New Idea asked our most loved celebrities to
deck the halls and tell us what they love about Christmas.

Rolf Harris
Christmas is a time to remember family and look out for other people; to spread as much love and affection around the world as you can and do the best for others,’ says Rolf, aka New Idea’s Santa.

This will be a wonderful Christmas for the performer who returns to London on Christmas Eve to celebrate with his family, including his wife, daughter, son-in-law and 12-year-old grandson and his nephew from Queensland.

‘We’ll all be together for a magical Christmas,’ he says. ‘We’ll be jet-lagged to glory just trying to get there, but we’ll enjoy the festivities of a lovely family Christmas.’

Kate Ritchie
On Christmas Day, former Home and Away star Kate wakes up to the wonderful aroma of a hot breakfast, then spends the morning watching jer family members open presents.

‘It wouldn’t be Christmas without ham and eggs in the morning followed by an argument over who’s doing the washing up!’ jokes Kate, who’ll spend Christmas at her parents’ Sydney house. ‘We have a tradition where we each open one gift at a time. It came from when we were kids and we wanted everyone to notice what Santa got us. Outsiders are shocked at the time it takes us to open pressies – and visitors have nodded off!’

This Christmas, however, is tinged with sadness for the Ritchie family – Kate’s youngest sister Susan will miss the family celebrations because she’s backpacking around England.

‘There have been family over the years who haven’t been home for Christmas, but Susan’s always been there,’ Kate says. ‘She’s the rock, the constant at every Christmas. It’ll be sad she’s not here, but I’m sure we’ll all talk to her.’

Kate laughs as she remembers one Christmas when her brother Stuart presented a surprise gift to Susan, which wasn’t well received. 'He wrapped up a potato and gave it to her,’ Kate says. ‘There were tears – poor little Susan was only seven!’

 Next page - celebrate with the stars of Sunrise