Next to feature on my Christmas Interview Series is my Welsh friend Alana from http://www.baby-holiday.co.uk/
1 - Do you have any family Christmas traditions?
As a child our family tradition was to open our presents at home in the morning, then visit famil and have Christmas dinner at my gran's house. It was always a busy day, but I loved it.
Now that we have our own family with two little boys we haven't started our own traditions yet. I like the idea of making Christmas Eve boxes for them to open while we watch a festive film when they're a bit older.
2 - What’s your ultimate Christmas movie?
There are so many good ones I don't think I can choose a favourite! I love Elf and Love Actually, and we watch them every year, but after watching The Polar Express with our two-year-old this week it's crept into my favourites. I've never been keen on it, but his little face when Father Christmas appeared was adorable.
3 - What 3 songs would be top of your festive playlist?
Fairytale of New York, Merry Christmas Everyone and I wish it could be Christmas everyday.
4 - Are you an online shopper or do you go to the actual stores?
I tend to do a mix of both. For the past few years I've said I'll do it all online but then leave it too late to order. I do love a proper Christmas shopping day out!
5 - Do you make shopping lists or buy things when you see something nice?
I list all the people I need to buy for and fill in any ideas I have, but mostly I like to browse for something I think they would like. My list always sends me into a panic!
6 - Do you send Christmas cards?
No (sorry everyone)! I try to, but yet again I leave it too late and end up with a drawer full of written cards that never get sent.
7 - Do you have an elf on the shelf? What do you do with it?
We have this year for the first time. He hasn't got up to much yet - he brought our tree, rolled down the stairs in a toilet roll and has been horse riding overnight. We're keeping it simple for the first year!
8 - Do you have chocolate advent calendars or something else?
Our toddler is a bit of a chocoholic so we avoided getting him a chocolate calendar as he would eat them all on day one! He has a Playmobil one instead, which he managed to open six days of by December 3, and a wall calendar with pockets that we're filling with little notes, toys and the odd chocolate.
9 - Do you do a Christmas eve box? If so what’s in it?
We don't yet, but this is something I'd like to do as the boys get older. I like the idea of having a Christmas book in there to read each year.
10 - Do you make any gifts?
I have done in the past, but I don't plan to this year as I don't have the time. When I was on maternity leave the first time I made lovely lavender soaps and scented bath salts for family members. They looked really pretty in glass bottles with a bunch of lavender tied around the neck.
11 - Do you do any Christmas crafts?
We've tried, but they usually end up being a big old fail! Painting is generally avoided in oir house!
12 - If you could only eat 3 things from your Christmas dinner, what would they be?
Mash potato, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding ... I'm big on carbs!
13 - What’s your favourite festive tipple?
I really love the smell of mulled wine, but don't actually like drinking it, so would go for a glass of rosé instead. Honestly though, I'd prefer a Christmas coffee!
14 - Where are you spending Christmas this year?
Don't ask! We haven't actually decided yet, but we might be cooking for family in our house ... Despite being half way through a kitchen renovation!
15 - If you could go to any Christmas market in the world where would you go?
Oohh this is a tough one. I love European markets, but I think maybe I'd go somewhere more exotic like Marrakech. They might not be Christmassy markets but they're amazing for gifts and I could get some sun at the same time!
You can keep up to date with Alana on the following social media:
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