Dame Mary Berry on the sweet gifting tradition she shares with her husband

Dame Mary Berry revealed what her Christmas looks like for her, including the sweet gifting tradition she shares with her husband.

Dame Mary Berry appeared at Good Housekeeping Live, in partnership with Dyson, as part of an in conversation event with GH Editorial Director, Gaby Huddart.

During the chat, the Good Housekeeping December cover star explained how Christmas works for her family. This year, she said, her son was taking his children to Fiji for the festive period, but otherwise it will be a usual family affair.

GH Editorial Director and Dame Mary Berry.

Mary will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen, while her husband, Paul, is usually in charge of the drinks trolley on the day. "I like my white wine really cold," Mary said, with condensation on the glass otherwise it goes back in the fridge!

Mary also revealed the sweet Christmas tradition she shares with Paul when it comes to giving presents. "We do an IOU," she said, where the couple can decide at any point in the year to cash in their IOU for a little luxury, like a lovely cashmere jumper. That way, they both get a gift they really want and have something to look forward to.

"My husband is not good at giving presents," Mary laughed, revealing he had once bought her chicken pellets for the garden during the early years of the five-decade marriage.

"My mother thought it was awful, but I thought it was lovely," said Mary, who is a keen gardener. "Sack of manure, that's perfect!"

She also spoke about her Christmases as a child, explaining how her father used to write her mother a poem about the year that had passed, and all she had done for their family.

"He would read it out, shaking with emotion," she said of the annual tradition, adding that she wished she still had copies of the poems to look back on.