‘My best-ever gift? The engagement ring in my stocking’

SARA DAVIES Craft entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den panellist Sara Davies makes all her own presents and impresses guests with home-made mince pies.

Christmas at home or away? I’m a home bird. When I was growing up, my parents had a shop, so the only time we could go on holiday was over Christmas. I resented the fact that it was the only time we’d go overseas, so now it means a lot to me to have everyone at home together.

Who’s invited? It will be my husband, our kids, my in-laws, my parents, my sister and her husband, and even her husband’s parents. There’s about 20 of us!

What are your morning rituals? It’s all about the kids, who are four and seven. It actually starts the night before, when I do the trick of sieving flour on to the floor and using a flip-flop to make Santa’s footprints.

What’s your favourite tradition? Making presents with my sister. We’ve made everything from cushions to truffles.

Who’s cooking? It’s all me. My husband hasn’t a clue, but in return, I don’t clear a single thing up. After lunch, I leave him with the Marigolds and put my feet up!

What’s your signature dish? Brussels sprouts, which my husband loves so much that we have them all year round. I learned to do them the American way, which is essentially about cooking them with as much butter as there is sprout, and serving them with pancetta.

Best tip for entertaining? Don’t buy mince pies – make a batch and keep them in the freezer. When someone comes round, you can chuck a couple in the oven and serve them warm. They’ll think you’re a right Suzy Homemaker. What’s top of your Christmas playlist?

Our kids have learned all the words to The Twelve Days Of Christmas, which we always seem to sing in the car between our house and their nana’s house!

Best-ever gift? My husband proposed to me with a ring at the bottom of a stocking on Christmas morning. He’d never done a stocking before and hasn’t since!

Your Strictly wish? To still love dancing in December…