Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with .....Blogger Stephanie Carr

I'm Steph., 22, from England. Recent English Literature graduate and lover of books, makeup, swimming, live music & comedy, and tea. Currently work in admin and recently undertook a couple of weeks work experience at Penguin books, now pursuing a career in publishing.  Try to blog as often as I can!  

Blog:  ivoryandgold

"When do you normally get in the festive spirit?"

Now! It's normally around the end of November that I start feeling festive and thinking about how I could decorate my room, and what presents I need to buy. It's also the time I start playing Christmas songs all the time!

"What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?"

We don't really have any traditions; we all just spend time together and eat and watch TV and give presents. Nothing specific.

"Favourite past Christmas?"

I can't think of a specific year, but any year when both sets of my grandparents were here and all of us spent the day together.

"Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everyone's faces on Christmas day?"

YES! Choosing/buying/wrapping/giving presents is one of my favourite things about Christmas.  

"Favourite Christmas book?"

I don't really have any favourite books that are about Christmas, but books I always tend to re-read around the festive season are Harry Potter (the descriptions of the Christmas feast & decorations etc are just beautiful, and Harry Potter is such a nostalgic thing to read). This year I'll probably also re-read The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and Jack Kerouac's On The Road because they're old favourites that I haven't read in a long time.

"What is it like on Christmas day for you and your family?"

We just have a really chilled out, lazy day.  Listen to Christmas music, watch Christmas films, eat, etc. Sometimes we all go to the pub at some point which is nice too. This year I think we're spending Christmas afternoon with friends.

"When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?"

If it were up to me I'd have it up on 1st December, but usually it's a couple of weeks before Christmas when we finally get it out and decorate it.

"Favourite Christmas movie?"

ELF! As well as Home Alone, and Uncle Buck. (Is Uncle Buck even a Christmas film? I'm not sure, but it's always on TV at Christmas).

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A....with Blogger Kim Nash

I have run my successful book blog ‘Kim the Bookworm’ for over four years, and have read and reviewed thousands of books for publishers and authors and also have been fortunate to interview authors and meet some of my favourite authors too. 

After working in sales and marketing for a number of years, which I thoroughly enjoyed I have finally realised that working with books and helping authors is what I love to do best and using my great admin and fabulous organisational skills, I am now living my dream!

I now work with publishers and authors helping them to promote their books, raise their profiles, organise blog tours and reviews, assist with social media activity, send out newsletters and arrange events.   I work predominantly with an amazing digital and print on demand publisher Bookouture and am delighted to be working with a talented team of authors and publishing experts in a company that I know will be extremely successful.

I also review family friendly products, venues and attractions and travel at my blog Nash Reviews .  I’ve been writing for a family friendly travel site for the last four years as well as an online lifestyle magazine and am keen to develop my love for family life.  

Being a mom to 7 year old Ollie is the other job in my life and is absolutely the best job I’ve ever had! 

Combining these amazing jobs really is a dream come true for me

www.kimthebookworm.co.uk 

www.twitter.com/kimthebookworm 

www.facebook.com/KimTheBookWorm

http://nashreviews.wordpress.com/

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

I don't normally even think about Christmas before 1st December but this year working for Bookouture and reading all the Christmas books earlier this year has made me think about it much earlier and look forward to it so much more than normal. 

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

When we were kids, we were always allowed to open my GodMother's present on Christmas Eve, I always allow Ollie to open one of his on Christmas Eve too!

Q) Favourite past Christmas?

Now that my Mom and Dad aren't here anymore, I'd probably choose one of our family Christmases when they were and we were all together.  We lost Mom just over 8 years ago and Dad 1 and a half years ago and we always make sure we have a toast to "absent friends and family" and my sister and I share a moment as we raise our glasses!     You don't realise that one day they'll be over and I wish I'd cherished those lovely Christmases more when I had the opportunity!

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybodys face's on Christmas Day?

Yeah, I'm one of those annoying people who want everyone else to open their presents first.  I could sit and watch everyone else for hours before I'm made to open mine!

Q) Favourite Christmas Book?

Far too many to mention but I do love a Carole Matthews festive treat!

Q) What is it like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

This year, Ollie and I will wake up and open our presents, then he will go to his Dad's for a couple of hours, while I start to prepare the food as I'm cooking this year for my sister and her family and my aunty.  Then when he comes back, all the family will be here and we may have a little Christmas tipple or two before dinner.  Love my family around me!

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

Normally around two weeks before Christmas.  Not too early!

Q) Favourite Christmas Movie?

Miracle on 34th Street (Latest version).  I remember going to see this at the cinema with my mom when I was about 25 and we both came out knowing that Santa Claus is real after all! A wonderful film that gives me a very special time of spending time with my darling Mom!

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with ....Author Paige Toon

Paige Toon was born in 1975 and grew up between England, Australia and America. A philosophy graduate, she worked at teen, film and women’s magazines, before ending up at Heat magazine as Reviews Editor. Paige is married, has two small children and lives in Cambridge.

The Longest Holiday is her seventh book.
Thirteen Weddings & The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson are out now!!
Twitter - Facebook 

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

As soon as it's 1 December, the Christmas songs come out and the decorations go up! I resist doing it any earlier – prior to this we've had Halloween and bonfire night to contend with...

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

If we're in Australia with my parents and extended family, we always go for a walk in the park. It's usually very hot! The last time we were in England, we took the kids to a local nativity play – I'm sure it will be family tradition from now on.

Q) Favourite past Christmas?

I think it might have been a couple of years ago, which was the last one we spent in England. Six of my Aussie rellies – parents, brother and sister-in-law, uncle and partner all came over from Australia. We went to a nativity play where the youngest child in the village played Jesus, there were Christmas carols and even a donkey! On Boxing Day we went to Granchester to watch the barrel rolling - bizarre but so much fun!

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybodys face's on Christmas Day?

Buying and wrapping presents can be pretty stressful – especially as I'm usually on deadline around this time of year. But for once, I've been pretty organised and I've already got a bunch. Still have to wrap them, but it'll be fine... I absolutely love seeing people's faces though – it makes it all worthwhile.

Q) Favourite Christmas Book?

We've got loads on the shelf. My kids' favourite is currently How Santa Really Works - it's a pop-up book and shows you behind the scenes stuff like the elves making the pressies. Very cute.

Q) What is it like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

Very traditional, whether we're in Australia with my parents or here in the UK with my husband's family. We always wake up, open presents, help in the kitchen and then sit down to a traditional turkey roast. Afterwards it's Christmas telly and general lazing around and boozing!

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

Usually in the first week of December, although sometimes we get a tree in the last weekend of November, and then we have to pretend that it's not dead when Christmas rolls around...

Q) Favourite Christmas Movie?

Bad Santa cracked me up, and I liked Elf, too. It's not one I'd watch with my kids, though! They really enjoyed Arthur Christmas - I'd watch that again.



!!Festive Giveaway Time!!
Lovely Paige Toon is offering a signed copy of The Accidental Life of Jessie Jefferson

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with....Blogger Paris Baker

Paris Baker is a 24-year-old bookworm from Jersey, in the Channel Islands. She writes reviews on her book blog, Paris Baker’s Book Nook, and is currently working on her first novel. She also loves penguins, pugs and rose wine.
http://parisbakerwriting.wordpress.com/

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

A) I’m one of those horribly annoying (or awesome) people who just love it and can’t get there fast enough! My birthday is exactly 5 weeks before Christmas, so once that’s gone I normally go full-blown festive.

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

A) We usually do a little Secret Santa which we open on Christmas Eve, which is always good fun. A few years a go, my Step-mum’s sister was proposed to as part of her Secret Santa gift, which was pretty amazing.

Q) Favourite past Christmas?

A) It’s hard to pick one, but I always love Christmasses spent with my Stepmum’s family in Southampton. There’s loads of us, we all make camp in her Mum’s house, and the atmosphere is always just amazing, the house just buzzes with festive spirit! The lounge floor literally becomes a sea of presents on Christmas day, and we play silly games and dress up in funny hats, onesies or jumpers.

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybody's face's on Christmas Day?

A) It’s my favourite part! I really like to try and get thoughtful and personal gifts, so I love seeing people’s reaction. It’s a wonderful feeling if you can make someone happy.

Q) Favourite Christmas Book?

A) This year has seen a new favourite with Jenny Hale’s A Christmas to Remember - it’s just beautiful. I also love When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson.

Q) What is it like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

A) Busy! My Mr and I have 4 sets of families to get round between us, so it varies each year. We’re usually with one set in the morning, and another in the evening, then more on boxing day! So it really differs, but it’s always fun and filled with love, and who doesn’t want four Christmasses?

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

A) December 1st at the latest, but any time after my birthday (Nov 20th) depending when I can convince my Mr to do it!

Q) Favourite Christmas Movie?

A) Miracle on 34th Street. Richard Attenborough is the perfect Santa, and always will be. It’s a beautiful film.

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with . . . .Blogger Chloe Chicklit

Hi I'm Chloe, I'm 28 and have been a blogger for about 6 years now. I'm mum to 8 1/2 year Harry, I work as a TA in a local primary school, and have turned Harry into as much of a bookworm as his mum!

Blog link: www.chicklitchloe.blogspot.com

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

In November usually, just after Halloween I like to start thinking about Christmas presents, cards and putting some xmas songs in the car! Once the shops are full of festive things, I can't help myself!

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

One thing I always did as a child with my family was to watch The Snowman or Father Christmas on Christmas Eve in the evening before bed. Now I have Harry, we do the same thing and it's a lovely tradition to carry on. Always makes me super excited!

Q) Favourite past Christmas?

I honestly couldn't choose. I had so many amazing Christmases growing up, I was really lucky and enjoyed every single one of them with my parents and my brother. I do love being a mum at Christmas now, and so seeing Harry enjoy all of his presents is a joy, so really I don't think I could pick just one, they're all amazing for me. I'm very lucky.

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybodys face's on Christmas Day?

My favourite bit is the wrapping up! I love sticking on some festive music, getting everything out of the cupboard, and getting started with the paper, ribbons and bows! I love making the presents look pretty and putting them under the tree. I then love watching my loved ones open them on Christmas day, nothing better than seeing faces lit up from something you've given them, especially Harry's!

Q) Favourite Christmas Book?

That's a tough one! To be honest, I don't have a favourite because I don't tend to go back to them again as I have so many new ones to read! I just enjoy lots of new festive reads each year. I particularly look forward to festive books from Jenny Colgan, Scarlett Bailey, Carole Matthews and Jenny Hale - those authors really know how to write a Christmas book!

Q) What is it like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

Whether I'm at home with Harry or with my parents (we alternate each year where we are), it's pretty much the same. Up early opening presents, Harry first, then everyone else. Then we spend the morning playing while the dinner is being cooked (either by me or my mum), and we all eat together at lunch time. Then a walk in the afternoon, more playing with the new presents, then a Christmas film in the evening, or whichever new DVD Harry has had that year (usually Top Gear, oh joy!).

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

1st of December, or as close to it as I can. This year, it's 29th November as we are going on the Harry Potter Studio Tour on the 30th November, and it's going to be all Christmassy there, so I want to come to a feeling of Christmas as well!

Q) Favourite Christmas Movie?

Home Alone. You just can't beat it for festive feeling, and I also love Home Alone 2 as I love seeing all the places in New York I saw when I went at Christmas in 2005.

Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with . . .Author Julia Williams

Julia Williams has always made up stories, and until relatively recently thought everyone else did too. 

Julia grew up in North London, one of eight children, including a twin sister who also writes. She attended St Michael's Grammar School, before going to Liverpool University to study English. While at university she met her husband, David, a dentist. They have four children and live in Surrey.

After leaving Liverpool, Julia went into a career in publishing, firstly in academic books (which she loathed) and then into children's books (which she still loves). Following the birth of her second baby, Julia left to start a freelance career, and decided that now was a good time to start writing.

Julia is proud to be a member of The Romantic Novelist's Association.

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

I love attending Christmas Carol services. Nothing like a good sing along to get in the festive mood. Though I am rather glad my children are beyond the point of Nativities, as I have sat through some dire ones in my time (one of which formed the inspiration for the first Nativity Marianne has to help out with in Last Christmas.)

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

My children still demand stockings, so that's a big one. Decorating the tree is another. We don't I think have any specific family traditions, but we always have a turkey. On the rare occasions when I have got out of cooking on Christmas Day the children have all demanded a Christmas Eve turkey instead... We tend to eat at lunchtime and then watch Dr Who and whatever else is on on Christmas Night.

Q) How do you feel when your writing your Christmas books in Summer?

That is always a challenge I have to admit. I used to keep the kids' Christmas lists and letters to Santa to help inspire me. Plus I tend to keep hold of festive mags and write down silly things that have happened the previous Christmas to try and get me in the mood. The hardest thing is picturing snow on a sunny day in June!

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybodys face's on Christmas Day?

I am a rubbish wrapper, and I have a big family, so no, I hate wrapping gifts. But I do enjoy the buying and I love it when a present works.

Q) What it is like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

It's a lot easier now then it was, as the children get up at a reasonable hour. (We had one hideous year, when I went to bed at 2am and they all got up at 4am!). So I get up now and put the turkey on and go back to bed. The children unwrap their stockings, and then we allow them presents from the tree till lunchtime. Lunch is traditonally about two hours later then I think it's going to be -  as we had a rubbish cooker. That should be better this year, as we bought a new one in January. The old one also made it's way into Coming Home for Christmas. Cat's life parallels mine in quite uncanny ways.

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

Earlier then I'd like, later then the rest of the family would like. But usually a couple of weeks before Christmas. I don't like having it up too late as I prefer the anticipation being closer to the event. We usually all join in and we have lights in our conservatory, and when it's up I feel properly festive.

!!Festive Giveaway Time!!
The lovely Julia is offering one lucky winner a signed copy of Coming Home for Christmas
Enter Here:

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Festive Guest Post: Xmas Q&A with . . .Blogger Dawn Brierley

Hi, I'm Dawn and I am a full on self confessed chick lit lover!

I spend more time with my nose in a book than out of one. To me, books are way better than shoes (its a close one!) and I love nothing more than having piles and shelves full of books! 

When I'm not reading the latest chick lit, I'm working hard studying to be an accountant, blogging, crocheting, knitting and my latest LOVE is working out! I run a small private fitness and health group where we keep each other accountable for being healthy and happy. 

I have the pleasure of annoying my man with my book-a-holic addiction, sharing my book passion with my Mum (and anyone who will listen!) and can be seen most nights snuggled up with my beautiful fur baby; Magick! 
blog link is: www.APageofFictionalLove.blogspot.co.uk

Q) When do you normally get in the Festive spirit?

I'm usually in the festive spirit around 2 weeks before Christmas, but this year I've been gearing up since August.. I have no idea why! I'm hoping I won't fizzle out before the big day. 

Q) What is a family tradition you like to have or do at Christmas?

 When we eat our Christmas Dinner, we always set a place at the table for our loved ones who are no longer with us, we even put out dad's glass and give him a tot of whisky. 

Q) Favourite past Christmas?

A favourite Christmas of mine, was when my cat got so excited for Christmas he tried to rip the presents open before the big day, and then on the big day he got so excited as he unwrapped his big Penguin and proceeded to love and cuddle it before moving on to his little Ratty toy. He still has them and plays with them all the time. When the tree goes up he gets so excited because Santa's coming! 

Q) Do you love buying/wrapping gifts and seeing everybodys face's on Christmas Day?

I love buying, I detest wrapping LOL, but I adore seeing the faces on the big day. I think I actually get more excited about seeing everyone open the presents I've bought for them than I do for opening my own! 

Q) Favourite Christmas Book?

Ah this is an easy one. I adore Carole Matthews' Calling Mrs Christmas! I read it last year and I have thought about that book all year long! There is just something so magical about it, don't you think? 

Q) What is it like on Christmas Day for you & your family?

We always get up, open the presents in our PJs, and then take turns to enjoy a relaxing bath (Mum's usually first!) and get ready for the day ahead. We get glammed up and Mum starts cooking. We sit down, enjoy the meal together, before succumbing to the Christmas movies on tv and falling asleep. This year will be slightly different though as my new partner will be involved and we have his nephews and brothers to join in with. It will be a big Christmas this year, I'm looking forward to it. 

Q) When do you normally put your Christmas tree up?

Oh, about 2 weeks before Christmas sometimes, but we can and have left it until the eve of Christmas eve! It's an OCD cleaning thing we have lol. 

Q) Favourite Christmas Movie?

Oh I watch so many good ones, its hard to choose! But if I had to, it would probably be Mrs Miracle.... although I'm really looking forward to seeing the new one this year, Mr Miracle! :) 

Merry Christmas! xxx