How do you feel about Christmas? What do you like most and least about it?

I do like the fact that Christmas acts as a kind of anchor in the year to get in touch with friends and family.

I was raised a Catholic, so the Christian side of Christmas was stressed to me when I was little. So the very commercial version of Christmas kind of goes against the grain for me. I think that’s what I dislike most about Christmas.

I find Christmas very difficult from a sensory perspective. For instance, the lights are brighter and flashier than usual. The worst thing for me is computer generated lights, which go through a sequence on each different setting for about thirty seconds each.

How do you usually celebrate Christmas?

Until recently, I was looking after my mum, so I wasn’t able to celebrate much, as it would have been too disruptive for her. We’d just get some Brussel sprouts and mince pies in, but not much other than that. I haven’t really gotten into a new routine since then.

How do you feel about giving and receiving presents?

I used to hate present giving a lot more than I do now. I’ve gotten better at judging what someone would like as a present. It took me a long time to learn that.

I personally hate receiving presents, especially if I have to open them in front of people. For example, my ex-partner bought me a shirt one year. I opened it and did my best to respond - ‘oh, thank you!’. She was a bit upset, as she thought I didn’t like the shirt. But what I didn’t like was opening the present and being under pressure to have an immediate reaction, even though I don’t have a reaction that quickly. It takes time. I liked the shirt, but I unintentionally gave her the impression I didn’t. She was surprised when I kept wearing it.

In terms of receiving presents, I’m quite happy with surprises. It’s opening presents in front of other people that I have the problem with.

"I personally hate receiving presents, especially if I have to open them in front of people." Christmas presents icons

Father Christmas is known for wearing the same clothes all the time, his love of animals, and his ability to remember everyone’s address. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Father Christmas could be autistic?

I think my initial response is quite autistic in itself – my first thought was, ‘he only wears the same clothes since Coca-Cola decided to dress him. He used to wear all sorts of different colours before then’.

I personally think Father Christmas is far too orientated towards other people and socialising to be a natural fit with autism. I suppose his specialist interest could be present giving though.