Christmas shopping for Kids in London - M&M World, Leicester Square

The West End was packed yesterday for the Lord Mayor’s Show and all the fireworks. My colleague said that they were a sight to behold – she was on the South Bank with an excellent view. Meanwhile, I was over in Leicester Square watching all the families and tourists buzz around. The development work there makes it a bit of a building site and it’s hard to find things to do if you are waiting for your film to start (there were lots there to see TinTin). The brave probably wandered to The Trocadero Centre whilst the others strolled around China Town.

However, I thought I’d pop into the relatively new M&M World as my son had told me that it was fun. Four floors devoted to sugar coated chocolate – this I had to see. Upon entering I declined the proffered string basket and walked through the red London bus. There were so many people it was hard to decide where to go first.
My eyes were assaulted by tee shirts and sweet containers in the bold green, red, orange, blue and yellow colours. But fear not, downstairs there are dispensers with M&Ms in every colour imaginable – and even an area where kids could jump around for a bit and have your M&M colour calculated by a computer!

There’s a heavy London theme – and lots of folk were having their photo taken next to a giant M&M in a smart red uniform and bearskin hat. Others had chosen the M&M Roman Gladiator – I didn’t quite get the connection. There are toys and key rings and fridge magnets and even pet collars. Pyjamas and baby grows and even quilt covers. Lord help us!

In the kitchen area I found M&M themed mugs and dishes and even chopsticks bearing those cheeky chaps that we see on the all too prevalent TV ads. The music is loud and cheerful, Robbie Williams “Rock DJ” was in the mix as well as the obviously suitable “I want candy” by a fave old group of mine, Bow Wow Wow.

Moving past the hats and gloves section I peered down below to see giant M&Ms on a zebra crossing in a send up of the famous Beatle shot. Upstairs I found glittery sunglasses and delicate cocktail glasses and even snow globes. It reminded me of those mega-stores in Japan. I found some kids here playing with a periscope device that enabled them to sneak a peak on the store CCTV – and adjust the viewing angle. I wasn’t sure why there were signs up asking people not to touch the array of M&M folk portraits – but I guess they must get some chancers trying to take them away?

I gave up in my hunt for a simple bag of peanut M&Ms – clearly I am not a sophisticated M&M consumer! I slipped out of the crowds and round the corner to the Rendezvous café where I managed to resist the temptation for more sugar fuelled ice cream (or sugar free iced yoghurt) and took my excellent cup of cappuccino into the fresh air and sat at one of the al fresco tables to admire the view – of Leicester Square building site hoardings!

Here’s hoping that they get this iconic London landmark sorted out before the Olympics.