Darcey Bussell
Ballerina and Strictly Come Dancing judge
We watch Top Hat every year. If I'd been a boy, I would have loved to have been like Fred Astaire. There is never any rebellion from my girls – they love dance. But I'm in the festive spirit as soon as I hear Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, although my favourite singalong is All I Want for Christmas by Mariah Carey.
Richard Curtis
Screenwriter and director
We watch Elf and all say: "Will Ferrell should have got an Oscar for this." But the new tradition is listening to White Wine in the Sun, Tim Minchin's extraordinary song about Christmas, families and love. We find we are all sitting totally still with tears in our eyes.
Stephen K Amos
Comedian
It's the perfect time to do the opposite of what's expected. I don't send cards and I don't expect to receive any. I will be heading off to sunnier climes, to a land where there are no baubles, tinsel or overcooked turkey. Thailand, a Buddhist paradise, is where I'll be. Bring on Christmas!
Fuse ODG
Musician
I split my time between here and Ghana, where my family is from. In Ghana, we go out, exchange food with neighbours, play music outside. It's mad, it's packed out. But when we're in the UK, everyone stays inside. Usually I don't get to spend a lot of time inside, so I get to watch all the sitcoms I liked when I was younger: Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air – even EastEnders.
David Schneider
Actor
When I was young and Jewish (I'm still the latter) Christmas Day meant helping my mum cook for the homeless at the church. I remember a faith-shattering moment one year when I was told Jesus had arrived – only to discover he was a man from Venezuela, where the name is common. Now I'm part of a mixed-faith family, Christmas is very much part of my life. I still love the family traditions we've built up: watching Elf or The Grinch. And, as a matter of professional pride, I guess the punchline of every cracker joke. Our dinner doesn't start till I've done them all. Mwahahahappy Christmas!
Tom Chaplin
Lead singer of Keane
I've got my sister and her kids coming over for Christmas, so I've ordered The Snowman DVD. I used to watch it as a kid. I was a budding Aled Jones, always trying to give a note perfect Walking in the Air. Star Wars is never too far away either – something familiar to help the mind unwind once the giant lunch is out of the way. And what would life be without a re-run of The Two Ronnies? Ronnie Barker's hieroglyphics sketch is one of the great moments in british comedy. Also, my Dad and I do this thing called Mini-Santa: he's the head and feet and I'm the arms. My grandad came up with the idea and made the costume, so it's a tradition that's been going for over 80 years. We have to sit it up on a table. It's quite eerie.
I'm fulfilling a lifelong dream this December by going out to Australia to watch the Ashes cricket. My wife is pregnant so I'm under strict instructions to be back on Christmas Eve. Beyond that, I always love doing something musical at Christmastime - we always used to go carol singing as kids. Last year, Tim [Rice-Oxley, Keane keyboard-player] and I did a few songs in a shopping centre in Hastings to raise money for a local homeless charity. I did a similar thing in London for Shelter. Christmas is lovely for most of us, but very tough for anyone who hasn't got a roof over the heads.
I like to be in bed on New Year's Eve. I honestly can't cope with the lack of spontaneity. The best parties are always the ones that come out of nowhere and I always feel like I have to try too hard at New Year. Plus I don't really drink any more, so it's a bit of a slog having to watch everyone descend into drunkenness. Fine for a while but by midnight I can only think of my bed. Bah humbug!
Andy Burrows
Composer of The Snowman and the Snowdog
I have no qualms about the fact that I'm a complete Christmas whore – I love it! There's nothing like an ice rink in a town centre. I don't mind if it's Slade, or that amazing song by Paul McCartney, or the theme tune from Home Alone, or walking into a church and hearing choirs, I love all of it.
I'm looking forward to the Queen's Speech, too, and a bit of EastEnders – I like how there's always a massive fight to make every family in the UK feel better about themselves. Everyone needs Christmas, whether they like it or not.