'HELPING OUR GIRL PLAN SANTA'S TREATS IS MAGICAL'

LOOSE WOMEN STAR CHRISTINE LAMPARD ON LOOKING FORWARD TO FESTIVE FAMILY TIME WITH HUSBAND FRANK AND THEIR KIDS

- LYNNE HYLAND

Christine Lampard is in a very festive mood. The decorations are up, husband Frank is at home and they are looking forward to their most special Christmas yet with their children Patricia, four, and Freddie, one.

“The little ones are beside themselves,” says the TV presenter, 43. “Our little girl gets Christmas properly for the first time and that’s exciting for us. It’s magical to go through that again. She’s already discussing what to leave out for Santa – she’s worried he might have had too many cookies already!”

But with 25 December looming, Christine admits, “I’ve done very little! Every year I say I’m going to start in September and it never happens. There’s always a panic at midnight on Christmas Eve when I’m still wrapping, but that’s the way I’ve always been. I’m good under pressure. I haven’t messed up Christmas yet!”

Perhaps that’s because she feels no desire to turn Christmas into a showy Instagram spectacle.

“I’m careful with [gifts for] the children,” she explains. “I don’t agree with craziness with presents. I want them to appreciate what they are being given.”

The same goes for her and Frank. Her 44-year-old hubby may be an England and Chelsea footie legend who now manages Everton, but the stereotype of lavish WAG-style gifting makes her chuckle. “A gift-wrapped Ferrari? Oh no, that is definitely not our style. Thoughtful and emotional is the route for us.”

And Christmas is a double celebration for the couple, who mark their seventh wedding anniversary on 20 December.