We may have only just got our foot in the door of December, but for some of our Woolly Workers, the festive season is already in full-swing. We’re back with another round of Staff Spotlights and each week, we’ll be asking some of the team what their favourite things about this time of year are. So without further ado, let’s kick off week one and see what Fabric and Needlecraft Supervisor Vic loves most about the festive period ✨

Hi, Vic! What are your favourite things about the season?

My favourite things are mostly to do with decorating, trying to not buy more ornaments and failing, and just generally absorbing all the season has to offer, to be honest. Everyone’s different, but for me, as soon as November hits, the tree’s up and the festivities begin. Christmas is pretty much a three-month event in our house!

Outside of that, over the past few years, my partner and I have attended a fair few of the festive walks here and there. Customer Services Manager Adam and I, who’s a great friend of mine, attended our first light trail together last year and I’m certain it won’t be our last. We always crack up laughing together, so after a fab pub lunch, we headed to the trail and had an absolute scream, complete with a couple of cuppas and toasted marshmallows mid-way round!

Sounds fab! Are there any shows or movies that you love to watch this time of year?

I love watching old Christmas specials of shows like The Royle Family; the first Only Fools & Horses’ Christmas Crackers episode and a fair few others. By no means is it festive and truly, I cannot fathom as to why this has now become tradition, but for the past five years I’ve rewatched all of Footballers’ Wives! If I don’t see WAGs at war and the iconic Tanya Turner and Amber Gates, it, strangely enough, doesn’t feel like Christmas. My partner and I have sort of done the same with Not Going Out; he introduced me to it a fair few years back. Even the non-festive episodes are always reserved for November onwards!

As for movies, I always rewatch Last Christmas. I love George Michael and that movie feels like such a love letter to him. Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh and Emma Thompson are all brilliant in that film and although sad, I find it such a heart-warming watch for so many reasons. Yet since it came out, Just Friends will always be on numerous times over the festive season especially. It’s mine and my bestie’s favourite movie of all time and we can honestly quote it in its entirety. It’s a staple now that we have to have an evening where I’ll make us a Chicken Balti, we put this on and howl. We usually follow things up with a Hallmark movie – gotta be done!

Oh, absolutely! What are your top three festive songs?

I’ve spoken on here previously in some old Vic’s Picks posts about some of my favourite Christmas albums – I’ll, once again, take this opportunity to remind you all of how incredible Luther Vandross’ Classic Christmas Album is!

When it comes to songs in particular though, my favourite Christmas song of all time will forever be Donny Hathaway’s This Christmas. Close second would be Luther Vandross with The Christmas Song and third would go to The Waitresses with Christmas Wrapping.

What’s the ‘now it feels like Christmas’ moment in your home?

I always put our tree up super early, so I can feel like this pretty well in advance. It’s typically when the house is all decorated, the tree lights and candles are on and I’m sat with a cuppa watching a Christmas special on the TV – bonus points if I’m completing a Christmas cross stitch.

Without spoilers if they’re for a present, can you tell us a little bit about your latest WIP?

I’ve had a latch hook kit on the go for a good few Christmases now for a present. It’s a spoiler, but I’m positive the recipient won’t see this! With this year being another busy one, I’ve not really had enough time to get it sorted, especially as its overall size is 70cms x 70cms. Other than that, I’m still working on my larger Tomb Raider cross stitches…still. Here’s to 2026, I guess!

And finally, what certain tipples (if any) or snack cupboard staples are a must for you this time of year?

I’m not really a drinker, but I do love a Snowball this time of year! For snacks, it’s always crisps, for me – no matter the time of year. But there’s got to be even more crackers, nuts, a smoky or fruity cheese; what I’d call ‘picky’ crisps – basically whatever you’d find on a Boxing Day buffet. Oh, and mega strong pickled onions 😂

Ooh, delish! We’ll be back next week chatting with another Woolly Worker about their favourites! Thanks, Vic! ✨