To get in the mood for the now-upon-us Christmas season, we thought we would bring you something a bit fun from some of our favourite chick lit authors. We asked lots of authors what THEY want for Christmas and here’s what they said…
Melissa Hill -
“‘I must admit I’ve never really been a big fan of Christmas as I’ve always found it quite Groundhog Day-ish. But this year will be very different as hubby and I have a new baby daughter Carrie, so after what has been an utterly crazy year what with writing two new books as well as new baby’s arrival, all I want for Christmas is a nice relaxing time with my our little family. Of course, a nice pair of Louboutin’s wouldn’t go astray either…’”
Sheila O’Flanagan -
I’m a bit of an electronic gadget freak (I’ve always been more into technology than fashion) and as a big Apple fan already have most things Mac, but not yet the iPhone 4 - so that’s top of my list.
I’d also like a Wii game that I can beat my nephews at but I might be looking for the impossible there because they’re way better than me at all of them.
I like beauty products that I think are too indulgent to buy for myself so I’d love to find something by Jo Malone in my stocking. The Origins Youthopia skin serum is great so that would be welcome too.
I struggle with my unmanageable hair and I’ve yet to discover anything that really works no matter what the ads say, so if Santa could invent a guaranteed, smooth-hair, frizz-free product and leave it under the tree for me it’d do wonders for the Christmas photos.
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without great books to curl up with and I honestly don’t mind what ones I get, although both the new Jack Reacher novel from Lee Child and Jeffrey Deaver’s latest look good in the action/adventure genre. I also enjoy historical fiction, and particularly like both CJ Sansom and Phillpa Gregory.There are 12 days of Christmas so 12 books is a good number.
Honestly though, Christmas for me is more about counting your blessings than counting your prezzies and as long as I have the people I love around me (and at least 1 good book) I’m very happy and blessed.
Jessica Ruston -
I’m in the process of trying to buy a wreck of a house by the sea, so my eye is constantly being drawn to lovely house-y bits and pieces at the moment. I’d love some of these cushions from Fine Cell Work, a great enterprise which teaches prisoners needlework and then sells their products. The Johnny Cash and tattoo inspired designs are my favourite. http://www.finecellwork.co.uk/products/showitem/308,2007 and http://www.finecellwork.co.uk/products/showitem/281,314
I’d also love this retro Fish and Chips print for the kitchen – its seasidey feel makes it perfect to go above the table. I’ll just need some salt and vinegar to go with it… http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/mrps/product/fish-chips-screenprint-on-paper
Staying in the kitchen, Christmas isn’t Christmas for me without cheese. At the end of dinner, sitting around with a bottle of wine and a cheeseboard, on Boxing Day with leftovers and baked potatoes… it’s an essential. I can’t think of anything nice than being sent a box of different cheese throughout the year to keep that indulgent feeling going. http://www.finecheese.co.uk/index.php/cheese-gifts/monthly-cheese-selection.html
Also, of course, books. F Scott Fitzgerald is one of my all time favourite authors, and these new editions, republished for the 70th anniversary of his death, with their deliciously Art Deco covers, are just beautiful. http://www.retrotogo.com/2010/10/f-scott-fitzgerald-penguin-hardback-classics-.html
What people don’t always realize about being a writer is how cold you get! I live in arm warmers from September to April – they keep my hands from freezing as I type. These charcoal ribbed ones are super indulgent, and would go with everything… http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/108399
The release of the box set of 24 has been my autumn highlight for the last 8 years, and I can’t believe this season is the last. I’ll be putting a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the front door and savouring it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/24-Season-DVD-Kiefer-Sutherland/dp/B0032Z8IH2/ref=pd_nr_zgc_d_h__283926_9?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&pf_rd_p=468411533&pf_rd_s=right-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=283926&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1V2AARBZ05FCY01R33NJ
Sarah Haynes -
#1. A gold and silver safety chain for my pink-themed Pandora bracelet. The bracelet is one of my absolute favourite possessions, I’ve been collecting the beads for nearly a year, most have been gifts and every single one has a special meaning attached to it. Sadly, it’s nearly full but I would love a safety chain for it because I couldn’t bear it if the clasp broke and I lost any beads.
#2. A copy of India Knight’s delightfully Christmassy-sounding book, ‘Comfort and Joy’. I’m dying to read it and everyone on Twitter keeps going on about how good it is so this is definitely on my list – if I can wait that long……!
#3. A pair of brown leather, knee length boots. I have a heeled version but I want flat ones, I suspect I would wear them EVERYWHERE. I’ve been searching for the perfect ones for ages with no success so I shall pass the baton on to my husband in plenty of time for 25th December!
And lastly, I would like to have a jolly good Christmas! All the usual stuff – hymns in church, fires, getting up at the crack of dawn on Christmas Day, drinking Bucks Fizz, watching my daughters’ faces as they open their presents….nothing amazing, nothing particularly special, just everything the way it always is”
Lucy Dawson -
“In case I’m not to late for Father Christmas’ chick lit list…I’d really like to find two Take That tickets in my stocking. More chance of a white christmas - but a girl can dream.”
Julie Cohen -
“At Christmas, we fly to the USA to visit my parents in Maine, where they live in a big white Victorian house that is always surrounded by snow in December. They have a tall Christmas tree and we celebrate the holiday in a big way (despite being Jewish). This year, my wish list is pretty simple. I want to lose a snowball fight with my son. I want to eat my mother’s turkey stuffing. I want to watch my husband and father bonding over sports on TV. If someone wanted to wrap up Robert Downey Jr and give him to me as a gift, I wouldn’t complain, but otherwise, I’ll be pretty satisfied with the snowballs and the stuffing and the sports.”
Since November 2009
We might be slowing down now for the end of the year and the festive season, but I couldn’t resist bringing you this bit of book news before the year is out! Cecelia Ahern, one of the most popular chick-lit authors around, is back on 3rd March 2011 with her brand new title Girl In The Mirror: Two Stories. I personally find Cecelia’s books a bit hit and miss for me, but I shall definitely be reading this one! It does say that there are only 96 pages however, so this may well just be a short story. There is another Cecelia novel on Amazon entitled Love due out in September 2011. Here’s the synopsis:
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