The GREATEST GIFT

Finding love, a dream home and giving birth - for some, the festive season is extra special

- KIM WILLIS

I'M SO PROUD TO HAVE A CHRISTMAS DAY BABY

Gilly Bell, 62, and her husband Gregory, 64, from the Cotswolds, are parents to Poppy, 33.

On Christmas Eve 1991, I was in labour at the Jessop Hospital For Women in Sheffield, as the maternity nurses speculated on whether I'd have the first Christmas Day baby of the year. I was excited too, but as the 21-hour labour continued, delivering a healthy child was all that was on my mind.

Gregory was by my side, and we both cried when Poppy arrived. He has always been the proudest daddy in the world, even starting his father-of-the-bride wedding speech with, 'When Poppy entered the world on Christmas Day 1991...'

She was born at 3am and was actually the sixth birth of the day, but we still made the news. I'd bought Christmas tartan pyjamas for us both and I put makeup on for the local newspaper photographer. It felt like a joyous start to Poppy's life and made me realise how special a Christmas Day baby was.

In our family, Christmas and birthdays have always been big events, so I vowed the double day would always be extra special. When she was little, as soon as Poppy had gone to bed on Christmas Eve, I'd start baking her cake and tiptoeing about, putting up birthday banners and balloons. When she came downstairs with her stocking on Christmas Day, we'd be ready with the cake, candles lit, singing Happy Birthday.

Every year, Poppy has a double present-opening ceremony. First, we all open our Christmas gifts, then after breakfast, Poppy opens her birthday presents - and Christmas-themed wrapping paper is strictly forbidden.