At a time when homes have put up their Christmas trees and the holidays are just around the corner, let’s take the time to spend a few minutes with a personality. For this end of the year, Gala.fr asked several stars to talk about Christmas. A souvenir, a gift… Let’s forget the time for an interview this year which was rich in emotions. Adeline François, co-presenter of the BFMTV morning show First edition alongside Christophe Delay, agreed to take part in the Christmas interview with Gala.fr.
Gala.fr: Has Santa Claus ever disappointed you?
Adeline François : No because when I was a kid I only got one gift, so I usually got the gift I asked for. And today, what I like about the gift is more the fact of telling myself that the loved one who is giving it to you spent time looking for it, wrapping it. Sometimes, a little thing in a pretty package often makes me more happy than something that looks like it cost a lot of money.
Gala.fr: This year, what does your Christmas list consist of?
Adeline François : In fact, I mostly ask others for lists, I don’t make any. Sometimes, I have fun leaving a magazine lying around on the table and I put little heart-shaped post-its on the pages to leave little trails. But there, for Christmas, I didn’t ask for anything. I have more pleasure in giving than joy in receiving. I write down gift ideas for my loved ones in my phone all year round, so I have endless lists and when Christmas time approaches, I look through my list. I’m not in the race for gifts, it’s a very organized thing at home, I’ll always be looking for the gift that the other person isn’t expecting. I remember finding a key ring for my father from the first company where he worked on Le Bon Coin. It made him really happy.
Gala.fr: For a Christmas meal, what is the essential food?
Adeline François : I’m going to make some people scream but my family has been in the South-West for thirty years, so foie gras and oysters.
Gala.fr: The kitsch Christmas sweater, are you for or against it?
Adeline François : I’m all for it! It’s a bit like for a gift, I’m looking for THE sweater. I found a sweater in which you can insert a fireplace wallpaper from your cell phone. In fact, the sweater is knitted as if there was a huge fireplace on the torso, you insert your fireplace which crackles with your phone, there is a special insert on the stomach. It’s awesome !
Gala.fr: What is your favorite Christmas song?
Adeline François : I love “So this is Christmas” by John Lennon. There are children’s choirs behind, it’s really a Christmas carol. You put it in the car, you look at the Christmas lights in the street, you get chills!
Gala.fr: What is the Christmas memory that is anchored in you?
Adeline François : My memories of Christmas are from childhood because I have a mother who has a very large family, so we all gathered at my grandparents’ house in Haute-Marne and there were tables of 30 or 40 people. It was joyful. We were going to hide a little before midnight because we had to make Santa believe we were sleeping otherwise we wouldn’t have any presents, we would leave milk and cakes for the reindeer on the doorstep. We really believed it. We opened presents before going to bed in our family, we didn’t wait until the next morning, so we went to bed with our presents. I remember sleeping with my doll or with a Mako knitting machine, I was so happy to have one! These are also somewhat nostalgic memories because there are dozens and dozens of people who are no longer here today, notably my grandparents, and it is true that over time, we can have tend to be a little sad at Christmas because we think of those who are no longer around the table.
Gala.fr: Is the Christmas tree installed on December 1st or… on the wire, just before Christmas? Adeline François : I plan to make my tree the first weekend in December. I’ve been developing the menu for a while now with my mom because we’re going to have Christmas in the Pyrenees. So no, never last minute, because it’s the best way to face crowds and stock shortages.
Gala.fr: Does having children allow you to rediscover the Christmas spirit?
Adeline François : The children repopulate the tables which have become fewer in number with the passage of time. Parents become grandparents, children become parents, and then we have little ones around the table, it’s the cycle of life. I have fond memories of my daughter’s first Christmases, when we really hid the presents, when I saw her believe like me, hard as iron, in Santa Claus, putting a carrot and milk outside for Santa and the reindeer. And even today, when you see your parents who have become grandparents and who take care to give gifts, I find it very touching.
Gala.fr: Besides, what did your children ask Santa Claus for?
Adeline François : She wants a phone but I don’t think she’ll get one… What else did she ask for? She wants acrylic markers because she really likes to draw. I think she’s also hoping for little earrings but she doesn’t have pierced ears (Laughs)! But what’s funny is that she’s a bit like me, she wants to give gifts and she doesn’t necessarily think about making her list. She wants to buy other gifts, she loves it.
Gala.fr: What is the best gift we could give you?
Adeline François : If we could grant one wish, it would be to set a big table again with my grandparents, my husband’s parents who are no longer there either, a Christmas miracle! Afterwards, if you really want to give me something for Christmas, I want a pair of binoculars to look outside (Laughs). And otherwise, a cookbook by Yotam Ottolenghi called “Jerusalem”. I discovered this chef a few months ago and I love it! Plus with the context, I think it’s a beautiful book. It’s still a place where you can make peace in the kitchen…
Gala.fr: After Christmas, it’s the transition to the new year. How do you view 2024?
Adeline François : I can’t wait for 2024, because there will be perhaps a little more festive news with the Olympic Games and then on a personal level, I had lots of injuries this year, I don’t I haven’t stopped breaking my face, so I can’t wait until 2024 to be well recovered on both my legs!
Photo credits: COADIC GUIREC / Bestimage / Montage Gala.fr