My Christmas: Julia Edward

Julia Edward

World champion rower and 2014 Bay of Plenty Sportsperson of the Year

¦Who will be joining you around the Christmas table?

Every year we alternate Christmas dinner with mum and dad's side, this year we are hosting the Edward family at our home in Rotorua. My cousins are back from the UK with their children so it'll be exciting to have a bit of fun with them opening presents.

¦What will be served up?

Mum and I are going to get stuck in the kitchen and cook up a storm for our big family. We're having Christmas ham (of course), turkey, salmon, new potatoes, pea mash, and roasties. We love our dessert, so we'll be making a strawberry trifle, ice cream and a croquembouche. It's fun to build and looks impressive.

¦What will you be doing while you're waiting for the food?

On Christmas morning we normally wake up a little tired from our Christmas Eve party. Mum cooks up a yummy brekky to stretch the stomachs for Christmas dinner. During the day we normally get outside for some kind of family activity, this year we're playing a short round of golf. After that, Mum and I will head home and start prepping for dinner! While this is going on the boys will be fiddling with their new gadgets and sitting on the deck listening to music.

¦What music will be playing in the background?

I'm picking this year. We'll be switching between Tim Beveridge's Christmas album and the Edward Brothers aka the spongy pud boys. Singing has always been a big part of our family, unfortunately me and my brothers haven't been blessed with this talent so we leave the singing up to Dad and his brothers.

¦What do you hope is waiting under the tree for you?

I would love a French bulldog but I think Santa is aware I'm not quite ready to take care of a puppy. However, I can always trust that I'll be stocked up on socks and undies.