December 2016

HOME & PROPERTY

I still get really excited about Christmas. I love the lead-up, spending time with friends and family, the food, and everything about Christmas Day. I have such happy memories

Family Festivities Arthur spent his first Christmas in the UK, so this year the Hays are staying put in Singapore. “We’ve got my mother, my sister, her husband and their two children coming out here for two weeks; I’m so excited!” Last year, they spent the holidays with Tim’s family in a rented house in Wales, so this year will be a decidedly different experience: Christmas in the tropics. Their plans include a cosy family dinner on Christmas Eve, then church on Christmas morning. “We open our stockings first thing in the morning and then wait until after lunch for the tree presents.” Elizabeth is planning on cooking a traditional Christmas lunch; “I’ll be making everything from scratch, and my mother is bringing out a Devon ham.” As Christmas is Elizabeth’s favourite time of the year, she hopes that Arthur has the same experience. “I still get really excited about it – I love the lead-up to Christmas Day, and getting into the festive mood. I will definitely be doing a wreath-making class with the wonderful florist Charlotte Puxley and going to lots of carol services! I just love spending time with friends and family, the food, and everything about Christmas Day. I have such happy memories.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Vai Segolsson of Glass Floe makes glass accessories, including the angel in the centre. “Handmade decorations can add so much charm, but it’s hard to find them here. Vai’s are beautiful, especially her glass snowflakes and angels!” Both the wreath and the stair-runner were created by Charlotte Puxley. The stockings were handmade from material supplied by Elizabeth’s interiors company.

55 DECEMBER2016