Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland

I've visited Hyde Park in London several times before, but it has truly undergone a magnificent transformation over the past week. Like I've said time and time again, people in the UK do not see Christmas as any small matter--it doesn't simply come and go. Whereas those who are Christmas-crazy in the US seem to be the minority, Christmas is literally celebrated to an astonishing extent here in London.

Hyde Park has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland for the 5 weeks leading up to Christmas. I am not exaggerating one bit when I tell you that this "winter wonderland" is like an insane reindeer-driven, eggnog-powered hybrid of a carnival, market, and festival all about this beloved wintry holiday.

These babies are dutch pancakes--they're sort of like miniature pancakes that are unbelievably fluffy and absolutely delectable when they're drizzled in Nutella and laden with bananas and powdered sugar.

All throughout the different sections of the Winter Wonderland were various performers singing live music.

They basically built a pop-up amusement park in here, complete with this huge Ferris Wheel, carnival games, rollercoasters and fun houses.

Packs of M&Ms and Toblerone bars the size of my torso were up for grabs at the games.

There even was a station where you could partake in some good British fun by giving hurling a try!

There were merry-go-rounds with bars in the center, bars that looked like ski resorts from the outside, and every kind of cider, eggnog, spiked hot chocolate drink or mulled wine you could possibly imagine. 

Per the usual, London has got Christmas very, very right.