A 2013 channel Christmas
Christmas can be as varied as the families doing the celebrating. Fleur Doidge asks leading channel executives how they plan to spend their day
Andy Dow - Tech Data marketing director
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
I always look forward to Christmas because it is when all the family gets together. My kids will be back home from work and uni and the house fills with noise again.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
Christmas Day starts and ends at home, with drinks at friends' houses scattered throughout the day. I love to cook Christmas dinner; it starts with the most important ingredient: fine wine. Then on with the food, I simmer it all slowly, throughout the day.
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
There will be wine and mince pies somewhere in the neighbourhood -- and a carol service to get us into the mood for the holidays.
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning?
It does not matter how old the kids become, our day starts with them bursting into the room with their stockings, so we can all sit on the bed and open them together. However, now they are in their twenties the day does start a little later than when they were small. That is good news...
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
It is a great family time and a chance to see friends and relations. It changes as the family grows, but it never ceases to be full of fun. It is a lively period and a good time will be had by all. Merry Christmas!
James Kight - Printerland managing director
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
Very much so -- it's the only time of the year when my phone doesn't need charging daily.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
We will be at Costa Adeje Tenerife (the posh end).
*Champagne breakfast
*Sunbathing
*King prawns in garlic for lunch
*Sunbathing
*At 5pm, beer followed by G&Ts
*Champagne gala dinner
*Mini disco
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
The mini disco -- followed by a performance of Mamma Mia. The last three years, I have played Harry (or it may have been Bill) - it's nearly as good as the West End.
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning?
Check if Santa has had his whiskey and Toblerone left for him on the balcony!
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
Yes. It's what you make of it and who you spend it with - also, an average temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) helps.
Dave Poskett - Huawei vice president for enterprise in the UK and Ireland
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
Yes -- Christmas is always a great time to recharge the batteries and reconnect with friends and family. It also represents a chance to take stock of the last 12 months and refocus on new challenges for the year ahead.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
Like most Christmas days it will involve a little bit of over-indulgence and a mild squabble over the remote control!
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
We always go over to my brother's for a family get-together, play our respective musical instruments (guitar, in my case), and sing carols.
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning?
Have a big breakfast with the family - it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
I find I enjoy it more as the years go by. Less pressure makes it easier for everyone to enjoy, although admittedly it might be missing some of the magic of years gone by.
Mark Starkey -- Logicalis UK and Ireland managing director
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
Yes, absolutely. I think 2014 will be a good year. The UK economy is picking up and there are lots of opportunities.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
Christmas Day will be in Dubai with my wife and three kids! Getting some R and R.
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
Yes...again it will be different this year...Christmas Eve on the Palm!
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning? Spend some quality time with my wife and kids and somehow explain to my four year old how Santa knows we are in Dubai.
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
Yes, definitely, maybe even better. Time to really appreciate your family and look forward to the challenges that the new year will bring, as well as reflect on the highs and lows of 2013.
Alex Tatham - Westcoast sales and marketing director
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
Of course - nothing better than bringing the family together.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
Everyone comes to us - same as every year.
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
Drinks with neighbours, and midnight mass - rock ‘n' roll!
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning?
Open the champagne.
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
Yes - but different. I need grandchildren!!!!
Ian Vickerage - Imago Group managing director
Are you looking forward to Christmas this year?
Yes, I am looking forward to Christmas, mainly because I have to take some time off! It has been a massively busy and productive year, especially in the last three months, so it will be nice to do nothing for a few days. Chilling out with my family will be extra special this year. Plus this will be my last ever Christmas in this house as we will be moving out in January, so there will be some sorting out to do.
Where do you plan to stay or go on Christmas Day? How will the day pan out?
On the theme of chilling out, I won't be doing a hell of a lot on Christmas Day: out for breakfast, Christmas lunch at home, and family visiting us in the afternoon.
Do you go out on Christmas Eve? If so, where?
On Christmas Eve we will be going out to a restaurant for a late lunch, as we traditionally do. Then we will probably be going round to a friend's house for evening drinks.
What is the first thing you will do on Christmas morning?
On Christmas morning the first thing I will do is make a whisky-soaked cup of tea for me and my wife. And then head out to my son's house for a home-cooked full English with his family.
Is Christmas as good as it used to be? Please explain.
Christmas is much better than it used to be -- because when the kids were young and at home we used to get too little sleep and too much telly! Have a lovely Christmas!
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