'Downton Abbey' Stars Jim Carter and Phyllis Logan Share Their Holiday Traditions
Over the years, fans of Downton Abbey have become familiar with the estate looks like come Christmas time. Sparkly golden decor lines every room, mounds of mouth-watering dishes are served, and cheer is emoting from every corner. And although the stars of Downton Abbey celebrate Christmas a little differently (i.e. NOT in a castle) their holiday traditions do have as much, if not more, spirit.
Jim Carter, who played the ever-watchful butler Mr. Carson, says his Christmases haven't changed much since his daughter (with wife Imelda Staunton) was a little girl.
"She insists that we do it the same every year, so we have the Christmas tree and we have the log fire and usually we have a whole bunch of friends around," Carter told Woman's Day. "But this Christmas it’s just me my wife and daughter and the dog, the four of us at home together which will be lovely."
Although Carter, 71, says he and his family enjoy filling stockings for each other, they save themselves the stress of buying Christmas present by skipping out on the gift-giving tradition. The actor does, however, exchange gifts with a few close friends, but with an interesting twist.
"I’ve got a bunch of mates and we meet for dinner and I said 'Look guys, this year, the secret Santa is you’re going to go on your bookshelves, find a book you’ve enjoyed but won’t read again, take it down, wrap it up and we’ll all swap books,'" Carter said.
Phyllis Logan, best known for her role as the stoic, yet empathetic, housekeeper Mrs. Hughes, has what is certainly a less stressful Christmas tradition with her family: going out to a restaurant to eat.
"Traditionally on Christmas Day we go out and have dinner out, or lunch out as a family," she said. "Then on Boxing Day I have about anywhere between 11 to 15 people. We have a nice big ham, we have all the party foods going on. I might actually cheat and get some shop-bought lasagna, but yes we do all that and all my family come over, my brother, my nephew."
Rather than buying presents for everyone who comes to visit, Logan says her family has opted to do a Secret Santa so that they only have to buy one gift each. Carter was quick to jump in and say that anyone who gets to receive a present from Logan is generally pretty lucky.
"I can give you a little exclusive here, Phyllis is the most amazing present buyer," Carter said. "At the end of the series she comes and says ‘Oh it’s just nothing’ but she’s laden with presents for everybody. She’s so generous."
Carter also added that Logan, funnily enough, spends the holiday season emulating her housekeeper character.
"Her house is like Downton Abbey, not in size but in the fact that it’s always full of people. She’s very much like Mrs. Hughes because she’s always washing sheets and changing towels because she has so many people to stay."
Logan was quick to joke back, saying, "Oh Mrs. Hughes doesn’t do any of that, she has other people to do it. I wish I’d get somebody else to do it."
The full series of Downton Abbey can be streamed on Amazon Prime. The Downton Abbey movie is available for download and on DVD .
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