As the festive season draws near, we’re reeling with excitement over the treats, tipples, and tunes that wait around the corner. To help heighten the Christmas spirit and get you in the merry mood, we asked the team our burning questions about their festive favourites.

Sit back, grab a hot chocolate, and read what financial accountant Amy Jaques, accounts assistant Judyta Posiak, managing director Steve Forrest, and junior surveyor Henry Smith had to say.

Q: What is your earliest memory of Christmas?

A: The house bursting with family, all crammed around the dining table. There was always room for everyone. My nan would come and stay over on Christmas Eve, which was always a highlight. My brother and I would wake up ridiculously early, full of excitement. Naturally, my dad would yell, “Get back in bed!” – a command we completely ignored, but my nan took it very seriously and dutifully went back to bed. My brother and I thought it was hilarious. Those mornings were pure chaos and joy – Christmas magic at its finest.

J: Looking outside for the first star on Christmas Eve with my sister. This is an old tradition in Poland that involves children looking for the first star, which symbolises the Star of Bethlehem and marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities.

S: Playing draughts with my dad until we were tired, in the hope we would not wake up too early. But it was never successful. The excitement would get the better of us and we’d be awake ridiculously early, only to be told “Get back to bed!”

H: Waking up way too early to find Santa sacks in the living room and turning on Christmas music to wake up my parents so we could open our presents.

Q: Do you have any special Christmas traditions?

A: Decorating the house is still a major event in our family, just like it was when I was a kid. Back then, the pièce de résistance was the kitchen roof; one year, we even made it look like a giant Christmas tree (90s kids, you’ll remember foil decorations were the vibe).

Now, I love creating new traditions with my kids. One of our favourites is building the Home Alone Lego house. It’s a festive family experience, though slightly stressful when someone loses a crucial piece.

And, of course, there’s the Christmas Eve panto. It’s a tradition we all look forward to. There’s something about the combination of slapstick humour, questionable jokes, and my kids laughing their heads off that makes it the perfect way to kick off the big day.

J: Yes, we celebrate Christmas Eve, which is the traditional Christmas supper in Poland, held on 24 December. The evening features a variety of delicious foods, family gatherings, and the exchange of gifts.

S: Growing up, our family didn’t have Christmas traditions, apart from going to church, which is something we did every Sunday. As a child, I never appreciated being dragged to church on Christmas morning when there were so many toys to play with. But now, I miss it if we don’t go.

H: Watching Polar Express every Christmas Eve, because it’s one of the (if not the) best Christmas movies.

Q: What is your favourite Christmas food?

A: Christmas dinner is the highlight – turkey with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding drowning in brandy cream. And let’s not forget the cheese board. Whoever decided Christmas needed a cheese board deserves a medal. It’s the one day of the year when eating your body weight in cheese is not just acceptable but fully encouraged.

Speaking of Christmas pudding, my mum used to wrap a 50 pence coin in foil and sneak it in for one of us to find. But the real showstopper was her ‘pretending to gip’ performance, where she’d dramatically throw up £20 notes! One year, my cousin refused to eat her pudding, convinced she’d choke on some money. It was hilarious, especially when my mum would proudly claim she’d “earned” £50 by the end of dessert.

J: My favourite traditional Polish Christmas dish is beetroot soup, served with small dumplings filled with mushrooms (Christmas Eve borscht). However, I also enjoy turkey on Christmas Day.

S: I love mince pies, but I’m not a fan of traditional Christmas food otherwise. I find it rather plain and there is an attempt to serve far too much variety, the result often being cold food on the plate. This is something I dislike intensely. I prefer fewer options with an emphasis on quality, not quantity, and steering away from roast dinners.

H: It has to be the pigs in blankets or the roasties – but they have to be super crispy. Also, a special mention to picky bits; they will always have a place in my heart.

Q: What is the most memorable gift you can remember receiving?

A: Rather than a specific gift, it’s the memories of Christmas with family that mean the most to me. The laughter, shared meals, and warmth of everyone gathered together. It’s these moments that stay with me. Every year is a gift in itself.

Becoming a parent has made me appreciate these moments even more. It’s shown me that it’s not about what’s under the tree but the joy and love you create for others. Knowing I’m building a magical world for my kids is the best gift of all.

J: I can’t say there’s a single most memorable gift that stands out, but I always appreciate gifts that show thoughtfulness and care. The idea that someone took the time to choose something with me in mind is what makes it special.

S: As a kid, I remember watching the advert about the Evel Knievel stunt rider toy and really wanting it for Christmas. I was so excited when that’s what I got on the big day. The other memorable present was a trampoline, well before these things became the must-have garden accessory.

H: A harmonica when I was really young. There’s an embarrassing video of me somewhere making up my own song. I’m usually reminded of it around this time of year.

Q: What is your favourite Christmas song?

A: Merry Xmas Everybody by Slade! It’s the kind of song that instantly transports you to a living room full of people singing (badly), dancing (even worse), and generally having a fantastic time. Plus, it’s not Christmas until someone screams, “IIIIT’S CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAS!” at the top of their lungs.

J: Definitely Last Christmas by Wham!

S: I like most Christmas carols, but my favourite by far is O Holy Night. I also like much of Handel’s Messiah.

H: Fairytale of New York, but all the classics have to be played at least once on Christmas day.

And that’s a wrap! Wishing all our clients and partners a wonderful Christmas and happy new year from Towngate.