12 jobs of Christmas 2013
If it wasn't for posties, there might not be presents under the Christmas tree
Laura Craig, a postwoman in Lancashire, gives a taste of what life is like in a Royal Mail sorting office during the festive period and why glittery pens are pretty but impractical
Branching out: my career growing Christmas trees
Farmer and tree grower Andrew Ingram talks about his career to date and what it takes to grow a festive fir fit for Downing Street
My career cooking up the perfect Christmas menu
Chef Michael MacDonald explains how he fell into his career and why most people prefer to go traditional with festive menus
A window into retail: my career designing Christmas displays
Kim Morris, head of retail design at John Lewis, shares insights into what it takes to create Christmas window displays
Christmas party planners get all the yuletide gossip
Justin Sayers, manager of a party planning company, has carved a career out of planning parties for companies. He explains exactly what it takes to make sure everything runs smoothly
10 days of rehearsals, two ugly sisters, one Christmas panto
After months of acting in the West End, ending the year having banter with ugly sisters in Cinderella is a welcome relief, says Jonathan Stewart
'Farming is quite an unusual profession for young people'
Young farmer Jonathan Skinner gives an insight into his career as a turkey farmer – raising 30,000 birds for major supermarkets
Being a vicar at Christmas isn't all about prayers
Christmas has become more commercialised, but people still value vicars' work, says Canon Chris Chivers of John Keble church in London
Designing Christmas chocolates 365 days of the year
Christmas never grows old for Emma Clarke, who develops festive chocolates for Thorntons
Lighting up Oxford Street: Christmas decorating is a serious business
Project manager Robert Hibbert shares his insights on the planning, management and implementation of the 'mammoth' task
Christmas is a time when people get together, but for us it's a departure
As his university friends head home for Christmas, Pat Dunachie stays in Cambridge to rehearse with Kings' College Choir for the famous carol service, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
The working life of Father Christmas: 'adults hug me and burst into tears'
Think it's just a job for Christmas? You're wrong. Professional Santa, Nigel Harvey, explains why it's the best part an actor can play
