If you’re anything like us (and trust us, you are) you would rather have raisins crammed into your ear canal than shop on Regent/Oxford St at the moment. And also like us, you might prefer holding things in your sparklingly clean hands than buying everything online. Well have you ever thought about Christmas shopping in Greater Kennington? 

Sandwiched incongruously between a betting shop and a minicab firm in Oval, Max and Melia is a gift and home accessories shop full of things that look lovely but you don’t really need. We recently undertook a masked, incognito visit and here’s what we found.  They stock an array of household adornments such as cushions, candles, vintage glassware, bookends, old photographs, and pictures. At the moment they have a definite Christmassy vibe and stock ornaments, wrapping, cards, and other festive baubles to make your pad looking shiny and merry. They are open six days a week and apparently right up to Christmas

If you wander around our sanctified abode it’s amazing what you can discover by serendipity. Max and Melia has been around for eight years, but we only just discovered the place. It isn’t exactly on the cheap side but lets be honest – it’s been a pretty shitty year and we deserve to treat ourselves and our loved ones. Next week we’ll have a rundown of further places where you can pick up some presents or general Christmas joy.