5 minutes with SARAH MORGAN
We catch up with Sarah Morgan, author of “The Christmas Sisters”.
How do you spend Christmas?
For me, Christmas is all about family. We lead busy lives, and this is the time we all get together. I love the scents, flavours and routines of Christmas: the comfort of conversation, long walks in crisp, cold weather, snuggling indoors in front of the fire. It’s a special time.
Do you have any special traditions?
We have several, but my favourite is choosing the tree. We go to the forest and I always pick the largest tree possible. It’s usually frosty and cold and we drink hot chocolate to warm up while we argue about which tree is the prettiest shape. Once home, we decorate it together using an eclectic mix of decorations accumulated from various travels over the years. I confess I also use decorations the children made when they were young. You can’t beat a baked star!
Do you enjoy setting a story around Christmas?
I have written a Christmas story every year since I was first published, and it has become one of my own Christmas traditions. I can’t imagine not writing one. The festive season provides endless scope for exploring drama and conflict in family relationships, and a winter setting creates a cosy intimacy that adds something special to the story. I find it creatively satisfying to write a Christmas book and it’s a highlight of my writing schedule.
Do you have a favourite childhood memory of Christmas?
My best memories aren’t about gifts, but about special moments. I remember waking up ridiculously early and trying to persuade my more sensible older sister to wake up, too, stepping outside my bedroom in the dark and feeling a lumpy stocking rub against my leg, breathing in the scent of turkey roasting, being charmed by the flicker of delicate fairy lights. It was always a magical time.
Are you organised or a Christmas Eve shopper?
I am annoyingly organised (at least, my friends find it annoying!) Because I’m often busy writing my Christmas book in November and December, I do my gift buying at a leisurely pace throughout the year. I try to choose gifts that I think people will love, and if I see something perfect in April, then I’ll buy it. Wrapping is left until Christmas Eve. That’s as close as I get to last minute!