Christmas super fans: Brandee Thomas carries early-morning holiday traditions

Even when I stop coming home and have my own family, I’ll still continue this tradition because it’s something personally comforting.

I’ll never forget watching him navigate his robot across the manor’s vintage hardwood floors, following behind barefoot, still in his pajamas. Please allow me to share with you that memory, no doubt, if you’re of a certain age, one that comes gift-wrapped in nostalgia. We didn’t know about the wealth of toys out there; we did not see TV ads that hawked the latest stuff like kids do now. The decorated tree stood waiting for dusk on Christmas Eve. “I was honest with them from the beginning that Santa is fiction”. It is adorable. Bertie’s planning to be a Wise Man for the third year running.

Dad’s train was on time as usual, and we quickly picked him out among the derby clad commuters.

The first one happened when I was 6 years old. “He’s too old na, eh”.

Amy Leach is director of the Night Before Christmas, West Yorkshire Playhouse, to Jan 2.

But no matter what else we do without, there will never be a Christmas Eve without oyster stew. In fact, writing this, there are tears at the edge of my eyes and a lump in my throat the size of a mince pie. I can look back and say we have established traditions, traditions I can see us keeping up. My son and I have lots of plans for Christmas.

Lisa Riley who plays The Spirit of the Beans in Jack and the Beanstalk.. We’re going to reveal to him this Christmas that Santa is just us. I was pleased to hear my niece say that she was taking her sons to town to donate some of the money they had saved to the Salvation Army.

Ian McMillan is a poet and Yorkshire Post columnist.

I cherish, past and present, the memories of family and friends at Christmas and each year the memories grow. Given the stories I’m pushing about virgin birth and angelic visits, I think it’s best not to be confusing. Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope each of you has a wonderful holiday season. For those who don’t have those skills, there are craft stores such as Hobby Lobby or Michael’s where a person can buy kits to make a special Christmas ornament, Christmas wreath, a lovely piece of jewelry, or perhaps a personalized tee-shirt with fun and memorable saying or a cute applique design. “We send “fortunes” back and forth with our West coast family”.

Lisa Riley is in Jack and the Beanstalk at Bradford Alhambra, to Jan 24. Bull and I always finished the tree with tinsel.

Wendy Harris, artistic director of Tutti Frutti..

The fly past in the United Kingdom will be between 5.19pm and 5.22pm on Christmas Eve.

Freedom Riders and their friends are wrapping up Christmas surprises box by box.

Boxing Day is always a walk at the coast – maybe Filey this year – to blow away the cobwebs. We let the kids cast themselves in whatever roles they want, so some years, they’re all livestock.

Carolyn co-manages the stock flow of festive specialities at Bettys where she is affectionately known as “Mrs Christmas”. The one nontraditional Thanksgiving our family had always will be one I remember, and I will be forever grateful our email exchanges resulted in quality time with my mom.

When the morning sun peered over the lake, the children awoke to find presents under the tree. Then once home the Michael Bublé Christmas album goes on and a glass of Baileys and ice is poured.

A fake, scraggly and lop-sided tree was hidden in a dark corner of the house for the children to decorate with our badly home-made angels and snowmen. He made a decision to write a letter to Santa and petition for clemency.

We discover stockings full of goodies alongside lots of presents under the huge tree.

Tyler: After Christmas Eve service, family always stopped for egg nog. Tucked into little silk fortune cookies, we include jokes, quotes or sometimes announcements – ‘A new arrival will make you a great aunt in the new year!’ We alternate years, and fortunes are read out at Christmas dinner.

Wendy Harris is artistic director of tutti frutti and director of Snow Child which is now touring and will be at York Theatre Royal in February.