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the big day
How many guests we have on the day varies – sometimes there is just my husband and me, and the four children; sometimes we invite family and friends to join us. One year there were 18 of us!
We always open our stockings together and have a big breakfast to keep us going, then we have a dinner in the late afternoon – often one of our own turkeys. Our daughter Kitty loves to make devils on horseback and we have a vegetarian in the family so we have a nut roast. Church is also a large part of our celebrations. Our son Mikey was a chorister and I love to hear him sing.
We love Christmas music and often enjoy carols round the piano. For larger, informal gatherings I get our tiny mugs made up with our guests’ names on them so they have something to keep. Other traditions are long river walks with our dogs and lots of bonfires – and they’re a great way to get rid of all the unwanted gift wrap.
Christmas time is a fantastic break from work. I really appreciate a few days at home, although I can’t stop myself churning ideas and getting inspiration for new patterns.
my style
I try to keep Christmas simple. I would say my signature style is mix and match. I have decorations from the Sixties that I mix with more recent buys. This year I have a few Mexican-inspired decorations and I always use a few of my china decorations on the tree. For the table, the key is candles and more candles. I clean my brass candlesticks specially and use my Christmas-pattern china – I love the holly wreath design and I use it each year.