My big fat Essex Christmas BILLIE FAIERS
We talk to the 31-year-old TV star about her epic family Christmas – their traditions, preparations and her efforts to make the festive season magical...
‘MY FAVOURITE THING IS MAKING LOVELY MEMORIES’
FESTIVE PREP
To cope with the overwhelming Christmas prep, I always write a to-do list. I love a list. Pen to paper is always better than on your phone – I pop mine on the fridge where I can see it and add to it. I also try not to let buying gifts take over – it’s about being together with family and celebrating the year and having fun. A phone detox and time out with a cup of tea helps, too!
DECKING THE HALLS
I put my tree up in the first week of December. I used to always buy a real tree every year, but I’ve had a really good artificial tree for the last four years now. My trick is that I buy scented tree sticks that smell like a Christmas tree, they work really well. I go for a white, gold and silver colour theme. Last year I did start adding a little more colour to it as well. I like to add to my decoration collection every year. I also hire Cupid Creative to decorate my front door every year. We usually go for a theme, I like to have a look on Pinterest to help me decide. I always do the inside of the house myself, and the tree with the kids, that’s a real tradition.
FUN TRADITIONS
We always go to Lapland UK, I love taking
Nelly, seven, and Arthur, four, there, it’s so much fun. I’ve also booked Winter Wonderland, and I have the elves come from Elf Express Ltd – they do a doorstep visit. Plus I do Christmas Eve boxes for Nelly and Arthur, packed with Christmas pyjamas for that night and a couple of little treats. We love to have a picture around the tree in our matching PJs. Last year when we brought out the kids’ Christmas pyjamas at George at Asda, I wished I had a pair for myself. So this year the range includes adult pyjamas for me and [husband] Greg to wear, too. They’re so cosy and comfortable. We all love to wear our PJs on Christmas Eve and the morning of Christmas Day, too.
THE BIG DAY
When it comes to picking an outfit for Christmas Day, I like to glam up but still be comfortable. I dress the kids up a little smartly, but want them to be comfortable too. I already have their outfits sorted. For our Christmas Day lunch we always pre-order a turkey, a saltbeef and a gammon. The cooking is a real family effort between me, my mum and my nan. One year we cooked for 28 of us – we still laugh to this day and wonder how we pulled it off. We spent the night before on Christmas Eve peeling potatoes and preparing all of the veg. Then we put it all in the garage in water, so it stayed fresh. I usually lay the table on Christmas Eve and get it all organised. I like to do a white and gold colour theme and then get some nice table displays.