Lyra: ‘My ex gave me cooking gloves one year. What else can I say’

My Christmas: the pop singer on how she loves Christmas pudding, dislikes mince pies, and spending quality time with her family

What do you like most about Christmas? Being at home with my family. I know it’s cheesy but travelling around a lot it’s nice to be in one place with the ones you love. Ooooh - and my mum’s Christmas stuffing!

What do you like least about Christmas? Mince pies. They are just not the ones for me! I’m more of a pudding girl.

Is Christmas overrated? Nope. It’s only overrated if you make it or let it be. Christmas to me is simply a day with all my family, with no distractions, spending quality time together. You don’t get any other day of the year.

What is the best Christmas present you have received? I got a set of drums one Christmas and I thought I was a rock star, hahaha! I mean, my neighbours hated me, but I loved it.

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And the worst? My ex gave me cooking gloves one year! What else can I say…

The Christmas dinner – turkey, ham and the trimmings? Or something else entirely? I’m a turkey and ham girl with all the trimmings and extra brussels sprouts. I love them green stinkers so much. We have everything from honey-glazed parsnips to creamy cauliflower cheese.

What do you generally do around Christmas time - is it back to the family, stay overnight in a hotel or leave the country? Back home to family every single year. I normally have loads of music and events on up until late Christmas, but I use most of my time to watch festive movies and drink mulled wine at home.

Do you believe in Santa Clause? Always and forever. Who else eats the cookies and milk I leave out?

Your favourite Christmas movie? The Grinch - the original one, with Jim Carrey. I have to admit I watch it all year round! On some hangover Sundays it’s the only thing to get me through.

Your favourite Christmas song or piece of music? The Christmas song I wrote is called The Magic of Christmas, hahahahahah.

What do you really want for Christmas this year - peace, harmony and goodwill for all mankind or something self-indulgent like a wrapped big pressie under the tree? I would love, love, love a trip away with my sister. Since she has brought her amazing little humans into the world we don’t get much sister time and she is my BEST FRIEND. So a trip anywhere with her would be a dream.

Lyra’s current single is 29 Box. Her Christmas song, The Magic of Christmas, is now out.

Tony Clayton-Lea

Tony Clayton-Lea

Tony Clayton-Lea is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in popular culture