Amanda Holden reveals Christmas will be ‘more precious than usual’ after her sister’s horrific car accident

SEVEN sleeps, people!

I’m on the festive countdown and so excited as this really is my favourite time of the year.

With Cinderella in full swing, it’s bringing back lots of memories from my own childhood.

Like the year my family and I all appeared in our local amateur dramatic society’s panto production.

Dad was Buttons, Mum was a witch, I was Cinderella and my sister Debbie was a soldier.

We were nicknamed The von Trapps for months afterwards!

Speaking of family, they’ll all be arriving at my home soon for the festivities.

After my sister’s accident earlier this year, our time together will be even more precious than usual.

Christmas Day at my house starts at around 6am, when we get up to unwrap our presents.

Then it’s fizz with breakfast, lots of nibbles and a huge lunch cooked by me.

This year I’m doing turkey, lamb and beef with all the trimmings, plus a nut roast for Lexi and me, as we’re veggies.

I always get glammed up in a sparkly number and dress up the girls, too – accessorised with party hats from our crackers, of course.

I’ve finished all my shopping now, so I’m feeling very organised.

I could never be a last-minute panic buyer, it’s just not me.

I always write a list, though I usually end up buying far too much.

But if you can’t spoil the people you love at this time of year, then when can you?

Before Christmas arrives, we have another celebration – it’s Chris’ 44th birthday tomorrow.

When he was little, people used to buy him joint birthday and Christmas presents, which I think is rubbish, so I’ve always make a huge fuss. One year, he told me that he loved Paddington Bear as a boy, so I hired a costume and surprised him on our doorstep singing Happy Birthday!

I’ve got the day off from work tomorrow and I’m whisking him away to the Cotswolds for a lovely lunch at Soho Farmhouse with the girls. And – shh, don’t tell him – but I’ve also bought him a drone!