It's Our Kind Of Christmas

Four famous faces share their seasonal childhood memories and the festive family traditions that bring a little magic to their lives.

- Hayley Minn

DAME HELEN MIRREN is married to American director Taylor Hackford, and splits her time between London, the US and Italy. Her latest role is as Mother Ginger in Disney’s The Nutcracker adaptation.

I love Christmas, and always decorate my house for it. I still have some tree decorations that we had on the tree when I was a child. They’re unrecognisable grey things, but I love them.

I remember making paper chains for Christmas, as a child and painting walnuts silver. We would have Christmas stockings early in the morning, waking up before sunrise. They always contained, among others things, a little torch and a satsuma in the toe. My brother, sister and I would scare ourselves by putting our torches on and putting our hands over them. That satsuma was the most delicious thing. We only ever had them at Christmas.

Our family tradition then was to wait until after the Christmas dinner to open our presents. It created great anticipation, and we’ve continued the tradition.

This Christmas, we’re expecting our whole family to join us. It will be a day of chaos and great enjoyment. The cooking will be shared, with many cooks giving their opinions.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms is out on 2 November.

“On Christmas Day I don’t stop eating until I go to bed”

JOE WICKS, AKA The Body Coach, lives in London with his girlfriend Rosie Jones and their daughter, Indie, whom they welcomed in July.