Take a trip behind the scenes and meet the models behind our Christmas shoot, one is a familiar face!
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Alix and I am the Country Manager for UK,USA & ROW at Merci Maman
Nice to meet you! And who are you a mummy to?
I have two daughters called Lottie (4) and Maggie (3).
Where are you going to spend Christmas this year?
This year we will be spending Christmas at our home with my husband’s family for Christmas Day and my family on the 27th.
It feels quite difficult to go away for Christmas when the kids are so young as they have all their toys and presents to bring with us and they worry that Father Christmas won’t know where we are!
Sounds great! Could you tell us about a Christmas tradition in your family or where you come from?
Every Christmas Eve we have dinner as a family and the girls get to open one present which is Christmas pyjamas and a Christmas book. We then set everything up for Father Christmas, a small glass of Port, a mince pie and carrots for the Reindeers! I love watching the girls getting excited and they are keen to go to sleep as everyone knows Father Christmas doesn’t arrive until everyone is asleep.
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
Chris Rea – Driving Home for Christmas. This song brings back so many good memories. Especially of me and my husband driving down the motorway before we had kids to see all of our family and friends back in Cardiff.
What festive food do you look forward to all year long?
I love the fact that you can eat whatever you want at Christmas. Patè on toast, Brussels sprouts, Goose and I particularly like my Mother-in-law’s Sage and Onion stuffing.
What’s your favourite Christmas movie to watch on a cosy afternoon?
There is too many to name one, Elf, Santa Claus The Movie, The Grinch, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Love Actually…….
As Christmas gets closer, what are your top tips for mums to keep everything running smoothly at such a busy time?
I always budget and try and remember that the kids are going to be happy that they have presents to open and that we are all together. Every Christmas I feel guilty that they haven’t got enough presents and the reality is that they are so happy with the one that they asked for from Father Christmas. This year I’m going to try and remember that!
What’s your go-to shop for Christmas gifts for your family?
Of course it’s Merci Maman and then after that it depends on what the girls have asked for. My husband and I usually buy tickets to a concert or show so we can treat ourselves to a night off from the kids.
Tell us about your favourite piece of Merci Maman jewellery and the engraving you chose.
My favourite is my Duchess Necklace with the girls’ names and my husbands initial. It’s also the first piece of jewellery I got from Merci Maman.
And which piece of Merci Maman jewellery would you love to find under your Christmas tree?
The Gemstone Stud Earrings or the new Origins Necklace. Hint hint!
Thank you so much for being one the models in our Christmas campaign. How did you find the photoshoot? As expected? Would you do it again?
I found the photo shoot a little stressful as you never know how well behaved your child is going to be. However Lottie loved it and we now have some beautiful photographs and memories to look back at. Thank you Merci Maman!
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m Anna Biset and I’m a primary school teacher, but I’m on maternity leave at the moment.
Nice to meet you! And who are you a mummy to?
My son Luca. He was born on 26.04.19 so was 5 weeks old at the time of the photoshoot but is now 6 months.
Where are you going to spend Christmas this year?
This year, we are going to spend Luca’s first Christmas in England with my parents and my husband’s family are joining us from France.
Sounds lovely! Could you tell us about a Christmas tradition in your family or where you come from?
Unfortunately, we lost my Grandmother on Christmas Day 2014, so Christmas is a tricky time but also a special one that we spend with family.
The last 5 years we have made it a tradition to go to theatre on Boxing Day to keep the festivities going.
In more recent years, we have incorporated my husband’s French traditions too. We now celebrate on the 24th with a special meal and exchange presents and do the same on the 25th. We are looking forward to creating some new traditions with Luca this year.
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
‘O Holy Night’ always makes me teary but I also love ‘Merry Christmas Everybody’ by Slade- reminds me of my Dad singing it in the kitchen while getting the Christmas meal ready!
What festive food do you look forward to all year long?
Definitely pigs in blankets.
What’s your favourite Christmas movie to watch on a cosy afternoon?
Love Actually – it will always be my favourite.
As Christmas gets closer, what are your top tips for mums to keep everything running smoothly at such a busy time?
It’s my first time this year so I’ll tell you once I have done it!
What’s your go-to shop for Christmas gifts for your family?
Merci Maman of course!
Tell us about your favourite piece of Merci Maman jewellery and the engraving you chose.
I have too many to choose from! My husband started buying me bits for our anniversaries, however my new favourite piece is The Alphabet Necklace with Luca’s name and birthday engraved on the back of a gold disc with a gold ‘L’ also. I love the option of the beaded chain too.
And which piece of Merci Maman jewellery would you love to find under your Christmas tree?
I do love the personalised gold bangles and they’re really different to everything else that I have. I do also like the Duchess Necklace with the little heart – so cute!
Thank you so much for being one the models in our Christmas campaign. How did you find the photoshoot? As expected? Would you do it again?
I had such a lovely day! As it was 5 weeks after Luca was born, it was the perfect opportunity for some pampering, some gorgeous photos and memories that will last a lifetime. I love looking at the beautiful photos and remembering how little he was! Tank you Merci Maman, we would love to do it again!
Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Jenny Macrides. I used to work in Hotel Acquisitions but now I am a full-time mum.
Nice to meet you! And who are you a mummy to?
My toddlers name is Theodore and he is 19 months old.
Where are you going to spend Christmas this year?
My husband and I are both from Australia but having visited our family there for 6 weeks in October, we are spending Christmas at our home in London with friends.
Sounds great! Could you tell us about a Christmas tradition in your family or where you come from?
Every Christmas my Mother in Law used to make these amazing nutmeg flavoured Greek biscuits called Kourabiethes. I make them every Christmas now. Some years they turn out better than others but they are still delicious none the less. I usually end up eating most of them myself!
We are also building up our supply of good quality Christmas tree decorations. Each year we find some new ones to add to our tree.
This Christmas I would like to start a new tradition of decorating the Christmas tree with home-made biscuits. I will have more time to prepare this year so I am looking forward to starting this new tradition.
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
My favourite Christmas song is Silent Night.
What festive food do you look forward to all year long?
My favourite is the turkey stuffing. Only at Christmas time can you justify the amount of butter that goes into them. This is my Mother in Law’s recipe and it is truly amazing. Nom nom.
What’s your favourite Christmas movie to watch on a cosy afternoon?
I don’t really have a favourite Christmas movie as I don’t like to watch the same movie over and over again but anything Christmasy that I haven’t seen before will make me feel really festive.
As Christmas gets closer, what are your top tips for mums to keep everything running smoothly at such a busy time?
1. Internet shopping for gifts if you can
2. Order as many groceries online and have it delivered
3. Pre order your turkey and other meats in advance
4. Stock up on champagne for the year as you can find some pretty good deals on the bubbles
5. Lastly when stressed, just pour yourself a glass of bubbles or nice red wine, turn on the Christmas lights and admire the view.
What’s your go-to shop for Christmas gifts for your family?
My go to shop for Christmas gifts for my family are Jacardi for nieces and nephews. For other gifts it’s just having a look around online then seeing the item in store before purchasing them.
Tell us about your favourite piece of Merci Maman jewellery and the engraving you chose.
My favourite Merci Maman piece is the Personalised Initial Pastille Necklace. I had the initials of my family engraved on the necklace.
And which piece of Merci Maman jewellery would you love to find under your Christmas tree?
I’m hoping the Personalised Intertwined Necklace in gold will be under my tree.
Thank you so much for being one the models in our Christmas campaign. How did you find the photoshoot? As expected? Would you do it again?I found the photoshoot to be relaxed and fun. Yes I would do it again just for the lovely photographs I received!
