‘I love the ritual of bringing the Christmas tree out of storage’

LOLITA CHAKRABARTI This year, actor and playwright Lolita Chakrabarti is making the most of her celebrations with a glass of fizz and charades.

Christmas at home or away?

At home in London.

Who’s invited? Normally, we have a big family Christmas with my husband [actor Adrian Lester], our daughters [Lila, 20, and Jasmine, 17], my dad, Adrian’s mum, sister, brother, aunt, nephew and cousin. But this year, Adrian will be working in New York and my dad hasn’t been well, so it’ll be a smaller affair. What are your morning rituals?

I’ll be up early for my essential cup of coffee, then it’s time to prepare lunch. When the girls were young, we used to have to contain their excitement and do stockings first thing. But now they’re older, it’s a case of waking them up!

Party dress or pyjamas? Pyjamas, then a party dress for lunch. Decorations: minimalist or over

the top? I love the Christmas tree and the ritual of bringing it out of storage (it’s plastic but looks very real), and setting it up in the living room. Many of our decorations were gifts from family and friends, so it makes the tree very personal. Then we put a fair amount of tinsel around the house. What’s your favourite tradition?

At around 11am, we have a glass of fizz and the kids sort out the presents. Then we all sit around and watch one another open them.

Most-loved Christmas game? The name game, where you each write 10 names of famous people or fictional characters on bits of paper and put them into a bowl. Then you have a minute to describe as many as you can to your fellow team members. Charades, too – always a classic. What’s on your wish list this year?

An easier year. Good health for everyone around me… and a holiday abroad!

● Lolita’s adaptation of Life Of Pi (lifeofpionstage.com) is at Wyndham’s Theatre, London, from 15 November. She stars in Showtrial, on BBC One this November