Nannette Brimmer (Theatre Actress/Director)

As a child, I loved it. Christmas was a time to look forward to, but the anticipation was for a family routine, which warmed my heart. The ‘real magic’ began on Christmas Eve when an afternoon nap was ‘de rigueur’, as we had to attend midnight Mass – which at the time, actually started at midnight!

I confess to dozing off during Mass, but as it drew to its end, the anticipation of what was to come would have me bright-eyed and bushy-tailed once more. We'd walk briskly home and straight to the sitting room to light the fireplace. My mother would head to the kitchen to slice cake and pudding, fill a plate with mince pies and heat up the chestnuts boiled in hot chocolate. As soon as she was done, we'd start opening our presents, which we would have placed under the tree days before. Then it was off to bed at around 3am and as children, having stayed up that late was excitement in itself.

This was our family Christmas – exactly the same, year in year out, until the year my eldest sister moved permanently to London... until that one December when my Dad had a stroke... until that December when cancer got the better of my sister and she passed away, aged 38, followed by my Dad just under a year later.

For me, the magic of Christmas died along with them, and then it all became too commercial with too much traffic, too many people in the streets, too many spoilt children demanding expensive gifts, too many frustrated parents giving in to their demands, too many people buying impractical presents in haste, more because they ‘have to’ rather than because they ‘want to’.  Hardly anybody remembers what it is we are really celebrating. Shop window decorations get bigger and brighter and the cash tills ring louder than Santa's sleigh bells.

Naturally, I made sure my children grew up with some of the magic of my childhood days, but now that they've left home, I don't even have a Christmas tree. I still exchange gifts with family, but I buy all my presents during trips abroad throughout the year, so you won't catch me out in the shops at Christmastime. Midnight Mass often starts at 9pm nowadays, so Christmas Eve is then spent at home with a good DVD and a glass of wine, or two. The madness of the modern day Christmas is locked outdoors with the cold weather; it's a ‘Silent Night’ for me.

Dr Andrew Azzopardi (University Lecturer, TV & Radio Presenter)

My favourite Christmas memories are of the crib and the secret messages I used to write and hide in it. They were messages asking for gifts but also included small prayers for people I learnt about who were sick or poor.

I will spend this Christmas with my family, as I have done every year in recent years. Gifts are usually the wife’s department, but I always get the kids (Karl and Claire) an extra gift directly from me, without letting Sue, my wife, know about it – it drives her up the wall because the ‘polls’ on the day show that I am the most popular parent! Obviously they give me presents as well, and I receive some from various other relatives and friends. I love it when I receive a bottle of wine, but my favourite gift ever was a pocket watch.

To me Christmas is fun and an opportunity to spend time with the kids, the wife and the rest of the family. It’s like one big party that goes on for days. On a spiritual level it is also a time for recollection of good times past and of dearly departed ones.

Monique Chambers (Creator of Indulge Me, a gift list app used in 100 countries)

To me, Christmas is an excuse for great food and spending time with the family… and the chance to dance every night!

My favourite memories of Christmases past are mostly food related. I also have fond memories of living in Germany as a child and loving their traditions and, of course, the snow. I also cherished memories of my grandmother – I will miss her very much over the festive season. I will spend Christmas Day with my sister and my partner's family at our home.

My favourite gift ever was a sewing machine from my mum and sister many moons ago. Nowadays I usually buy gifts for whoever’s coming to lunch.

Mykill (DJ and party hellraiser)

For me Christmas is a really busy time, going from event to event making sure people have a good time at their get-togethers and staff parties. Luckily, my family understands that I have a busy schedule so we tend to meet before or after the festive season so we can enjoy some quality time without the holiday stress.

My favourite childhood memories of Christmas are trying to scratch on my uncle’s prehistoric stereo system turntable at some family get together when I was 12 years old. My favourite gift memory is also music related: my brother surprised me with my first electronic DJ (computer MP3) controller. At the time I was working with vinyl and CDs so I thought little of it… now I use MP3 technology every day.

I receive gifts from family members mostly.  If another distant relative gives me another CD holder I will die! I've got cupboards full of them and I don't even use CDs much anymore! I prefer a gift that is meant then one which is given out of courtesy.  I buy a few gifts for those people who I feel really deserve them, but I think I'm generous enough all year long.

There isn’t anyone in particular I will be missing over the Christmas period. This year I made it a point to cut the people who did not bring anything positive out of my life. As for my dearly departed loved ones, they are missed every day of the year.

Colin Fitz (Magazine Editor & Theatre Actor)

I love this time of year. For me it’s all about family, and being involved in theatre over the Christmas period means I have a second ‘family’ to think of. Being in panto at the Manoel Theatre last year, and in the comedy sketch show happening at Sliema’s Salesian’s theatre this year, has seen the last two Decembers split between my loved ones at home, and my companions on stage, in dressing rooms or in rehearsal spaces for hours on end. I almost end up believing I am the character I am playing and having feelings for the other characters in the show!

The actors and backstage people also make sure to buy Christmas presents for each other, while the audience applause and warmth is a lovely gift to receive. Audiences appreciate the effort we put into the show and love the fact that our satirical sketches and one liners help them let off steam after a year of hard work and watching authority figures posturing and laying down the law.

I have been in four pantos and this sketch show… the other years I remember spending most of the second half of December with friends or relatives, cooking and making merry at each other’s houses, making as much of Christmas holidays and work shutdowns as possible. Colin Fitz is taking part in The Comedy Knights Christmas Comedy Cavalcade at Teatru Salesjan, Sliema between 26 and 30 December 2013 at 8pm. Tickets from €10, including free parking. Tickets from www.ticketline.com.mt.