 When you own a medieval estate, you learn to put up with little inconveniences.
"We always have a huge New Year's Eve party with about 100 people," explains .lane Seymour of her nine-bedroom, six-bathroom manor house, St. Catherine's Court, located just outside Bath, England. "One year we had 30 people staying with us, and right before the party started, the electricity went out, and it was pitchblack. We lit up the house with a roaring fire and candles. It looked beautiful. (1f course, the electricity came back on about halfway through the party. We could sec: each other's un styled hair and lack of makeup. We turned the lights off."
Seymour's New Year's bash is the last in a series of celebrations that start at her primary residence in Malibu. There, on Dec. 5, the family observes the night before
St. Nicholas hay, a tradition that began with Seyrnour's Dutch-born mother. "St. Nicholas would burst into the room and throw candy at everybody," she recalls. "Of course, it was my father." Next, Seymour 54, her husband,director James Keach, 57, and their six children-Kalen, 28, Jenni, 25, Katie, 23, Sean, 20, and twins Kris and John, 9decamp with dozens of relatives and friends to St. Catherine's Court. The estate carne with its own still-active 750-year-old church, where a few days before Christmas the family attends a carol service. "Afterward," says Seymour, "all the villagers, with their kids and grandkids, come to our house for mulled wine and mince pies. We all sing together."
On Christmas morning the family opens presents and stockings.
"The house has 15 chimneys," says Seymour, so when her children were younger, "it was always confusing to decide which one Santa would come down."
The day ends with an enormous meal, and then it's time to start in on the preparations for New Year's. Says Seymour: "Christmas just goes on forever and ever.
JANE'S CRANBERRY RELISH RECIPE
© people magazine
|
Why limit the festivities to just one day? Seymour shares her holiday schedule
Dec. 5:
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, "everybody has to give a humorous gift that didn't cost anything and come up with a poem about the person receiving the gift."
Dec. 23:
Seymour and guests attend services at St. Catherine's Chapel on her property. "It's a small church, and completely packed."
Dec. 24:
Stockings are hung from the mantel.
Dec. 25, 11 a.m.:
The family opens gifts while sipping champagne and eating finger foods such as smoked salmon.
Dec. 25, 4 p.m.:
Dinner is served, including cranberry relish and a boneless three-bird dish: duck inside of goose inside of turkey, ,. so you get a bit of all three in one serving."
Dec. 31:
For dining and dancing at the New Year's Eve "black tie or better" party, kilts and ball gowns are optional. |
