EMMA BARNETT ‘I’ll be counting my blessings’

Broadcaster and journalist Emma on being grateful for the little things

Ever since I was little, I’ve had two ‘Christmases’. Being Jewish, I grew up celebrating Hanukkah, which began by going to the synagogue and making my own menorah out of clay. We’d then mark the Festival of Lights by lighting a different candle each night – and eating lots of food! Normally, a ‘Jewish Christmas’ ends after that, but my mum loved that time of year, so she always made a fuss on Christmas Day, too. We didn’t have a tree, but I’d always wake up to find a stocking full of presents at the end of my bed.

My most poignant Christmas was the year I was pregnant with my son, who’s now two. My husband and I tried for a very long time to get pregnant and did IVF, so it felt like a real celebration. I was due eight weeks later and we had all our family round at our place. We played the hugest game of charades, which has become our Christmas ritual. Much to my annoyance, my husband and my mother-in-law are currently the reigning champions!

I enjoy playing host, but there’s always a moment when I think, ‘Oh my gosh, what have I done?’ The secret is to keep drinking and carry on! I also now know not to deviate from turkey. One year, I tried a Tom Kerridge recipe for beef in treacle, which sounded delicious, but the treacle crystallised and formed a black, coal-like surface, which was impenetrable!

It’s been a strange, scary year, so if all my family are safe and well at the end of it, I’ll be happy. We might have to do Christmas over Zoom or Facetime, but I’ll be counting my blessings either way. That I’m able to celebrate with them in some way, that I still have a job, and that I have my husband and son… If I’d had to do this whole thing alone, I don’t know how I’d have coped.

I’m kicking off next year with a new job presenting BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, which I’m so excited about. But this year has also taught me that slowing down and making more time for other stuff is no bad thing. I’ve started the NHS Couch to 5k programme and I want to keep it up.

MY CHRISTMAS WISH… I’d love for there to be a Covid vaccine. I want people to get their jobs back and see their families.

• The Emma Barnett Show airs weekdays at 10am on BBC Radio 5 Live. Emma will begin her role as presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour in January