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Lloyd Cooney: ‘I look forward to the magic of Christmas Eve most’

My Christmas: Actor on his gift exchange ritual and last-minute shopping

Lloyd Cooney: Christmas Day is spent in my parents’ house on North King Street, not the house I grew up in but a stone’s throw away from it. Photograph: Ste Murray

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Arlene Harris
Thu Dec 9 2021 - 00:00

Actor Lloyd Cooney really loves the anticipatory feeling of Christmas Eve and heading home to spend time with family for the big day.

How will you spend the Christmas Eve? 
I spend Christmas Eve at home with my partner and we like to exchange gifts over brunch before both heading back to our respective families. Which might sound idyllic, but in reality, consists of burnt bacon and me gone missing for an hour pretending to be "popping out" for orange juice, while frantically scarpering to Brown Thomas for vouchers.

Lloyd Cooney: I’ll pretend to be ‘popped out’ for orange juice, while frantically scarpering to Brown Thomas for vouchers. Photograph: Alan Currie/Getty Images

Where are your favourite haunts at Christmas? 
There is something about the magic of Christmas Eve that I look forward to most, maybe it's the build-up of anticipation or the sly last pint or three in Grogan's, squeezed in en route to "home-home" which is never quite topped by the day itself.

And Christmas Day? 
Christmas Day is spent in my parents' house on North King Street, not the house I grew up in but a stone's throw away from it. Being home for this period always results in reverting to childhood roles and also bumping into people in Centra who ask, "Are you still doing the acting", as I queue for Christmas cards and any wine that's on special offer which I should have bought days ago.

Christmas