Saturday 18 July 2015

Festive Q&As with Kate, Paris and Laura!










What sits on top of your Christmas tree?


An extremely tacky star. It’s covered in gold glitter and becomes more threadbare year on year.

Favourite Christmas song?


This is a hard one, I like so many. I’m going to say Fairytale of New Year by The Pogues, which is probably which everyone says, but it holds some fond memories for me. My husband and I got married on December 23rd 2005 and headed off on honeymoon on Christmas Eve. We spent our night in a bar and this was playing as we sipped on our drinks, revelling in newly married smugness and a festive good mood. And where was the bar? New York City.

Favourite Christmas movie?


Love Actually. It has that perfect balance of laughter and tears, a brilliant soundtrack and a clever plot. I adore it.

Favourite festive foodie treat?


As someone who’s lived in Yorkshire for the last seventeen years, I’ve got to say Yorkshire puddings! I always drown them in mint sauce- delicious!

The best part of Christmas is…


Not having to go to the day job, as that means I get to spend time with my family. The nativity service at church is always a highlight too- it finishes at around 5.30 on Christmas Eve and after that we return home to new pyjamas, a reading of The Night Before Christmas and leaving out a mince pie and a beer for Santa.

The worst part of Christmas is…


The rushing around. There are never enough hours in the day and this is amplified when there are all the extra things to fit in like nights out, writing cards and wrapping presents.

Your best, and worst, Christmas present?


My son Zachary was born on December 19th so I always say he was the best Christmas present I could have wished for! As for the worst…it’s a bit of a joke that I love Worcester sauce flavour French Fries. My husband bought me some to go in my stocking, and when I unwrapped them the first thing I noticed was that they were out of date! I’m REALLY fussy about dates on food, so I’ll say that was the worst present.

When do you do your Christmas shopping?


In the past I’ve started very early, sometimes even buying things in the January sales. In recent years I’ve become more laid back about it and decided that although I might not get as many bargains I’d prefer to shop closer to Christmas, and on the high street if possible. We normally have one Saturday towards the end of November where we go and buy the bulk of the things we need.

Any Christmas Day traditions?


We always have new pyjamas on Christmas Eve, ready to wake up in on Christmas Day, and save our stockings to open after lunch to prolong the present opening!

Favourite Christmas book?


Dear Santa by Rod Campbell. It’s the perfect book for the toddler in your life! My son used to love the excitement of lifting the flaps, even though we’d read it so many times he knew the story inside out.

Favourite Christmassy book cover?


I really love the subtlty of the cover for Rebecca Raisin’s Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread CafĂ©. It has that magical winter feel without being stereotypically Christmassy.

Book sat at the top of your Christmas in July wishlist?


Is this the one I’m planning to read that I can’t wait to start, or the one I’d love to get as a gift if Christmas were now? I think One Hundred Christmas Proposals by Holly Martin is going to be the first book I read for the challenge. But the book I most want right now? I’d love an early copy of I Knew You Were Trouble by Paige Toon…

When did you find out Santa wasn’t real? Or is he real?


I’ve seen him every year, so he must be real! Although I do think he’s addicted to plastic surgery, as although his beard and stomach are always familiar, his face seems to change quite regularly…

How would you spend your ideal Christmas?


We’re hoping to go back to New York this year as it’s our 10th anniversary. It’ll be the first time since Zachary was born that we’ll have been to America and I can’t wait to show him the giant tree at Rock Center and the extravagantly decorated shop windows.

That sounds idea to me- my family around me and a bit of an adventure to add to the excitement.

Thanks for having me, Sophie!!!










What sits on top of your Christmas tree?


A sparkly penguin, naturally!

Favourite Christmas song?


Fairytale of New York, it makes me smile every time.

Favourite Christmas movie?


Miracle on 34th Street, Richard Attenborough is the perfect Santa <3

Favourite festive foodie treat?


Gingerbread men. And mince pies. And the roast. Basically, all of it apart from Christmas Pudding, which I can’t stand!

The best part of Christmas is…


Being surrounded by my nearest and dearest.

The worst part of Christmas is…


The comedown when it’s all over!

Your best, and worst, Christmas present?


Books, obviously, or penguins. Last year I got a beautiful box set of the Harry Potter books. Worst…actually, I think I’ve always been quite lucky with presents. I think people always know if they can’t find anything, get me a penguin and you can’t go wrong!

When do you do your Christmas shopping?


I always plan to it reeeally early, but It never actually happens and there’s always something I end up running around last minute for, driving myself mad!

Any Christmas Day traditions?


Having separated parents and big families on both sides means it’s always a tricky time trying to fit in seeing everyone, so I tend to do different things every year. I do always like to wake up to a hot chocolate with Baileys in, because it’s the only day of the year that’s acceptable, so that’s my own little tradition! This year will be my baby brother’s first Christmas, so that’ll be very exciting, and things will be very different going forward having a baba around!

Favourite Christmas book?


It’s hard to pick as I love so many! Last year I read Jenny Hale’s A Christmas to Remember, which was pretty darn perfect.

Favourite Christmassy book cover?


I love Scarlett Bailey’s Secret Santa, it’s simple but perfectly Christmassy.

Book sat at the top of your Christmas in July wishlist?


Having loved last year’s, I desperately have to read Jenny Hale’s previous Christmas book Coming Home for Christmas, that’s number 1 on my list this year.

When did you find out Santa wasn’t real? Or is he real?


Of course he’s real!

How would you spend your ideal Christmas?


Surrounded by the people I love. Preferably with snow and Baileys.












What sits on top of your Christmas tree?


A glittery silver star

Favourite Christmas song?


The Pogues, A Fairytale of New York

Favourite Christmas movie?


That’s a tough one! I love Miracle on 34th Street but also Santa Clause, Elf & Home Alone

Favourite festive foodie treat?


My mum makes her own pigs in blankets, doused in honey and mustard. oh my goodness.

The best part of Christmas is…


Family, food and presents.

The worst part of Christmas is…


Trying to be as organised as possible and not be last-minute with everything.

Your best, and worst, Christmas present?


Best = Now I’m older I tend to get money for Christmas to go towards holidays etc which is always really nice! A tradition in our family is my mum always get a new pack of jazzy, bright coloured socks for us. Maybe not the best present, but a tradition that makes me smile!

Worst = a hand knitted bright pink fluffy jumper with short sleeves. what?!

When do you do your Christmas shopping?


I try and do it quite early on so it’s all done and I can relax, so I tend to start at the end of November and finish by early December.

Any Christmas Day traditions?


A glass of fizz at lunchtime with some nibbles. And a pair of socks as part of our stocking is a must.

Favourite Christmas book?


I loved Christmas Gifts at the Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond and also Twelve Days of Christmas by Trisha Ashley

Favourite Christmassy book cover?


Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan - simple, bright and pretty!

Book sat at the top of your Christmas in July wishlist?


I must admit I haven’t read that many Christmassy books which I need to address this year, so I have a fair list! A few are- Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews, Christmas Magic by Cathy Kelly and The Little Christmas Kitchen by Jenny Oliver

I’m also really looking forward to My Big Fat Christmas Wedding by Samantha Tonge

When did you find out Santa wasn’t real? Or is he real?


I can’t remember exactly when I found out, I think I was in primary school. But because my sister is younger than me I got to pretend for a few more years that he was real, which kept the magic alive!

How would you spend your ideal Christmas?


How I do now, surrounded by my lovely family, eating great food, chatting and laughing, exchanging presents and then crashing out in PJ’s eating chocolates and watching Christmas tele. The best :)



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