Sir Paul Smith is designing the Claridge’s Christmas tree this year with plans for a traditional (and huge) 19ft tree decorated with 100 bespoke birdhouses, “all with a playful Paul Smith twist, with roofs decorated in playing cards, postage stamps and dice,” we’re told. 

He’s collaborated with two ‘friends of the house’ on the decorations. They are British architect Nik Ramage, who will make a series of mechanical birdhouses, and design studio, Studiomama, which will create a series of whimsical ‘Off Cut Creatures’ to sit around the base of the tree. 

He said he and his family have stayed and dined at Clardige’s for many years.

The Claridge’s Christmas tree has long been a seasonal London landmark and this is the 14th year the hotel has invited “a distinguished friend to reinterpret the Christmas tree in their own distinctive style”.

And of course, as well as being an appealing Christmas tradition, given the hotel’s popularity among affluent international tourists and business travellers, the tree will also put the Paul Smith name and signature style in front of a host of big spending visitors.