What I got for Christmas: a baby, a 1,500-piece jigsaw, a 12-foot scarf
“We had a great day though. The dog especially had a great time with the mess, and we sit there and eat like the world is coming to an end. At 6pm, Alan gets up and heads back out to do the milking and that’s it.”
Amy: “My mother always says she doesn’t want anything but we have to get her something because she is our mom. The idea of the jigsaw is we thought we’d get her something to calm her nerves. She is delighted with it now.
“We normally get up at the crack of dawn, and once Dad goes off to the farm, we help make the dinner. Then Dad is back for lunch and we play some games and he goes off again.
“I loved the Bob Gill present. He is talking at the Offset festival in March and he is my favourite graphic designer. I didn’t know that my mother even knew of him, never mind that he was her favourite also.
“It was all very calm really so I think the jigsaw is working already.”
JOE CONLAN AND HIS NIECE SARAH BARTLEY
Joe Conlan plays one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
Joe: “Christmas Eve is usually my Christmas Day. I have to take Christmas Day easy as I have two shows each day for the next few weeks from Stephen’s Day onwards. I went to mass on Christmas Day at 11 o’clock. I then came home and made a few calls and went over to my sister who lives in Donnybrook. I had Christmas lunch with them and we exchanged gifts.
“They go all out and have a lovely sense of home. It is very warm and they have a big fire lighting and a gorgeous dog that is very affectionate.
“I am single myself. Christmas being single is different, but I am fine with it. I don’t have a problem being on my own Christmas Day. I lead such an active life that I love the space I get on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“ My mum passed away three years ago from cancer and I lived with her for many years. On Christmas Day when she was alive, we would go to a hotel.
“With presents, I tried to buy Irish as much as I can. From my nieces and nephews, I got a lovely dressing gown and I got some vouchers for massages. That is great for me as, while I got to relax on Christmas Day, it’s back to work now and my body will be really strained at the end of it all.”
Sarah Bartley: “Joe usually calls for dinner on Christmas Day and that’s the cue for us to have some champagne. We used to all meet in the morning when my Gran was alive, and then we’d go to our own homes in the evening but it changed when she passed away and so he comes to us for dinner.
“He is always really grateful whatever you get him. We got the dressing gown for when he is relaxing and my Mam got him a gift voucher. He got me a lovely top. He has a great eye and has been buying me clothes since I was a kid. They always suit me and fit me.
“I think because he is theatrical and around costumes, he knows what to get. Next time I will see him he will be on stage, and because he works so hard, we enjoy the time we have with him.”
