We asked Spear’s friends like Michael Caines, Paolo Trevisan and John Arlidge to tell us about Christmas: their best-ever gifts, their wished-for presents and how they like to spend the day
We asked Spear’s friends like Michael Caines, Paolo Trevisan and John Arlidge to tell us about Christmas: their best-ever gifts, their wished-for presents and how they like to spend the day
Tanya Rose, CEO and founder of Mason Rose
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
When my father surprised all of us by flying our entire family (cousins, aunts and grandparents) out to Switzerland the first Christmas we lived in Gstaad.
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
That everyone I know and love has a happy and healthy Christmas… Oh and a pair of diamond earrings!
How do you most like to spend Christmas?
Read my son Twas the Night Before Christmas on Christmas Eve. Go to Midnight Mass. Open presents Christmas morning to Bing Crosby with glass of champagne in hand. Have all of the family over for traditional lunch with crackers and then listen to Queen’s speech. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life on video (usually fall asleep as too much food and wine). Silly games in the evening. Cold turkey sandwiches. Bed after perfect day. Christmas Day is the very best day of the year.
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Elena Baturina, entrepreneur, Russia’s richest woman and founder of Be Open
What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
The best Christmas present I ever experienced was getting together with family, friends and colleagues for a special ‘Russian Christmas feast’ that we managed to organise in Austria a few years ago. I enjoyed everyone coming together and being able to share the special time with them.
Read Spear’s interview with Elena Baturina
Michael Caines, chef at Gidleigh Park
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
That’s a hard one to answer as there have been so many wonderful gifts over the years, but one that stands out are set of skis from Zoe my partner. Last year it was finding and meeting my birth sister – that was an amazing experience that not even Santa could beat!
Content from our partners
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
This Christmas I’m hoping for a lovely jacket that I’ve had my eye on for a while. I’ve been banned from buying anything by my partner Zoe, so let’s hope my discipline pays off.
How do you most like to spend Christmas?
I love spending Christmas with my partner, children and the family. I grew up in a large family and we always came together to celebrate the festive joy of Christmas around the table with great food and wine. I’ve got the food sorted, let’s hope they bring some good wine!
Michael Caines guest-edited Food Friday earlier this year
Victoria Tryon, jeweller
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
To be honest, top of my Christmas list right now is sleep! However, a Kindle Fire combined with Bose noise-cancelling headphones could prove useful for my travels.
Sam and Eddie Hart, restaurateurs, Fino, Barrafina and Quo Vadis
Sam Hart
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
My eldest son – born on Christmas day.
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
Not to be woken up by previous answer at 5am
How do you most like to spend Christmas?
Eating, drinking and making merry with family and friends
Eddie Hart
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
A Roberts Radio.
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
A peaceful time.
How do you most like to spend Christmas?
With my girlfriend and family (and in particular my nieces and nephews).
Picture above: Eddie Hart is on the left, Sam Hart is on the right
John Arlidge, Luxury and Travel editor of Spear’s, and writer for the Sunday Times in London and Condé Nast in New York
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
Corny – sorry – but handmade cards from my children.
What are you hoping for this Christmas?
A QPR victory.
How do you most like to spend Christmas?
Eating my body weight in cheese.
Read more from Spear’s by John Arlidge
Read part one of what Spear’s friends want for Christmas here
Gina Miller, partner at SCM Private
Where are you spending Christmas?
For the first time in five years, Christmas Day will be at home in Chelsea then off to Dubai and sun for ten days.
What is on your wish list?
Sleep and time to watch the Bette Davis box set I hope I’m getting.
What is your best Christmas memory?
Twelve years ago seeing my daughter’s face when she saw Father Christmas in Lapland. She has special needs and shouted out: ‘But mummy he is so fat he will get stuck in our chimney!’
Ed Tryon, co-founder of Lichfields
Where are you spending Christmas?
In London for the first time ever! With a newly finished house (I moved in 1 November) and two children under the age of two we decided that being able to stay where we are is the best idea. Southampton are also playing away at Fulham so I will be attending that on Boxing Day and introducing my in-laws to the delights of the Barclays Premier League!
What is on your wish list?
Two well-behaved and healthy children.
What is your best Christmas memory?
Waking up as a 13 year old on Christmas morning 1993 to see an inch of snow had fallen overnight.
Ed Tryon won Property Adviser of the Year at the Spear’s Wealth Management Awards this year
Paolo Trevisan, chief designer at Pininfarina
Where are you spending Christmas?
I will celebrate Christmas with two parties: a dinner with my family and on the 25th a lunch with the family of my wife.
What is on your wish list?
Usually I do not openly declare my desires: I prefer to enjoy Christmas surprises. However, this time I decided to give myself, for next year, a special gift named the Ferrari FF.
What is your best Christmas memory?
I do not have any particular memory. To me the best Christmas present is the family reunion.
Read part one of what Spear’s friends want for Christmas here
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