Lorraine Kelly shares her festive traditions

In an exclusive feature written for TV Times, Lorraine Kelly reveals the things that make this her most wonderful time of the year

1 Family

‘i’m hoping my daughter rosie might be home from Singapore, where she’s working. We’ve been over there to visit her, but if she can fly home for the holidays, that would be fantastic. if not, there’ll be plenty of Skype calls. rosie will be part of the celebrations whatever happens.’

2 FESTIVE Films

‘a glass of champagne after opening presents and while watching It’s a Wonderful Life and then Frozen with rosie is a time-honoured Christmas routine. We love doing that every year and it never fails to get you in the Christmas mood.’

3 CHOCOLATE

‘i eat a whole chocolate orange by myself as soon as i wake up on Christmas morning. this is my little Christmas tradition! i know it’s decadent but it’s only once a year. Come January, i’ll be back in my keep-fit Zumba class to work it off, but it’s nice to indulge on

Christmas Day.’

4 A POSTDINNER WALK

‘i like a walk with our border terrier angus after dinner to blow away the cobwebs. after all that food and indulging, it’s great to get moving. a lovely crisp Winter’s walk does you wonders, too.’

5 A SWEET TREAT

‘We always have a box of jelly sweeties “to keep us going” until turkey sandwiches at night!’

6 TIME TO TALK

‘We phone friends and family to wish them a merry Christmas. it’s nice to take a pause and catch up with those dearest to you. You can get so busy during the year, so it’s a good nudge to make that call.’

7 CRACKERS

‘Daft crackers with rubbish jokes and gifts are a must. they may be naff but it has to be done!’

8 LET it SNOW

‘Snow would be wonderful, so we can put on a roaring fire. it would be perfect for rosie to be back to enjoy a white Christmas, too. it’s certainly very different to the weather out in Singapore.’

9 NO COOKING!

‘my husband Steve does all the cooking, as i am hopeless. Luckily, he’s great at Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, although i do all the clearing up. that’s an unwritten part of the deal.’

10 A GOOD SINGALONG

‘traditional carols playing in the background are such a part of everyone’s childhood memories of Christmas, aren’t they? i can’t imagine a festive period without them.’

11 Fabulous FOOD

‘a proper Christmas dinner of traditional turkey and all the trimmings, with tons of roast potatoes and honey-glazed parsnips, is an absolute must.’

12 FLOWERS

‘i love a house full of hyacinths and poinsettias. there’s nothing better to make your home feel warm and inviting. i adore fresh flowers in the house.’