Holding on to it

Christmas is perhaps the only time during the year when the entire family gets together. It’s also a time when people make happy memories and talk about the good days gone by. DNA spoke to a few celebs to know what their fondest Christmas memory is.

Rohit Barker DJ and RJ
When we were growing up, a few days before Christmas we would go over to our grandparents’ place and bake a Christmas cake weighing 40 to 50kg. We used to give it away to friends and underprivileged kids and that made it very special. The entire family would hang out together and with the smell of fudge cooking and peals of laughter, we had great fun. We do it now as well, but the cake’s not as large as it used to be. With the family spread across different parts of the world, it’s become very difficult to round everyone up!

Laila Baker, entrepreneur
My fondest Christmas memory is when our son learnt what Christmas was all about for the first time. When Max was three years old, we had to make Christmas cards, so we made him stand in front of the fireplace, beside the Christmas tree and took his photograph. That was converted into a card. It was wonderful because that was the time he understood what Christmas was all about, who Santa was and why we celebrate the day. It will always be the best Christmas memory because my little boy had started growing up.

Nikita Anand, actress
I always remember a midnight mass I attended with my parents when I was in school and it was beautiful, especially since I have grown up in convents and singing in choirs. I have always wished to experience a white Christmas and every year, I think of going to Europe for one but something keeps coming up. Once I get to experience that, I will treasure it forever.

Acquin Pais, model
As a kid, a week before Christmas, my parents would make us write down our wish list and put it under our pillow before going to bed. On Christmas Eve every year, we were asked to go to bed early or Santa wouldn’t bring in our gifts. Early Christmas morning, we would wake up and rush to the Christmas tree to check on our gifts and that feeling of excitement is irreplaceable. I will always cherish those memories.