My Favourite Christmas... by Clodagh Murphy

Welcome back to my Christmas 2011 feature! As you know, I've asked lots of authors to write something about their favourite Christmas, and I've been lucky to have a great response. Today, I have the pleasure of welcoming the delightful Clodagh Murphy!

I love Christmas – what's not to love about a long, lazy holiday dedicated to eating, drinking and making merry with your friends and family, with no need to pack and nothing more demanding expected of you than lazing around watching TV and eating chocolates?  Plus – presents!

Here are some of my favourite Christmas things.

Favourite Christmas song: Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes.  It's got bells jingling, it's got a horse whinnying, and best of all it's got Ronnie Spector's gorgeous voice.  What more could you wish for?

Favourite Christmas movie:  There are so many that I love, but it's got to be It's A Wonderful Life.  What would Christmas be like if George Bailey had never existed?  Okay, it would still be great – but maybe not quite as great.

Favourite Christmas TV: Miss Marple with Joan Hickson.  Because nothing says 'Christmas' like murder ... strange, but true.  My idea of a perfect Christmas afternoon involves a roaring fire, Miss Marple on the TV, a glass of hot port (see below) and a big slice of Christmas cake.

Midnight Mass – I'm not religious, but sometimes for nostalgia's sake I'm tempted back to midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and nothing else can evoke childhood Christmases quite like the smell of frankincense and candle wax, and the choir singing 'Adeste Fideles'.

Favourite Christmas food:  All of it – mince pies, turkey with all the trimmings, leftover sandwiches (I love them almost more than the dinner itself), smoked salmon, plum pudding (even better the next day, fried in butter) ... I can feel the weight piling on just thinking about it.

Favourite Christmas drink: Hot port – stud a slice of lemon with cloves and put it in a glass, followed by a teaspoon of sugar and a generous measure of port.  I microwave the port a little at this stage so it's not too cold.  Top up with boiling water and stir.  Slurp and enjoy.  Yum!

Happy Christmas!

You can buy Clodagh's latest book Girl In A Spin as both paperback and on eBook now!