From mums & neighbours to teachers & carers, meet some of this year’s magic makers…
To make Christmas special takes work – and the work often gets done behind the scenes by the amazing women in our lives. That’s why this year, we’re paying special tribute to some of the women out there who help make the season feel magical…
My magic maker is… my son’s carer Dawn
Emma Haines, 46, is a hypnotherapist and lives in Somerset
‘Parenting two children, one of whom has a complex disability, is a lot at the best of times. I can only do it with the support of some amazing carers and never am I more glad of them than at Christmas, when I barely have the capacity to make a cup of tea, let alone create magic for my family.
‘My eldest son, Ted, is 11 and has cerebral palsy. He’s a full-time wheelchair user, is tube-fed and non-verbal. It’s easy to feel like he misses out, so I used to find Christmas tinged with sadness. But then we met Dawn. Dawn has been caring for Ted for about six years and she puts so much time and effort into making life exciting and accessible to Ted. At Christmas, I really notice the care she takes, the fun she makes and the tasks she takes off my plate. She takes Ted to the local garden centre that’s known for its Christmas displays, where she’ll point out the lights and unusual decorations, let Ted touch things to feel the different textures and find festive smells so he gets the full sensory experience. Then she’ll tell me about his reactions, show me photos and videos of him enjoying it, and share his favourite items to give us present ideas.
‘Whether it’s sending me links to disabled-friendly activities or learning Makaton signs for Ted’s favourite Christmas songs, it’s all done with genuine love and enjoyment, and a desire to see Ted happy and included. Nothing is off-limits to Ted when he’s with Dawn. That’s one of the greatest gifts she could ever give me for Christmas.’
My son’s teacher is like the Christmas fairy, sprinkling magic all over the season! From spending hours of her own time rehearsing the nativity play and organising the Christmas fair, to helping a classroom of children make baubles, she goes above and beyond to make Christmas bright for the little ones.
My magic maker is… my mum
India Garrett, 26, is the H&B senior account manager and lives in London
‘Growing up in a family of five children means things have always been slightly mad in the best way. Christmas is no exception, and I have watched in awe over the years as my mum, Emma, manages to pull off the most wonderful (and busiest) time of year.
‘For as long as I can remember we’ve had special traditions, from decorating the tree together to using pillowcases instead of stockings (apparently, Father Christmas was always out of the real deal by the time he got to our house) and having the same nativity set on the hall table every year.
‘When my dad died a few days before Christmas five years ago, my mum still managed to make things special. It was strange and emotional and hard, but the traditions we had to guide us and provide a distant familiarity meant we got through it. Christmas now feels very different, but Mum ensures we’re always together to celebrate Dad and the festive season.
‘As time has gone on, new traditions have sprung up. My younger sister is now in charge of the stuffing balls, we have special moments to honour my dad and my mum, and I will undoubtedly be wrapping presents into the early hours of Christmas morning. Now we’re all a bit older, we love to get dressed up, so we have a mini cocktail party with just the six of us on Christmas Eve.
‘Christmas in our house is chaotic and emotional, but I’ll always be grateful to Mum for managing to make it brilliant, too.’
I nominate myself! My sister works shifts and some years she has to work Christmas Eve night, finishing work in central London on Christmas Day. So, I’ve often driven into London wearing a ridiculous Christmas onesie and playing Christmas music in the car to collect her. There’s no congestion charge and the roads are empty, so it’s actually quite fun.
My magic maker is… my neighbour
Genevieve Roberts, 45, is a columnist and lives in Hove, East Sussex
‘My neighbour Gill starts planning Christmas in September, as she starts making stockings not just for her (now grown-up) sons, but for every child on our street, from babies to teenagers.
‘Her self-appointed Mrs Christmas role started in lockdown, when she wanted to do something special for children who might be feeling isolated. It’s now grown into a street tradition. On Christmas Eve, after the sun sets, families gather outside the grotto her husband Dave creates (a gazebo, but clever lighting and lots of balloons makes it feel magical). The adults sip on mulled wine, while the children hunt for their stockings hanging up among the balloons.
‘Gill tells me that she loves doing it as she gets to experience a little bit of childhood magic again.
‘She remembers when my eldest daughter Astrid, now seven, picked up her stocking in the first year and pointed to the sky, saying she could see Father Christmas on his sleigh.
‘For our family, it marks the beginning of Christmas. For Gill, it’s the end of three months of toy research as she has a spreadsheet with everyone’s ages and what toys to include in the stockings, such as fidget poppers, chocolate coins, and drawing books and pencils.
‘She also puts a lot of thought into the making of the stockings themselves. Gill has experimented with different materials for her stockings over the past few years, from hessian bags to reusable swimming bag materials. Last year, Gill delivered coloured paper bags for children to decorate themselves and return, so they could find their own personalised bag-stocking in the grotto. My daughter asked Gill if she was Mrs Christmas when she came to collect her paper bag. “No, but I’m a very good friend of hers,” she replied.’
My mum Priscilla is one in a million. As a domestic abuse survivor, Christmases aren’t easy, but we always try and make it special for each other and others. For the past eight years, we’ve handed out hampers full of food, toys and clothes donated by supermarkets and toy shops to local families in need, as my mum believes everyone deserves a magical Christmas.
My magic maker is… my partner’s ex Tabby
Samantha Priestly, 53, is a writer and lives in Sheffield
‘When I first met my partner and he told me he had an ex and three young children, I was a bit daunted. Not about the kids, I have kids too, but about the ex who was very much still in his life. I wondered if we’d be able to get along, or if it would be awkward. But I had no reason to worry. ‘I’ve been with my partner for nine years now, and me and his ex became friends pretty much straight away. She’s invited me to every family event, and at Christmas we go to her house and spend time with the kids all together. I once remarked to my partner that she is the kind of person I would always have chosen for a friend and if I’d met her any other way, we would be friends.
‘At first, our Christmases together were mostly for the kids, but as they got older, our Christmases have become more about our own friendship. She makes Christmas special in so many ways, from decorating the house with lots of lights and making sure she includes all the family to always cooking me tasty vegan dishes and never letting me feel left out at mealtimes.
‘And she buys me gifts that show she’s always paying attention and listening. Last year, I’d been at her house admiring her hydroponics plant growing system. Come Christmas, she surprised me with one as a gift. I do my best to do the same for her, but she wins at Christmas every year!
‘It’s one thing being friends with your partner’s ex for the kids, but we are genuinely friends. And she shows that to me most of all at Christmas.’
My gift to her
What we’d like to give our magic makers this Christmas:
‘Dawn is a pilates instructor, so has exercise covered, but she also needs to relax as it can be tiring caring for Ted,’ says Emma.
Our pick: This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
‘My mum decorates the house beautifully at Christmas, so a set of scented candles are perfect,’ says India.
Our pick: Woodwick 2 Medium Hourglass Candles Gift Set
‘After all her hard work filling stockings, I’d get Gill a lovely hand cream,’ says Genevieve.
Our pick: Sanctuary Spa Signature Collection Hand Cream
So, what will you be gifting your magic maker this Christmas?
