Family members giving and receiving (the remote control). Children with faces aglow (from the screen). Everyone gathering around the tree (to face the other way, towards the television). Yes, the true spirit of Christmas is TV-shaped. Hence our gift to you – not bath salts or novelty socks but an hour-by-hour planner, taking you from breakfast right through until bedtime.
Early risers should start the day with a repeat. Well, what could be more Christmassy? At 8.45am, BBC Two reruns last night’s atmospheric Carols From King’s. Let the angel-voiced Cambridge choir soundtrack your gift-opening and veg-peeling.
The carolling continues with Christmas Day Service, live from Coventry Cathedral (BBC One, 10am). After such a shamelessly festive morning, switch to Talking Pictures TV at 12.45pm to savour Alistair Sim’s definitive turn as Scrooge. A spot of vintage bah-humbugging and it’s time for lunch.
After crackers have been pulled and plum pudding eaten, indulge your inner child – and keep any small guests mercifully quiet for half-an-hour – with Superworm (BBC One, 2.30pm). The latest annual adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved picture books is voiced by a starry cast, led by Olivia Colman. Superworm himself bears an uncanny resemblance to Dominic Cummings but don’t let that put you off.
Ensure everyone is fed, watered and upstanding in time for The Queen’s Christmas Broadcast, at 3pm on BBC One and ITV. This landmark speech is the first since the death of Prince Philip, the longest-serving royal consort in history. Stiff upper lips might wobble slightly, so keep those new monogrammed hankies to hand.
