Top 10 holidays in the United Kingdom Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve was when the real magic began.

There was something in the air and the feeling of anticipation was almost palpable.

Shoppers rushing for last-minute presents.

The biting cold wind in your face, fingers tucked into gloves, thick socks and silly

pom-pom hats, willy jumpers with reindeer patterns, stressed mothers and fathers dragging

hyperactive children around supermarkets to the tune of tired Christmas songs.

The fight for the last frozen turkey, too much chocolate, mince pies, eggnog and bucks fizz.

There was a buzz and energy, a chaotic day of preparation and nervous excitement.

By evening, when most of the work had been done, people began to relax.

Bottles of champagne were popped, and families gathered together to watch Christmas movies on TV.

Every year as a child, my father would sit me and my brother on his lap and read us the night before Christmas.

We would warm our hands over the fire as chestnuts roasted in the ash beneath the grate.

My mother would eat blue cheese and crackers, the lights of the Christmas tree glinting in a reflection of the window.

We would stare up at the night sky, hoping for snow,

or walk outside in the frosty air as our breaths rose from our lips like billowing ghosts

to admire if the Christmas lights had decorated the neighbour's houses.

As it near 10pm, my brother and I would gather near the fireplace and hang out our empty stockings to Santa.

Our Christmas lists had been written and sent up the chimney weeks before.

We would take a glass of whiskey and leave it for Santa and leave a carrot for Rudolph.

It was then up to bed, lying with the lights out, butterflies in our stomachs,

listening for the clip-clop of reindeer and the sounds of bells on the roof.

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