I’m a mum-of-12 & my supersize Christmas includes 10 Quality Street tubs, 4 daily laundry loads & gift wrapping in Sept

Michelle Bannon, 39, is a maternity advocate and lives in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, with husband Craig, 41, a mechanical engineer, and their 12 children.

“Once the kids are tucked up in bed on Christmas Eve, I get to work prepping for the big day.

First, I pre-cook 80 roast potatoes and 80 glazed veg, and make 50 stuffing balls and 50 pigs in blankets.

Then, while our eldest Chloe, 21, keeps watch to make sure none of the little ones creep downstairs, my husband Craig and I race around getting the presents out from their hiding places.

I’ve been wrapping them since September, getting through 15 rolls of paper.

Together with gifts from family and friends, they cover the living room floor and cost thousands.

It might sound a bit OTT, but we have 12 children, so our Christmas is supersized.

I didn’t set out to have such a big family, but after our daughter Chloe was born in 2003 when I was 17, I kept suggesting we have “just one more”.

Charley, 18, came along in 2007, followed by Emily, 16, Lacey, 14, Libby, 13, Ollie, 11, Lottie, 10, Connie, eight, Joey, seven, Jessie, five, Jorgie, four, and Bobbie, 18 months.

Whenever we go out, people ask if the kids are all ours and when I say they are, I can see the shock on their faces.

But I don’t care – I’ve always adored our big family, though, of course, it’s definitely been hectic.

We have a five-bed mid-terrace house with a large garden and cellar, so we can all fit in comfortably, plus we have a 12-seater mini bus and a five-seater car.

We also have two washing machines and two dryers, which I need to do our four loads of laundry daily.

My biggest pet hate is food shopping – our haul won’t fit in one trolley, so I order weekly from Ocado and the local butcher, carefully meal-planning so it costs £200 a week.

Craig works full-time and I work part-time, but being organised is the key, especially at Christmas.

In fact, I start planning for the following year on Boxing Day, when I buy bargain presents and stash them away.

We’ll also get through 3kg of potatoes and 10 tubs of Quality Street!

Michelle

We put aside money each month during the year, and I keep an eye out for discounted gifts in sales.

I budget for £200 per child, but sometimes pay more for a larger gift, such as a PlayStation, then spend less on the rest.

My children never ask for much and they’re really grateful for anything they receive.

We also give the children £10 before Christmas so they can buy their best friend a gift.

I take great pleasure in watching how thoughtful and considerate they all are.

Christmas Eve is my favourite day, as it’s often the first time we’ve all been at home together in ages.

The older kids are always busy, so it feels really special.

After a breakfast of fruit and toast on Christmas morning, chaos ensues as the kids tear open their presents.

The level of excitement and noise has to be seen to be believed – it’s so loud, you can’t even think, and there’s wrapping paper flying everywhere!

Then, while the children play with their toys and gadgets, I’ll cook a 5kg turkey, a 3kg ham and prepare 2kg of prawns for our starters.

We’ll also get through 3kg of potatoes and 10 tubs of Quality Street!

I serve the food buffet-style, helping the little ones before piling my plate high.

On Boxing Day, I take down the decorations to help restore an element of calm, and begin to hunt for bargains for the following year.

Michelle

Seeing everybody I love gathered together, enjoying my food and each other’s company, is my favourite part of the day.

Afterwards, everybody helps clear up.

We load the dishwasher several times, then we’ll head out for a walk.

By 5pm people are getting hungry again, so I’ll do a buffet of cold meats, cheeses and crackers, then we’ll watch our favourite Christmas film, Home Alone.

When the children are in bed, Craig and I will have a drink together, but I rarely manage to stay awake past 9pm.

On Boxing Day, I take down the decorations to help restore an element of calm, and begin to hunt for bargains for the following year.

Before we know it, Christmas rolls around again – and often there’s another child in tow to add to the mayhem!

Am I planning any more? Never say never!”