To kick start you post Christmas weekend we bring you our guide to surviving after the festive season, whether it’s dodging stale sprouts in favour of culinary delights or kicking back in the cinema rather than the sofa. Just call it a Christmas with a little more culture, a lot more indulgence and absolutely no leftovers.

LONDON, FRIDAY 26th DECEMBER – SUNDAY 28st DECEMBER 2014

I’m just here for a large Old Fashioned brunch
If you’re in need of some peace and quiet after the deluge of constant relatives and deodorant box sets then you should take advantage of a well kept Londoner tradition – for those in the know. London’s hotels are fairly quiet over the festive period meaning many of them are offering cut-price rooms, incredible food and perfect excuses to be a conspicuous consumer on the cheap. It’s time for a re-coup. Tell ’em we sent you.

The Connaught has the most beautiful festive displays in its grand lobby each year and horse drawn carriages to whisk you off in search of  boxing day buys should you wish. Immerse yourself in the stylishly hotel restaurant tomorrow – the perfect break in a shopping spree on Mount Street. Hélène Darroze’s take on a traditional American Saturday brunch and then some.

A real treat for boxing day deluxe drinks or a post Harrods sale marathon.

Don’t give up
By Boxing Day we’re all in need of some solitary time and the Cinema is the perfect excuse to ignore your loved ones whilst spending quality time with them if you have to.

Ridley Scott’s new blockbuster Exodus: Gods and Kings will have all you’d  expect from the Moses story including his rise up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses, setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and an never endingly terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. With a cast including Christian Bale, Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley and state of the art visual effects and 3D immersion, Scott brings new life to a story older than Christmas itself.

Exodus: Gods and Kings, 150mins, PG13

He’s behind you. Oh no he isn’t. Oh yes he is!
Picture this: The Queen is dead and after a lifetime of waiting, the prince ascends the throne. A future of power. But how will he rule? King Charles III the fourth production to transfer from the Almeida Theatre to the West End challenges exactly that but in spectacularly tongue in cheek fashion – making the accession procedures of our royal family look more like scenes from a soap opera.

King Charles III West End Trailer | Almeida Theatre, London from Almeida Theatre on Vimeo.

Mike Bartlett’s controversial new play explores hilariously the persons beneath the crowns, the unwritten rules of our democracy, and the lighter side Britain’s most famous family amidst a constitutional crisis.

King Charles III, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA
Image Credits: Tim Pigott-Smith as King Charles III by Johan Persson © Almeida Theatre

This ain’t a four pack and carton of curry after a stroll around Tesco
January is of course our favourite time to shop. The month in which a winter coat or thick knit cashmere scarf  is still necessary but ultimately can be bought at a fraction of the cost it did in December. Score.
We’ll skip the usual necessaries such as Harrods or Liberty and suggest a couple of places on our list of go-to’s you may not usually frequent. A savvy shopper is a happy shopper after all.

Retro Man in Notting Hill is the go to for anyone after something expensive at a steal price – this place is the go to for stylists, spoilt brats and anyone who didn’t like their xmas presents to offload their unwanted designer goods. If you trade in your old garbs for in store vouchers you get double the price than in cash.

Retro Man, 34 Pembridge Road, London W11 3HL

If you’re thinking of hosting at New Years or simply want to impress other party goers with some adult beverages or nibble of a luxurious nature then get online or down at Fortnum and Mason’s store in Piccadilly for food and drink bargains. Half price champagne, chocolates and  homewares make this on elf the best and surprisingly less manic sales in London. No tourists in puffer jackets or sheepskin boots in sight.

Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A 1ER, London.