Christmas tips from Dan Snow and Alain de Botton

For the Spectator’s Christmas survey, we asked for some favourite seasonal rituals – and what to avoid at Christmas.

Dan Snow

My favourite thing is being allowed to ignore my phone and email for days on end, re-engaging with that vaguely remembered place, the now.

However, avoid overindulgence the night before Christmas. The kids will wake up on the happy morn earlier than seems possible.