1) Tell me a little bit about you
Hi, my names Dawn, I live in Leicestershire with my husband, daughter and cat Maurice. I’m a member of our local amateur drama group – although you’ll never find me on stage. I prefer to get involved backstage or I’m often found in the role of producer – my biggest boast is I’ve produced two shows at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But, my biggest passion is reading – preferably in the middle of nowhere in my caravan with red wine!
2)What do you love about Christmas?
What’s not to love about christmas? I love it all, from deciding what gifts to buy, choosing the paper and cards, wrapping them all with ribbons and bows. I love decorating the house, in particular the tree, shopping for delicious treats, spending quality time with family and friends. I love a trip to London to see all the christmas lights and enjoy visiting our local care homes and hospital, carol singing with our amdram group.
3) What do you hate about Christmas?
I hate the crowds, the shops get so busy and hot and I lose the will… which is why I visit the shops in early November and finish off on line. That way I can visit the shops at christmas for treets without the added pressure of ‘the list’ to fulfill.
4) What is your favourite Christmas book?
My ultimate favourite has to be a Christmas Carol, I’m sure that’s at the top of most peoples list – a book we’ve all grown up with. But, this year I’ve read so many good ones, far too numeral to mention but two in particular are Fairy Tale In New York by Nicky Wells and Christmas at The Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin. Two different but perfect reads by authors who are amazingly warm and generous with their ‘reader friendships’ always taking the trouble to engage with their readers. Two of my favourite ‘virtual friends’ who I’ll be meeting in 2015
5) What is your favourite Christmas song?
Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea – it so emotive and just oozes ‘family’ is the most important thing.
6) What was your best Christmas?
That’s a difficult one! But, the one that springs to mind is one year we was leaving my parents house, tat ea-time one christmas eve. My daughter (who is 25 now) was about four/five and noticed santa on his sleigh with his reindeer in the sky – it truly was the most perfect cloud formation and she was beside herself with excitement – knocking on my parents, neighbours door to tell Beryl all about it.
7) What was your best Christmas present?
I really am spoilt, christmas has always been a big deal in our family, so I’ve had so many perfect gifts it’s hard to narrow them down. I think visiting New York with my husband and daughter (technically for my birthday not christmas) was my best present – standing at the top of the Empire State Building in the cold with the snow falling was breathtaking – a memory that’ll last a lifetime.
8) What was your worst Christmas present?
Sshhh – I couldn’t possibly say but there have been a few that have been memorable. I have an Uncle who usually manages to buy something very random – not always the worst present but usually the one that gets talked about the most.
9) Describe your ideal Christmas
My ideal christmas would be spent with my family and friends, with lots of good food and wine, in a log cabin in the woods with a roaring log fire and thick snow outside – I know I’ve read too many books ;D
10) What do you want for Christmas this year?
I really don’t know! It’s also my birthday in December so I’m always stumped as to what I’d like but I can usually come up with an idea or two but this year apart from the usual books, smells and pj’s I haven’t a clue what santa will leave.
11) Where can we find you?
Twitter|Blog|Google+| Goodreads
Oooh Dawn, can I come to your perfect Christmas? Complete with song choice? Sounds brilliant! Thank you for sharing your best Christmas memory, that sounds really special! And here’s hoping Uncle will come up with something a little less random this year. Merry Christmas from one Christmas lover to another! XX