A (Christmas) Day in the life...

Mum of 11, Michelle Bannon, 36, reveals what it’s like with such a big brood

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As we squeeze around the table for Christmas dinner, paper hats on heads and steam rising from dozens of roast potatoes, I’m always amazed we managed to pull it off. You see, with 11 kids, it’s a bit of a challenge! 

I love Christmas and December is my favourite month of the year – it’s also a very busy one with three of my children celebrating their birthdays, plus mine and my husband Craig’s wedding anniversary.

With so much going on, and so many kids - Chloe, 18, Charley, 15, Emily, 13, Lacey, 11, Libby, 10, Ollie, eight, Lottie, seven, Connie, five, Joey, three, Jessie, two, and Jorgie, one - there’s just no way I can leave anything until the last minute, so I start my Christmas shopping in the Boxing Day and January sales and carry on throughout the year, putting gifts away in a locked cupboard. It helps spread the cost and with so many to buy for, it’s easier doing it a little at a time.

Each child gets five gifts – something they want, they need, to wear, to read and to eat – so that’s 55 presents to buy. Craig, 38, is an engineer and I work for a NHS maternity working group, and we save during the year then dip into the account for Christmas.