A new kind of Christmas

If 'Embracing Christmas 2.0' has struck a chord with you, discover how author Veronica Henry created her own new-look Christmas...

And I spend it with my mother, in the family home I grew up in. Neither of us is short of invitations to go elsewhere, but it's rather lovely to spend the day. together, just the two of us, pleasing ourselves. It means we can pick all the bits we like about Christmas, and turn our backs on the traditions we're not so keen on. And we divide the prep evenly between us, emails flying backward and forwards in the run-up, so there is still a sense of expectation and excitement. Shall we dispense with crackers or might there be a couple from last year in the decoration box? Perhaps guinea fowl instead of turkey - even a crown is rather too big. My mother is the creative one, brilliant at decorating and flower arranging and making a wreath for the front door. I'm the keen cook. We play to our strengths.

And we stint on nothing - it's still going to be a day of indulgence, with all the rituals of swapping presents, getting dressed up, and feasting. I start in late November by making Nigel Slater's Christmas pudding, deliciously light and succulent and with the obligatory sixpence. There's a trip to a favourite farm shop to buy the smoked salmon and vegetables and cheese. I nip to the wine merchants to choose a special bottle of something. Mum doesn't drink, so it's all for me.