After her stunning summer show at Carlisle racecourse this year, we caught up with Paloma Faith to talk Christmas, roller skates and Gremlins...

Is there a Christmas present that you remember well from your childhood?

Fisher Price roller skates. I have a cassette tape recording of my mother asking me what I would like one Christmas and true to self I replied “nothing” and she says to me “Paloma you must want something, if you could have anything in the world what would it be?” And I said “Fisher pPice roller skates”. I love that tape. Memory is a funny thing because I probably would have forgotten those skates if I didn’t have the tape. I used to skate up and down my street on them because I wasn’t allowed on the road.

Do you have Christmas dinner?

Yes but I hate turkey so I have to be imaginative about the meat! I am a huge fan of Jamie Oliver’s best roast potatoes and I love sprouts in the oven with balsamic and honey! An amazing combo.

Every year I always do all the cooking and have all the guests I like my house to be welcoming and warm and fun.

I like to have a nice breakfast and go through the stockings and then start cooking. It’s a lot of work I usually feed 10.

Given the chance, would you go abroad for a holiday or stay at home for Christmas?

I like to go away just after Xmas for some winter sun. I over work usually and really rely on these holidays to rehabilitate.

What would be your dream present?

A Leica camera they take lovely pictures. I am also a bit obsessed by Gucci.

Real tree or fake tree?

Fake tree it’s better for the environment and no needles!

I go to town on the tree yes and over the years I’ve got some excellent ones. This year my fave purchase has been an avocado on toast bauble.

What is your fave Christmas movie and song?

Gremlins because it’s weird and dark and reminds me of my childhood. Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt. She really sexed it up!

Do you still write Christmas cards?

I do cards I think it’s nice to do them and thank people for everything they have done with you that year

Has having a child of your own made Christmas a much more magical holiday?

I think so. I have already started explaining the magic of Christmas by reading the stories and explaining the whole thing.

My little one is not very aware of it all right now but just starting to come to terms with it

Paloma Faith’s album The Architect - Zeitgeist Edition is out now on RCA Records