

MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS AT TOWER OF LONDON:

 Between the 27 of December and the 31, in addition to the traditional tour of the Tower of London, visitors can enjoy the experience of a truly medieval Christmas celebration. In the restored Medieval Palace, you can step back to 1284 and see how festivities looked at the court of King Edward I, with a table laid out with a thirteen century feast, fools, entertainers and musicians performing. Tickets are included in the standard ticket price.

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES:

Pantomimes are a part of the British Christmas traditon and one of the funnest ways to enjoy the holidays. Pantos showing across London this Christmas  include, Sleeping Beauty ( 11 December – 2 January at Beck Theatre), The Snowman (1 December – 9 January at Peacock Theatre), Puss in Boots (18 December – 9 January at Arts Theatre) and Snow White (13 December – 3 January at Shaw Theatre).

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

A Christmas Cracker, a staple of English Christmas, was made by Londoner Tom Smith. Photo credit: Sparkly Kate / Flickr

Staying true to its cosmopolitan nature, an amalgamation of imports greets a Christmas in the capital.

Like the Royal family, many of our traditions have been snatched from Germany: Christmas trees, glühwein and stollen cake, and even advent calendars.

But distinctly English elements remain, which baffle newcomers who spend the day in London.
On Christmas morning, with stockings discarded and wrapping paper littering the lounge, families and friends sit down for dinner and pull their crackers.

English folk fail to notice anything strange in donning rainbow-coloured paper hats like kings, reading jokes written by delinquents, and playing with plastic toys made for two-year-olds. It all stems back to Londoner Tom Smith, who in the 1840s used the gimmick of pretty wrapping and words to save his failing bon bon business. It worked, so unfold that paper crown and pass the gravy.

With piles of turkey, stuffing, parsnips, and a plethora of pigs in blankets, it was hoped that brussel sprouts could by now have been forgotten. But alas, they endure.

Filled with sweet alcohol, all English mums have their favourite Christmas pudding recipies. Photo credit: Matt Riggott / Flickr

Despite the majority’s distaste for this tiny green cabbage, they somehow make it to the dinner table every year, and onto everyone’s plate. Prepare yourself with the Attack of the Sprouts game.

But a sweet treat will follow, with the arrival of the hot Christmas pudding. Traditionalists still prepare the pud weeks in advance, leaving the fruit to soak up the spices, and then steaming it for hours on Christmas day. The topping is an integral part; soaked in brandy and set alight, or drizzled with brandy butter, or creamy custard.

After Christmas dinner

All must be consumed by 3pm, when Her Majesty takes to the airwaves and internet and telly to bring good tidings to the Commonwealth. The content is largely obsolete; the Queen’s Speech merely marks the shift from table to television just as the grey sky (for it is always grey) darkens. An alternative can be found on Channel 4, who since the nineties have broadcast everyone from Marge Simpson to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

After musing on the Royal reflections, flick through a copy of the Radio Times Christmas issue – which will list the reappearance of favourite films and comedy duos from years gone by. Be charmed by Wallace and Gromit, and avoid the melodrama of British soap operas, outdoing each other in scenes of social breakdown.

A couple of hours drift by before someone opens another box of Cadbury’s Roses, and the octogenarians in the room hunt out the sherry and the port.

Late night games

To wrap up your English Christmas experience, have a nice mince pie. Photo credit: Girl Interrupted Eating / Flickr

As evening draws in night, whether it is Scrabble, Monopoly, or something a little less timeless, no amount of technological advancement will prevent the appearance of the board game.

Warm mince pies keep the players playing, which for many years have had nothing to do with mince-meat at all. Packed with dried fruit and parceled in pasty, they vie for attention with Christmas cake. The latter however is merely fruit cake dressed up with a tartan ribbon and a festive message scrawled onto white icing.

The elderly snoring on the sofa marks the close of Christmas day. And so to bed.

To wake on Boxing Day, which once was used to give boxes or gifts to the poor or the workers. Now it exists as an overspill of Christmas, with turkey sandwiches, and television, and one more mince pie.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Who can resist such adorable cup cakes? Photo: Carmen Kong

London is blossoming with Christmas markets in all corners. Among them, The First Pint has discovered an unusual trend that has come to stay: Private, underground markets that bring the traditions to life – and in someone’s flat!

Yes – you heard us right. A private flat close to Kilburn held a homey and magical Christmas Market last Sunday. The bedroom was transformed into a wonderland of crafts, decorations and hand-made Christmas cards and gifts; the kitchen was turned into a classroom for bread baking and Christmas porridge; the living room was swamped with dazzled guests whose eyes and taste buds were glued to colourful home-made cupcakes, chilli-and-ginger flavour fudge, Ubuntu chocolates and flirtatiously-tasting mulled wine, and the garden was spelled with the smell of Christmas cuisine from different parts of Britain, France and Somalia.

It was heaven, and it was pretty packed. With more than 100 stallholders and about 350 guests, the underground Christmas market was organised by an avid and successful food blogger, known as “MsMarmitelover”. This active food-lover attracted many more equally enthusiastic food makers. Most of them produce fresh, homemade and unique produce and were looking for an appreciative audience.

One can never have enough handcrafted chocolate. Photo: Carmen Kong

Emily and Sarah, from House of Chutney, used to make chutneys and pickles as Christmas and birthday gifts for their families and friends before turning their hobby into a business. Now they produce homemade chutney, a pasty sauce, in a variety of flavours using traditional methods and no artificial addictives. Like many of the producers in this market, Emily and Sarah put a personal twist into their final products – many customers were attracted by the beautiful cloth jar wrapping, each different from the others. Emily explained that since her father worked in a textile company in Ireland, she was inspired to use leftover textile to decorate and personalise their chutney, making every jar one of its kind.

It was just one of the many examples of how pleasantly refreshing Christmas gifts at this underground market can be. Stallholders enjoyed sharing their experience and recipes with fond food-lovers and it created a true Christmas spirit of community, awe and fun!

Although the Underground Christmas Market was a one-time event, underground farmers markets are held regularly at MsMarmitelover’s home. Check out MsMarmitelover’s blog for more information.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Keeping the underground safe and secure. Photo: British Transport Police

Getting close under the Kissing Tree in Covent Garden. Drinking mulled wine at the Cologne Christmas market along the South Bank. Gift-hunting along Oxford Street. And the tube home.

Thousands of people will use the tube during December, but few will think twice about who’s watching them. With more drinks flowing, and more shopping bags to carry, it’s little wonder that the crime rate on the Underground rises during the festive season. But tackling thieves and drunks are around 700 British Transport Police Officers, touring the trains and stations to make sure people aren’t causing trouble, or in trouble.

Inspector Gadget

One of their team is PC Matthew Shepherd, who has been with BTP for three years. He is kitted up with more tools than Inspector Gadget when we meet on a chilly Friday night at Finsbury Park station. His chest is littered with notebooks and a digital radio, masking his stab-proof vest. A strong belt carries a baton, handcuffs, and the pepper spray he has never used.

Even without the high-vis layer and traditional policeman’s hat, a BTP officer is a striking figure. Visibility is a key part of Matthew’s job: some suspicious people see him in a station and walk the other way. His presence along the Piccadilly line acts as a deterrent, and reassures people that the underground is safe. The tube is a low crime area, although over the 2009/2010 year over 6,000 thefts were reported on the tube and DLR.

The more mundane parts of the job include stopping people jumping ticket barriers and dealing with incapable drunk people, but BTP officers also deal with mental health issues, and organised pick-pocketers. “There’s no average shift. I enjoy the variety, and the possibility,” Matthew said.

Reaching Out

He also works with the Metropolitan Police on big events such as football matches or concerts, and neighbourhood policing schemes. Above ground, the team runs monthly station surgeries, where residents and passengers can voice their concerns. In November they visited the Metropolitan University to talk to freshers about staying safe on the trains; the complicated tube system means that newcomers are easily spotted and targeted by thieves.

Customer Service is a big part of the Transport Police's role. Photo: British Transport Police

The BTP have a team dedicated to tackling theft, and use monthly crime stats to flag up problem areas on the tube network. At Holloway Road tube, Matthew and his colleagues disperse, working alone to be more approachable. Matthew is quick to ask a confused-looking man if he’s OK and answer his questions; “It’s the ultimate customer service job,” he says.

The team spends 85 per cent of their time on patrol, and inevitably build up strong relationships with the Underground staff. Matthew waves to each passing train driver, and answers passenger queries on this quiet night. But soon the throngs will arrive with their parcels and party plans, and Matthew and his team will be there to keep them safe. As the calendar ticks over to 2011, they will still be there, perhaps catching a glimpse of the fireworks. “That’s a bonus,” Matthew hopes for.

How to be Tubewise:

• Avoid travelling alone.
• Know your route before you travel.
• Be aware of your surroundings; try not to miss your stop.
• Use a bag with a zip; this is a big deterrent for thieves.
• Move carriage if you feel uncomfortable.
• If you do encounter a problem, alert staff or go to a help point, which connects you directly to the BTP control room.
• If you are a victim of theft, cancel your bank cards immediately.

PC Matthew Shepherd and Rosie Scammell got in touch through Harringay Online:  www.harringayonline.com

To get in touch with Matthew’s team, please e-mail:  piccadillylinenorth.npt@btp.pnn.police.uk

To report a crime, or for general enquiries, call the BTP on: 0800 40 50 40

Transport for London: www.tfl.gov.uk

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

The tradition of Christmas Dinner seems like the only time this skinny-obsessed society indulges in an orgy of food. If you decide to participate, you can be as easygoing or industrious as you like; Sainsbury’s and the local pub both offer Christmas fare, but you can always try to invite yourself to your English friend’s family dinner—odds are, mentioning your pitiful foray into online grocery shopping will guarantee an invitation. Just don’t get your timing wrong; the meal is usually eaten at midday.

If you happened to be on a diet before reading this article’s first paragraph, don’t fret—history will back you all the way if you decide to put on a few extra kilos this Christmas. The Christmas Feast for King John of England, circa 1213, consisted of 3000 capons (roosters), 1000 salted eels, 400 hogs, 100 pounds of almonds and 24 casks of wine. That guy knew how to celebrate.

The British touch to this festivity is the crackers—hollow cardboard tubes wrapped in bright paper. Two people pull the ends, there’s a bang, and then surprise: out fall the goodies. Most people end up with colourful party crowns on their heads.

Once the food is cleared, it seems most British families watch the live broadcast of the traditional Queen’s Speech and play board games. I somehow doubt they would want to play a football match.

If, after your midday dinner, a bit of wine has gone to your head, don’t suppress the urge to sing a few Christmas Carols—others are sure to join in.

So wherever your are on the 25th of December, The First Pint wishes you a hearty meal and a good time.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.

Photo Credit: SamPac/Flickr

Homelessness in London is hard to ignore. Nearly 5000 people sleep on the city’s streets. Due to the recession, even more individuals and families have fallen on hard times.

The tragedy of this situation hits even harder during the holidays, and this year, charities that typically enjoy increased support in winter are seeing a dip in contributions.

Still, organizations throughout the city are making persistent efforts to improve the lives of London’s rough sleepers. And new legislation promises to eradicate homelessness within three years.

Meanwhile, thousands of people live life on the fringe, unemployed and without roofs over their heads. In the following video, Morade Azzouz takes a closer look at the life of London’s homeless and the city’s efforts to improve their lot, a little bit at a time.

Read more from The First Pint, the international's guide to all that London offers.