Christmas interview with Fiona Valpy
Fiona Valpy has written one of my favorite Christmas novels, The French for Christmas. It's a wonderful book and I'm delighted that she's answered my Christmas questions.
1) What's your favorite Christmas memory?
There are so many wonderful moments from when my children were little, seeing the magic through their eyes. But perhaps my favourite was when “Santa” had left a letter, beside the plate of mince-pie crumbs and the carrot with the reindeers’ tooth marks on, saying that he’d got a bit stuck coming down the chimney and the cats had had to help pull him down. The children gave the cats so many extra cuddles that year, as well as a large helping of turkey, by way of saying thank you for rescuing Christmas.
2) What's your favorite Christmas song?
“Joy to the World” – because you can never have too much joy.
3) What are your 3 favorite Christmas reads?
My first is the poem “’Twas the night Before Christmas” which I used to read to my children on Christmas Eve as one of our family traditions.
The other two would have to be books by two of my fellow-Bookouture authors, (and it’s hard to choose because there are so many lovely ones out there): Jenny Hale’s “Coming Home for Christmas” and Sue Watson’s “Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake” are definitely up there.
4) What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?
An engraved silver heart for my charm bracelet from my two sons. I wear it every day. They live at opposite sides of the world now, but I always have that little bit of them with me wherever I go.
5) What does your ultimate Christmas look like?
It definitely features a big, noisy crowd of family; a tree decorated with a colourful mish-mash of ornaments (including home-made ones) with a heap of presents beneath it; a roaring log fire; copious amounts of Christmas baking; a large turkey with all the trimmings, washed down with a bottle of fine French wine; a lot of laughter and a lot of hugs. And the final, perfect, magical touch would be waking up to a deep fall of snow on Christmas morning.
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About Fiona Valpy
Fiona Valpy spent seven years living in France, having moved there from the UK in 2007.
She renovated an old, rambling farmhouse with her husband, developing new-found skills in cement-mixing, interior decorating and wine-tasting.
All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place and the people, found their way into the books she wrote there.
Giveaway:
The winner of this giveaway will receive a digital copy of The French for Christmas together with a beautiful French countryside real flower necklace made by Meeliki Creations. Good luck!
I will contact the winner via e-mail. If I don't get a reply within 60 hours the prize will go to someone else. All of my giveaways are international, you can find the official rules here.
My favorite Christmas song is The Little Drummer Boy because he was poor but gave what he had, his talent. When I listen closley to the words of this song I am brought to tears.
ReplyDeleteDo You Hear What I Hear? Favorite song
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas memory is when I made my first Christmas dinner with my little family, I will always treasure that!
ReplyDeleteThe best Christmas gift I received was a new bike, which I still have!
ReplyDeleteThe best Christmas gift I received was a box of Hotel Chocolat chocolates just after my youngest son was born. I love chocolate and went right off it when I was pregnant so this was such a great present for me and I really enjoyed eating them!
ReplyDeletebest Christmas gift was a coat
ReplyDeleteMy favourite "Christmas Song" is:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPblZa10_Pk
My best Christmas memory is of waking up to find a large santa sack at the end of my bed with a doll and lots of doll's clothes that my Mum had made in it.We didn't have much but my Mum and Dad worked hard all year to make sure we had a lovely Christmas.They were awesome :)
ReplyDeletemy ultimate christmas would be one with a christmas tree with bnuùerous gifts under it, my family ( without my brother having an hypoglycemy crisis) and my best friend ( and her family) that would be fantastic with a white christmas putside ( but i don't have an appropriate house for that)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite "Christmas Song" is:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPblZa10_Pk
I love Christmas music, so it's difficult to choose a favorite song. I really love Little Drummer Boy.
ReplyDelete"2) What's your favorite Christmas song?"
ReplyDelete"The Christmas Song" - the one by Mel Torme.
My ultimate Christmas is the one I'm with my beloved ones: my mom, my dog, and my boyfriend.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is The Christmas Song
ReplyDeletefave christmas song is 'all i want for christmas' by Mariah Carey
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that seeing the magic through my kid eyes is the best Christmas memory :)
ReplyDeleteMy ultimate Christmas would be a snowy one.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is silent night.
ReplyDeleteMegan @ reading away the days
What's your favorite Christmas song?
ReplyDeleteSilent Night :)
Interesting!
ReplyDeleteRabbit coat was the best gift I ever recieved.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is Silver Bells.
ReplyDeletei love snoopys xmas
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells.
ReplyDelete2) What's your favorite Christmas song?
ReplyDeleteA: Jingle Bells :D
the best Christmas gift I ever received was my engagment ring.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is Greensleeves.
ReplyDeleteMy Favorite Christmas memory? The first Christmas with my newborn son! Even though he couldn't remember it, that was the best Christmas present ever.
ReplyDeleteI like Little Drummer Boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
My favorite Christmas song is Sleigh Ride.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is Oh Holy Night. Just so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh Holy Night is my favourite Christmas Song, I find it so moving
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is The Little Drummer Boy.
ReplyDeleteits the greatest time of year by Aly and AJ
ReplyDeleteMy ultimate Christmas would be no snow, warm, Florida or Hawaii and all the types of decorations and food that is Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, my favorite Christmas gift is the birth of my 8th child on the 10th of the month 😍
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is "Do you hear what I hear?"
ReplyDeleteI love Little Drummer Boy.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Chrstmas song is O Come All Ye Faithful. It reminds me of the all of the Christmas Programs I participated in as a child. We always marched into the church to this hymn
ReplyDelete2) My favorite Christmas song is Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Michael Bublè
ReplyDeleteFavourite Christmas song is Silent Night x
ReplyDeleteMy 3 favourite Christmas reads are: twelfth night, the jolly christmas post and the snowman x
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas songs are anything by Michael buble
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas songs are anything by Michael buble
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely Christmas dreams. The real flowers are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteMary Beth Elderton
And my favorite Christmas song is 'The Carol of the Bells'
Delete1- a melhor recordação é de toda a gente reunida rindo e sendo feliz sem saber :)
ReplyDeleteLet it snow, All I want for Christmas and Shake the Happiness!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is "Christmas Shoes".
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth by Bing Crosby and David Bowie.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas memories are while my son was growing-up. From the age of 2-9 were really special because he'd be so excited. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is "O Holy Night".
ReplyDeleteWhite christmas
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is definitely silent night! Such a calming and beautiful song!
ReplyDelete3 fave Xmas reads include: Sleigh bells in the snow by Sarah Morgan, One wish in Manhattan by Mandy Baggot and Christmas wishes and mistletoe kisses by Jenny Hale.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas songs are Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland and a new one Kenny Roger's Children, Go Where I Send Thee featuring Home Free off of his Once Again, It's Christmas album.
ReplyDeleteMerry Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteThe best Christmas present I have received is a handmade shop made by my grandad
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is also Joy to the World
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Christmas song is O Come All Ye Faithful
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song is Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas song - Winter Wonderland
ReplyDeleteMy fave Christmas song is O Holy Night sung by Mariah Carey.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite Christmas memory is my first white Christmas
ReplyDelete