Nancy Dell'Olio at Santa's Grotto, Winter Wonderland
Nancy Dell’Olio, 51, is an Italian lawyer who first moved to London when she was dating ex-England football team manager Sven-Göran Eriksson. She lives alone in Belgravia
‘I have a long list for Santa Claus this year — normally, I have a wish for every month. I always ask for good health and to be more at peace with myself. As for other people, I like to give vintage champagne and a Smythson diary, or an experience such as a trip to Rome or a visit to a spa.
Winter Wonderland is one of the most magical places in London, and it gets me excited about the festive period. Coming here is like going back in time and seeing how Christmas used to be when I was a child.
This Christmas I’ll be with my parents in Puglia. Italians have their main meal on Christmas Eve, when we eat fish and then open presents. Because I’ve lived outside Italy for so long, it’s usually a mixture of Italian and British traditions — my mother Antonia, who is 78, cooks turkey on Christmas Day. It’s the one day of the year when the English spend longer eating lunch than the Italians. It’s also the one day I won’t be dressing up. I will probably wear a red tracksuit, which is the best I can do.
Over Christmas I like to watch Hollywood movies from the 1940s and 1950s because they’re so romantic and glamorous. I haven’t watched Strictly this year because the main attraction isn’t there — me!’
(hydeparkwinterwonderland.com)
