Let's talk Christmas with... Clare

We don't need much of an excuse to get into the Christmas spirit here at Harts of Stur. Our shop is full of lovely decorations and gift ideas. We have some amazing Christmas trees for sale in our garden shop and the first job of each morning in the run up to the big day is to open a window on our advent calendar (chocolate of course!). But we thought it would be fun to find out a little more about some of our wonderful staff, especially what they get up to at Christmas. First up is marketing whizz Clare. Find out below what her favourite Christmas cracker joke is and whether she sticks to her new year's resolutions! Name: Clare Smith. Role/Job Title: Marketing

What item on our website have you got your eye on this Christmas and why?

I would really love to have the KitchenAid Peel, Core and Slice Spiralizer as an attachment for my KitchenAid Stand Mixer. It is great for easily and quickly preparing vegetables and fruit for salads and healthy meals.

So, have you finished all your Christmas shopping yet?

No I have only just started. I never know what to get people. I’ve already bought my own Christmas present though!

And what are your present wrapping skills like?

When I wrap Christmas presents I make sure every gap is taped thoroughly so it’s like the Krypton Factor for the family member trying to get into their gift. I wrap the dog's and cat's presents very loosely though, so they can easily get to their Christmas toys and enjoy them straight away!

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

Definitely the food. There is such a great selection of food available in the big food stores now, but I do love to bake and decorate cookies at Christmas. Giving them to guests with coffee at Christmas.

Do you have a top Christmas tip?

On Christmas morning, after the present opening of course, put some Christmas music on and get everyone involved in chopping, peeling and preparing the vegetables.

Who cooks the Christmas dinner?

If we are at home I cook the Christmas dinner. Usually turkey with stuffing, pigs in blankets and a mountain of veggies. Leftovers are great for a nice curry or stir-fry the next day.

Favourite Christmas cracker joke?

What’s brown and sticky? A stick!

What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

There are so many to choose from but probably a Wacom Cintiq. It’s a drawing and illustration tablet that connects to a computer.

And the worst?

When my son was little, he bought me a tiny child size plastic chair shaped like a tiger! It came with a stripy tiger cover too. I’m not sure how he thought I would sit on it? It was stored in the loft and stayed there for many years!

Do you make New Year’s resolutions, and if so, do you keep to them?

If I make a resolution to join an exercise class I usually keep that up as I quite enjoy them, but a diet is a completely different struggle. I’m pretty good for a couple of months but I like cooking and baking too much, so it generally goes out of the window!