Former Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton has given an exclusive glimpse into her family's cherished Christmas preparations, revealing the simple traditions that form the heart of their festive celebrations.
The Family Anchor: Decorating the Christmas Tree
The singer, who will celebrate this year with her husband Charles Gay and her five children – Josh, Harry, Alfie, Ella, and Kitty – identified one central ritual. "For us, the Christmas tree is the anchor of the season," Hamilton explained. She described it as the focal point where the family gathers to hang old decorations, play Christmas music, and create lasting memories together.
This year, her appreciation for the symbolic power of a community Christmas tree was deepened by her involvement with Asda. The supermarket giant intervened in Liscard on the Wirral, a town recently voted as having had the "worst Christmas ever." Hamilton helped light their new, impressive 30-foot tree.
"That's why what Asda has done in Liscard matters," she stated. "A tree isn't just about lights, it's about bringing people together, especially when times are tough." She expressed how moving it was to see families turn out for the switch-on, calling the moment "magical" and saying you could "feel the whole place lift."
Reindeer Food, Karaoke & Cherished Rituals
With young children at home, the magic of Father Christmas is very much alive in the Gay-Hamilton household. Natasha detailed their annual customs: "We do the reindeer food, leaving carrots and sprinkling rainbow glitter on the doorstep to show he’s been, leave milk and cookies for Santa every year."
Christmas Day itself is filled with festive fun that turns competitive. "It gets quite competitive at times with the games, and then karaoke comes out at the end of the day," she revealed, noting her singing career often comes in handy for the latter.
A Special Connection to Liscard & Atomic Kitten Reflections
Returning to Liscard held particular significance for Hamilton, as it was where she gave her first ever performance at age 15, just a year before joining Atomic Kitten. She was determined to change the town's reputation. "I thought - not on our watch!" she said of Asda's intervention.
Reflecting on her pop career, which was revisited in the BBC documentary Girl Bands Forever, Hamilton said looking back was "more cathartic than anything else." She expressed pride in Atomic Kitten's achievements, including selling 12 million albums and 8 million singles worldwide, with "Whole Again" becoming one of the best-selling girl group songs of all time.
On the potential for an Atomic Kitten reunion with Liz McClarnon and Jenny Frost, she said, "Never say never... I am still very close to Jenny and Liz." However, she hinted a reunion with former member Kerry Katona was not currently on the cards.
Despite her chart success, Hamilton pinpointed a different career highlight: playing the lead role of Mrs Johnstone in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers in the West End. "The feeling of sheer relief at the end of the show is unlike anything I've ever experienced," she gushed, adding she was the youngest actress to play the part at the time.
