Last Christmas wasn’t exactly the big festive blowout we were counting on thanks to a fresh lot of restrictions just in time for Yuletide. Merry Covid Christmas everyone.
Whilst the rest of us made do with office gatherings on Zoom and low-key Christmas Day plans bubbled up with a couple of households – as per, ya know, the rules – Downing Street (cough, allegedly, cough) partied like coronavirus didn’t exist but the less said about that shambolic bunch, the better. Hey, it was their party, they can lie if they want to.
This year, we’re determined to have our Christmas cake and eat it, feasting, gifting, hugging (hopefully), and making up for lost time with all the cheese and wine. We hope the wrong dishonourable folk at Number 10 enjoy their bundle of coal this year. We stand with Santa.
In the final part of our Christmas At Home With series, it’s over to Team Zoella to share how we’ll be making the most of the holiday season after a year of cancelled plans and tiers aplenty. From what we get up to on Christmas Eve to the cocktails we’ll be sinking and the tv specials we can’t wait to slob out in front of, here’s how the Zoella team will be celebrating Crimbo 2021!
Lareese says
Favourite Family Tradition…
We nearly always get Christmas pyjamas from my mum which is something I look forward to every year. More recently, I’ve adopted my boyfriend’s family tradition of a twist on the dirty Santa game, so famous by now it’s simply called ‘The Game’ amongst both our families. We buy scratch cards and boujie perfume (we’re talking top-tier gifts alongside a few random stocking fillers. My most random gift being a grout pen. YAY) and it all gets very competitive. It’s a highlight of the day!
Delicious thing to eat…
Some sort of melty cheese number like a brie en croute or brie and cranberry parcels from M&S – they’re banging.
Christmas tipple of choice…
Usually I love to sink a few glasses of Ridgeview Bloomsbury, my favourite wine from a local vineyard, but as I’m booze-free this year, I’ll be sticking to some kind of elderflower spritz or Nozeco so I can still raise a glass and enjoy a good toast to Crimbo.
Something you’re hoping to receive…
I’ll be over the moon to receive a few books!
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
My mum’s probably well shot of any clay creations from our childhood haha. I tend to buy a few new ones each year so they’re all a fairly modern mix of H&M, The Range and garden centre bits and bobs.
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…
We’ll be piling around my sisters for the traditional all-you-can-eat feast. I’m SO ready to relive all the wedding memories, she tied the knot on 4th December so fingers crossed she’ll have some of the professional photos back by then for us to look at <3
Favourite part of Christmas…
So. Many. Things. I love the warm familiarity of the season, the gentle pace, the animations, the food, the lead-up, the lights, the smells and of course, the opportunity to spend the whole day with family. Those moments don’t come around very often and the older I get, the more gratitude I have for this time of year, simply for the excuse to hang out with my favourite weirdos.
The time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
We tend to graze all day, have a little prawn cocktail starter around 2pm with a little gap for games, films and Queenie’s speech, then the main event usually kicks off around 3ish. Last year we were plating it up at 6pm because someone (read: my sister) went ham on the beers. An iconic hostess if you ask me.
Christmas Eve plans…
It’s always a pretty chilled affair at home, swaddled in something elasticated. We’ll usually have some picky bits for dinner like a festive grazing board or cheese and crackers in front of a roaring fire. I’ll almost definitely be roped into helping my boyfriend wrap his gifts at circa 9pm because he’s the ultimate last-minute Larry.
Christmas day attire…
Bury me in my Daily Sleeper PJs basically. They obliterated my savings so you bet I’ll be getting the wear out of them.
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
A Boy Called Christmas and Never Mind The Buzzcocks – purely for Daisy May Cooper.
Favourite Christmas Song…
Fairytale of New York, it forever reminds me of singing and dancing with my parents and my sister at home when we were little.
Danielle says
Favourite Family Tradition..
Watching Miracle on 34th Street before we go to bed on Christmas Eve, we practically know the whole thing by heart and it honestly never gets old. I think it’s wrapped up in the tradition that we’re always together, no one ever goes on holiday over Christmas it would be unheard of in our family!
Delicious thing to eat…
It’s gotta be picky bits before Christmas lunch, you can’t stop me from housing the pigs in blankets, salmon blinis and a baked brie!
Christmas tipple of choice…
I usually choose a cocktail to make on the day, in the past, we’ve had Pornstar Martinis and Amaretto Sours. This year I think I’m going to start on the classic fizz and home make some fruit purees for Bellinis and then I might make sure we’ve got everything for Espresso Martinis to pick us up in the afternoon!
Something you’re hoping to receive…
Honestly, I much prefer to give gifts I LOVE buying gifts for people, so having my family be really pleased with my choices will be the gift! Although I know I’m getting some white boots from my Mum that I can’t wait to wear.
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
In my house, I only started decorating this year! So nothing specifically new, but at my parents’ house, they have loads we made as children and this picture of me in a silver bell from about 15 years ago.
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…
At my parent’s house in Cornwall, it’s quite the trek from Brighton so I’ll be heading down there on the 19th of December.
Favourite part of Christmas…
I think the build-up to the big day, everyone arriving and the excitement levels rising!
Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
We tend to go quite late, after gifts and breakfast then party food we’re not really hungry until 5ish so it’s more like an early dinner.
Christmas Eve plans…
We usually go to the cinema on Christmas Eve so this year I think the plan is to see the new West Side Story, which we’ll probably end up singing the whole way home.
Christmas day attire…
I made a last-minute order for this snazzy dress from H&M and sent it straight to my parents, so who even knows if it fits!
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
A Boy Called Christmas, Never Mind The Buzzcocks Special AND the Harry Potter Reunion (there’s just too much)
Favourite Christmas Song…
Andy Williams – It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Charlotte
Favourite Family Tradition…
I don’t think my family will be offended in me saying that we have a bit of a dysfunctional set up so traditions are a little sparse around our parts- just dishing out a slice of Christmas realness for you all! Over the past few years though it has become a bit of a tradition for my sister and I to head to my Dad’s house on Christmas Eve and play Monopoly and Cluedo with some drinks, pizza and Christmas tunes in the background. It’s not necessarily a classic Christmas affair but it’s something I always look forward to now.
Delicious thing to eat…
Veggie meat substitutes are a topic of hot debate but I honestly love a Quorn Roast and devouring the remainder of it in a stuffing and salad cream sandwich (don’t judge) on the days after Christmas too.
Christmas tipple of choice…
Prosecco on TAP.
Something you’re hoping to receive…
I’ve struggled to think of what I want this year but I do hope I get Red (Taylor’s Version) on Vinyl. Surely someone in my family has been paying attention to me talking about it nonstop since its re-release?!
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
Almost all of ours at home are ones I remember since childhood, but I also have some salt dough decs a friend made me as part of a Secret Santa gift a few years ago that I’m always surprised are still going.
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…
At my mums in Cambridge with just my sister and nan. Told you it was a small affair!
Favourite part of Christmas…
I love Christmas morning as the day feels filled with optimism and we open presents straight away which is always so lovely. I like waking up knowing I have the whole day ahead of me to enjoy, and sometimes by the evening, I get in my feels after too many wines so I need to try and keep it together this year!
Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
Normally around 2pm I reckon. I live for the Christmas evening buffet of snacky bits and leftovers so there needs to be enough time in between for my stomach to somewhat make some room for more.
Christmas Eve plans…
Head to my Dads as per and then I’d like to go to the pub actually so possibly see if any of my friends are up for it?!
Christmas day attire…
I’ve just bought a gorgeous new black mini dress from Collusion on ASOS that’s pretty timeless and sooo flattering- it’s also a smock style so loads of room for food! I’ll probably add a sparkly headband and for sure make it festive with a red lip too.
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
Strictly babbyyyyy!
Favourite Christmas Song…
Underneath the Tree, Kelly Clarkson is always up there as a fave.
Holly
Favourite Family Tradition…
Playing cards with my whole family including nan because I always win (I cheat) and shouting at my brothers for speaking with their mouths full. It’s not Christmas if there isn’t at least one row.
Delicious thing to eat…
It’s never not going to be pigs in blankets. Even when I say I’m cutting down on meat I can’t resist. Give me the mini pre-made Tesco ones and I can demolish a good 3 trays before the Turkey is served.
Christmas tipple of choice…
It’s going to be bucks fizz all day long, gotta speed it up but no slowing down.
Something you’re hoping to receive…
A fuck load of hugs. After last years shambles, I will be hugging everyone I can get my mitts on. And hopefully a bottle of Christmas gin.
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
I have a china bauble with my footprint on it from my first Christmas at 22 days old, so a 28-year-old decoration!
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…
At my mum and dads with my brothers, nan, uncle, cousins and some more extended family will pop in and and throughout the day.
Favourite part of Christmas…
Giving gifts, I have got people some corkers this year. I love getting presents but definitely more of a giver than a receiver. My family deserve the world and I try my best to make them feel as loved as possible by putting a lot of thought into my presents.
Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
It’s always planned for 1 but we usually end up eating around 4 and half the food is cold. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Christmas Eve plans…
Go to the pub, pints, sing carols and have awkward conversations with people I haven’t seen since last Christmas Eve. You’d think ‘we should meet up’ would get old but apparently, it doesn’t.
Christmas day attire…
We open our pressies in jammies and then get full glam to go for a dog walk and dinner. I’ll be wearing a dress and heels and trying to manoeuvre a muddy golf course is all part of the fun.
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
It’s always Eastenders. I don’t even watch it anymore and I’m still so excited to watch
Favourite Christmas Song…
The Pogues, Fairytale of New York, I go to a pub every Christmas Eve and they play it as it hits midnight.
Maddie
Favourite Family Tradition…
It’s all about the kids, isn’t it? Seeing their faces light up as they leave mince pies, milk and a carrot for Santa and watching their amazement when all that’s left is the crumbs the next day. The whole magic of Christmas is those little moments of joy.
Delicious thing to eat…
I don’t think you can beat pigs in blankets at Christmas.
Christmas tipple of choice…
Got to be the Champagne or bucks fizz
Something you’re hoping to receive…
A full nights sleep and a lie-in would actually be a Christmas miracle
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
My dad has these god awful old cracked red baubles strung up together that he insists on putting on the tree every year. Saying that, I do think I’d be a bit sad if they weren’t there even though they’re ancient.
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year...
We will be celebrating the first few days with my family and the second half with our family in Cornwall.
Favourite part of Christmas…
I love all the silly games that come out and just generally being around family is what it’s all about for me.
Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
Usually around 2ish, so many moving parts it always takes longer than you think!
Christmas Eve plans…
Father Christmas on his sleigh is coming to the village to wave to the children.
Christmas day attire…
As a child, I used to stay in my PJs as long as I possibly could but my grandma always made me change into something smart before breakfast, she was very traditional. Nowadays I’m usually a smart/casual hybrid with comfy leggings and a nice top.
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
100% the Harry Potter reunion, I can watch the films on repeat this time of year so I really can’t wait.
Favourite Christmas Song…
Pogues Fairytale of New York, it’s a classic
Darcey
Favourite Family Tradition…
Every Christmas Eve at my Dads we all gather together after our annual Christmas Eve dinner and read “The Night Before Christmas” as a group, this book has been passed down three generations now so it’s really special.
Delicious thing to eat…
My Grandpa always does a really good spread of evening food which I think I prefer more than the actual Christmas dinner, you can’t beat picky bits!
Christmas tipple of choice…
Probably a glass of Prosecco or Champagne (depending on how extra we are all feeling).
Something you’re hoping to receive…
Must admit I am hoping for an Apple Watch this year and I may have bought an Apple Watch and a matching phone case in the Black Friday sales too with high hopes of receiving it… Ha someone take my bank card of me asap.
Decoration you’ve had the longest…
Hmm, I think probably those ones you make at school out of felt which you put a little Christmas wish in and give to your parents, they still make it on the tree’s (multiples as my Mum and Dad both still put them up on their own trees haha). If anyone wants to know I didn’t wish for anything remotely heartfelt at the age of 6, I asked for a pink Playstation.
Where you’ll be spending Christmas this year…
So I’ll be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my Dad, Step Mum and her family. Then Christmas Day I’ll drive to my Mum’s to spend it with her and that side of the family!
Favourite part of Christmas…
Definitely, the build-up to Christmas, like the week before is always so fun with all the excitement, wrapping gifts and seeing all your family! Without sounding too bah humbug, Christmas Day usually leaves me feeling a bit deflated, the pressure for it to be amazing usually makes me so anxious, so this year I need to try and chill. I’m sure some people relate!
Time you eat your Christmas Lunch…
Fairly early I think at about 12:30pm or 1pm, I know some people eat it much later.
Christmas Eve plans…
Off to my Dads and Step Mums for a big family meal that we do every year and some drinks!
Christmas day attire…
I’ll be wearing something fairly simple, thinking leather trousers and a burgundy jumper for a festive feel. I have however recently bought a diamanté bag which I’ll 100% be bringing, sparkles are as festive as it gets!
Christmas TV special you’re most excited about…
I genuinely never really watch any Christmas Specials, but I will be watching The Big Fat Quiz of the Year!
Favourite Christmas Song…
Last Christmas by Wham. Explains why Last Christmas is my fave Christmas film too!
