Maisy & Friend
UO Creative Marketing Team
Maisy and her friend Elli talk us through their Christmas Day, ★spoiler alert★ it involves Strictly.
What does ‘family’ mean to you?
Maisy: The people that you feel at home with and 100% yourself with, not necessarily blood, but the comfort of being in that relationship.
Elli: The people you look to for support no matter what ridiculous thing you’ve done.
Christmas day routine:
M: We spent last Christmas together... I cried after I’d made dinner. I made dinner, sat down at the dining table and burst into tears. GREAT Christmas though.
Usually, we wake up and do presents - that normally takes quite a while. We get ready, get dressed and make a roast dinner. In the afternoon, we watch the Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
E: As a new tradition, I’ve started painting pictures of Maisy’s cat, Zeus, every Christmas to plot his aging. I’ve been painting him like a regal monarch from Henry VIII times. The canvas gets bigger every year.
Sum up your (chosen) family in 3 words…
M: Chaotic, strong, legendary.
E: Hilarious, supportive, stupid.
Meet The Chosen Families
Introducing the families who bring UO to life. From marketing to menswear and everyone in-between, meet our IRL teams and the people they’d be lost without. This festive season, we’re going big by reuniting with the people we actually want to spend time with and celebrating with the people we relate to, even if we’re not related.
Josh & Boyfriend
UO Womenswear Team
Josh & his boyfriend Nas chat all-things family. Even their cat, Kovi chimes in…
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Josh: This is the first Christmas we’re spending together cat meows, so that will be new and we’ll have to see what our new tradition will be…
Christmas day routine:
Nas: I’m from Bulgaria and our tradition is that we have the big dinner on Christmas Eve and we either open presents at midnight or wait until the morning. We wake up early and open presents. On Christmas we have a lunch with meat, but on Christmas Eve we have 7 different dishes on the table that are vegan. 40 days before Christmas you don’t eat animal products and on Christmas you can.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
J: We’re Nas and Josh, and of course Kovi. We’re going to merge our cultures. Plus, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Kovi.
And then Kovi decided to steal the spotlight…
UO Womenswear Team
Josh & his boyfriend Nas chat all-things family. Even their cat, Kovi chimes in…
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Josh: This is the first Christmas we’re spending together cat meows, so that will be new and we’ll have to see what our new tradition will be…
Christmas day routine:
Nas: I’m from Bulgaria and our tradition is that we have the big dinner on Christmas Eve and we either open presents at midnight or wait until the morning. We wake up early and open presents. On Christmas we have a lunch with meat, but on Christmas Eve we have 7 different dishes on the table that are vegan. 40 days before Christmas you don’t eat animal products and on Christmas you can.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
J: We’re Nas and Josh, and of course Kovi. We’re going to merge our cultures. Plus, it wouldn’t be Christmas without Kovi.
And then Kovi decided to steal the spotlight…
Hannah, Maisey & Chloé
UO Creative Marketing Team
A team of content angels, tasked by UO to make this Christmas iconic.
Sum up your (chosen) family in 3 words…
Chloe: Juicy content angels
Our Christmas will be unique because…
Hannah: We've got santa on speed dial.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without...
Maisey: A velour Juicy Couture tracksuit to lounge about in all day.
UO Creative Marketing Team
A team of content angels, tasked by UO to make this Christmas iconic.
Sum up your (chosen) family in 3 words…
Chloe: Juicy content angels
Our Christmas will be unique because…
Hannah: We've got santa on speed dial.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without...
Maisey: A velour Juicy Couture tracksuit to lounge about in all day.
Alissa & Housemates
UO Graphics Team
Alissa describes her fun Christmas with her housemates Ellen, Luis and Callista.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Alissa: Got to get a family photo in front of the cheap, classic Christmas tree.
Ellen: Order most of the Christmas meal on Deliveroo.
Callista: Play that game that I’m really bad at...SCATTERGORIES.
Luis: Infinite board games.
Christmas day routine:
A: Start the day with salmon and cream cheese bagel.
E: Open presents round the tree with Buck’s Fizz.
C: I have Christmas dinner around 2pm…well we say this, but it ends up being 6pm.
L: We still have stockings even though we’re 25, and we open those on mum and dad’s bed.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without... A: Roast potatoes, stuffing and a light-up Christmas jumper.
UO Graphics Team
Alissa describes her fun Christmas with her housemates Ellen, Luis and Callista.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Alissa: Got to get a family photo in front of the cheap, classic Christmas tree.
Ellen: Order most of the Christmas meal on Deliveroo.
Callista: Play that game that I’m really bad at...SCATTERGORIES.
Luis: Infinite board games.
Christmas day routine:
A: Start the day with salmon and cream cheese bagel.
E: Open presents round the tree with Buck’s Fizz.
C: I have Christmas dinner around 2pm…well we say this, but it ends up being 6pm.
L: We still have stockings even though we’re 25, and we open those on mum and dad’s bed.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without... A: Roast potatoes, stuffing and a light-up Christmas jumper.
Gracie’s Family
UO Bath Store
Gracie talks cuddle puddles with her sister Ellie and their boyfriends Lorenzo and Anthinell.
What does ‘family’ mean to you?
Gracie: Being able to nap without judgement and having a cuddle puddle with your family all on the floor, snuggled in your blankets and new pjs.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a barmy - what do you argue about?
G: When you finally all sit down to open presents and your mum goes wait I haven’t got my coffee. SO annoying.
E: When my sister gets the present I wanted.
G: Our birthdays and Christmas are at the same time so we’d always get the same present but a different colour.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
G: We ate on our laps on the floor last year, so hopefully this year as a new tradition, we’ll actually sit at a table.
A: Me and Lorenzo will be joining. I hope their dog doesn’t spill red wine on my clothes.
UO Bath Store
Gracie talks cuddle puddles with her sister Ellie and their boyfriends Lorenzo and Anthinell.
What does ‘family’ mean to you?
Gracie: Being able to nap without judgement and having a cuddle puddle with your family all on the floor, snuggled in your blankets and new pjs.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a barmy - what do you argue about?
G: When you finally all sit down to open presents and your mum goes wait I haven’t got my coffee. SO annoying.
E: When my sister gets the present I wanted.
G: Our birthdays and Christmas are at the same time so we’d always get the same present but a different colour.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
G: We ate on our laps on the floor last year, so hopefully this year as a new tradition, we’ll actually sit at a table.
A: Me and Lorenzo will be joining. I hope their dog doesn’t spill red wine on my clothes.
Memlla & Siblings
UO Web Team
Memlla and her siblings, remind us that Christmas isn’t Christmas without something going wrong…plus Diego the dog gets involved too.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Memlla: We all open one present on Christmas Eve.
Sum up your (chosen) family in 3 words…
M: Loud, annoying, caring.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without… M: Something going wrong. One person is always upset with their presents because someone got more.
Then Diego the dog got involved...
What are you most likely to steal from the dinner table?
Turkey.
Whose present will you chew first?
Memlla.
UO Web Team
Memlla and her siblings, remind us that Christmas isn’t Christmas without something going wrong…plus Diego the dog gets involved too.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Memlla: We all open one present on Christmas Eve.
Sum up your (chosen) family in 3 words…
M: Loud, annoying, caring.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without… M: Something going wrong. One person is always upset with their presents because someone got more.
Then Diego the dog got involved...
What are you most likely to steal from the dinner table?
Turkey.
Whose present will you chew first?
Memlla.
Marcel & Ripley
UO Head Office Dogs
Whose present will you chew first?
Marcel: Anything with a book. Last Christmas they left me at home while they did some Christmas shopping and I stole a present from under the tree. When they got home the living room was covered in the book’s pages…
Ripley: Rudolph’s carrots, I can’t wait til the morning.
What’s on your Christmas wish list?
M: iets frans.. puffer coat to keep me warm on that Christmas Day walk.
R: Also the new iets frans... puffer, to die for.
UO Head Office Dogs
Whose present will you chew first?
Marcel: Anything with a book. Last Christmas they left me at home while they did some Christmas shopping and I stole a present from under the tree. When they got home the living room was covered in the book’s pages…
Ripley: Rudolph’s carrots, I can’t wait til the morning.
What’s on your Christmas wish list?
M: iets frans.. puffer coat to keep me warm on that Christmas Day walk.
R: Also the new iets frans... puffer, to die for.
Ken & Mary Ann
UO Finance & Creative Teams
Our resident lovebirds Ken and Mary Ann share their Christmas Day barmys with us.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this festive season…
Ken: Mary Ann is trying to organise a charity gift wrapping event this season.
Mary Ann: Ken is pondering, what his “every-year, one new dish for dinner” will be…any idea’s let him know!
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a barmy - what do you argue about?
K: The dinner - Mary Ann eats a bunch of starters as she is so hungry, which starts an argument when I finally plate the dinner (as she’s full).
M: During presents - there is always an argument here, as we both love to give gifts, but aren’t the best when it comes to receiving gifts…think deadpan faces and blank expressions.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without...
M: Watching Love Actually during the season, a family trip to Borough Market and Ken’s Excel document of cooking times and when each dish has to go in the oven.
UO Finance & Creative Teams
Our resident lovebirds Ken and Mary Ann share their Christmas Day barmys with us.
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this festive season…
Ken: Mary Ann is trying to organise a charity gift wrapping event this season.
Mary Ann: Ken is pondering, what his “every-year, one new dish for dinner” will be…any idea’s let him know!
Christmas isn’t Christmas without a barmy - what do you argue about?
K: The dinner - Mary Ann eats a bunch of starters as she is so hungry, which starts an argument when I finally plate the dinner (as she’s full).
M: During presents - there is always an argument here, as we both love to give gifts, but aren’t the best when it comes to receiving gifts…think deadpan faces and blank expressions.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without...
M: Watching Love Actually during the season, a family trip to Borough Market and Ken’s Excel document of cooking times and when each dish has to go in the oven.
Davinya & Boyfriend
UO White City Westfield Store
Davinya and her boyfriend, Loui, tell us about their plant-based dinner they have planned...
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Davinya: Well, I've recently become vegan so I will definitely be experimenting with tossing up a beautiful vegan spread! Loui: We will be planning new plant-based ways to enjoy Christmas dinner.
What does ‘family’ mean to you?
Both: Unconditional love & support through thick & thin.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
D: We will be experimenting with new foods.
L: We are going for a new exciting menu this year!
UO White City Westfield Store
Davinya and her boyfriend, Loui, tell us about their plant-based dinner they have planned...
Tell us a new or weird tradition you’re bringing to the table this Christmas.
Davinya: Well, I've recently become vegan so I will definitely be experimenting with tossing up a beautiful vegan spread! Loui: We will be planning new plant-based ways to enjoy Christmas dinner.
What does ‘family’ mean to you?
Both: Unconditional love & support through thick & thin.
Our Christmas will be unique because…
D: We will be experimenting with new foods.
L: We are going for a new exciting menu this year!