Jo Barton's Itty Bitty Christmas ....

Welcome to my Itty Bitty Christmas 

In the run up to Christmas, I have lovely author interviews and giveaways to help get you into the festive spirit.

Do come and visit us and have some festive fun.

What’s your earliest Christmas Memory?

I remember Christmas 1963, when I received my longed for Sindy Doll. She was the one wearing blue jeans and a stripey top. My dad made a doll’s wardrobe and my mum had put a couple of Sindy outfits in it. I think one of the outfits came with a little dog !

I also remember the same Christmas; my brothers got a Beatles LP –With the Beatles and the songs  All my Lovin' and Please Mister Postman remind me of that Christmas.

Do you have any special Christmas Traditions?

I always have a nativity crib with figures that have been in the family for well over 60 years.

Baby Jesus never goes into the crib until he is born on Christmas Day

I have the three kings traversing around the house for the whole of December until Epiphany when they reach the nativity. You never know where the kings will show up.....

What’s your favourite festive carol or song?

Silent Night - preferably sung in the original German. I remember listening to someone sing Stille Nacht, heilige nacht one Christmas morning in the Hospice where I was on duty and it was magical.

Adeste Fidelis sung in Latin– which reminds me of midnight mass spent with my parents.

And John Lennon’s Happy Xmas ( War is Over ) which reminds me of a school Christmas in 1971.

Do you have a favourite festive film?

The Snowman and It’s a Wonderful Life are my absolute favourites.

What’s your favourite festive read ?

T’was the Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol

Are you organised or do you leave everything until the last minute ?

Mainly organised, although I can keep shopping until the very last minute !
 I do try to get Christmas cards written early and tend to buy Christmas presents as I see them from about October time.

Christmas Tree – real or artificial?

A good artificial tree works for us. Having always had cats who like to swing off glittery baubles and having had more than one tree pulled over by a curious cat, it’s easier to have something that’s not going to shed needles everywhere should it topple over !

Tinsel or Glitter?

 Tinsel rather than glitter but I really prefer stranded beads  or ribbons on the tree which I think look pretty.

Gingerbread Latte or Orange spiced Hot Chocolate?

I love gingerbread so I think this would be my indulgent treat !

Mince Pie or Yule Log?

A little bit of both works for us. Warm mince pie and a dollop of cream for me but it’s always Yule log for the family and we have to test several recipes before we get to the one  that’s chosen for the ‘big’ day.

Christmas Dinner – Traditional Turkey or something Different?

Always traditional turkey, sourced locally and cooked to perfection by my husband.

Christmas Tipple – Bucks Fizz/Mulled Wine or something stronger?

In the morning it's always got to be Buck’s Fizz during present opening.
 I'm not a great fan of mulled wine - it always tastes too medicinal.

A fun game of after dinner charades or more chocolates and the television?

It's got to be chocolates , a good book or Downton Abbey on the television.

Enter my Christmas giveaway to win a paperback copy

 of



UK only
Winners will be selected and notified by email in early January
Good Luck.

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Please use the comment box below to tell us your earliest Christmas memory.

Jaffa and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.

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