We’ve turned our out-of-office messages on and we are ready to kick back.

Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. It isn’t the gaudy trees or the baubles or all the strong drinks and vast multi-course meals. It is the sitting down. The lounging on the couch filled with the delicious sensation of knowing that you can do absolutely nothing and it is absolutely fine. It is the only time of the year when doing nothing is encouraged, almost compulsory, in fact. And what is even better is that it’s the only time of the year when everyone has at least some time off. And despite MR PORTER being fully functional over the festive period, we do of course allow our staff some time off. Here we take you into their homes to see how they will be spending their festive downtime, pyjamas and all.

Talk me through a typical day for you over Christmas…

In a word: gluttonous. Also with Mario Kart. My brother and I have a competition every Christmas: best of a hundred or so. He’s been on a roll for the past seven years, but this is my time – I can feel it. The inevitable post-tournament argument provides a nice bit of quiet time, too.

What will you be wearing?

I’m a big fan of both Aries and Kapital, and also of being extremely comfortable, so this outfit was an absolute no-brainer. I honestly can’t express how soft the cotton terry of the sweatshirt and sweatpants are. The big smiley face on the socks also come in useful for providing a bit of Christmas morning jolliness that perhaps doesn’t come naturally to me at that hour of the day (well, not before the traditional breakfast bubbles, at least).

How long have you lived in your current house?

It’s a shared house in Hackney. I really like that there is a bit of history about it, that it isn’t just brand new. Well, that and the fact it’s 30 seconds from two really decent pubs.

How would describe the decor in your house in a sentence or two?

A few really decent photographers have lived in the house over the years, so there are some great prints on the walls, which always helps tie a room together.

What would you like a guest, who you didn’t know well, to think of it?

That they’re in no rush to leave, and that they want to come back. It’s arguably not the most manicured of houses, but it’s a very pleasant place to be. Plus, the neighbours don’t seem to mind a bunch of people dancing to an “eclectic” mix of music at 4.00am on a Saturday, either.

If a stranger was staying in your house, do you think it would give people a good sense of you?

Possibly; it’s surprisingly old and a bit dishevelled.

How long have you lived in your current house?

I originally bought this flat in Finsbury Park with my brother Oliver, about nine years ago. He moved out when he got married so I bought him out. They don’t live far now, which is nice, especially as I now have a nephew. It is a really convenient area for me, not that far from the centre of town and it only takes me half an hour to get to the office.

We can see some street art in your picture. Do you collect it?

I worked at Thames & Hudson for 10 years as a picture researcher and one of the books I worked on quite early on was about street art. That is when I got familiar with graffiti art – Banksy, Adam Neate, Ben Eine. You could pick up street art cheaply then; a Banksy from Pictures On Walls was about £35. They didn’t fly off the walls then, you could go have a look, consider it and then go back and buy it later. I wish I had bought more!

Talk me through Christmas Day this year for you…

Christmas is my favourite time of year, especially the food. We all enjoy cooking, so Christmas dinner is a team effort. Over the years we’ve perfected our designated roles – my dad is in charge of the turkey (who else wants to get up at 6.00am); Oliver’s on the roast potatoes; mum has already made the cake and I’ve perfected the gravy. We basically spend the whole day alternating between eating and opening presents.

How do you like to dress over Christmas?

I hate getting dressed up on Christmas Day, but I do always treat myself to a new pair of fancy pyjamas. I like what I am wearing here, I love the cosy cashmere pants; basically I want to be as comfy as possible.

What’s a perfect day out of the office for you?

At this time of year, after a few days in my fancy pyjamas and eating far too much, I really enjoy getting out into the fresh air for a long walk with the family. We always seem to find our way to the local pub for yet more food and drink.

What is a typical day for you over Christmas?

A typical and ideal day for me over the Christmas period involves me lying down. On a sofa. Ideally covered in a blanket. Possibly with some sort of alcoholic drink fairly close by. Not brandy, though, as that gives me a headache. Which is a shame as the book I intend to read is Mr Roy Jenkins’ biography of Churchill and Churchill liked brandy at all times of the day. Good on him.

Talk me through what you are wearing….

I like to think this makes me look like some late-1990s cardinal having a breather at the weekend. The Versace dressing gown makes it, of course. It is very “Vatican at Christmas”. The gold, the deep blue – it is a wonder. And the silk pyjamas feel like you are wearing expensive air.

How long have you lived in your current house?

About four years. In which time it has been a number of different colours. This dark blue is a relatively new innovation. I wanted it in gloss blue, but was overruled. It is my ambition to make that gloss blue happen this next year. It’s an old factory that was converted in Hackney, so there is lots of light – I think it would look cool. Plus, there is a neon light there that would make it shimmer, which would please me.

What would you like someone who visited your house to think?

That the person who lives in it is not boring. I am halfway there, but will not be fully there until the walls are glossy.

What will you be doing on Christmas Day?

I will be eating vast quantities of food and also falling asleep at random times in the presence of my family. This seems like a nice way to spend a day.

What will you be doing this Christmas?

I will wake up here in London, as I am working in the office on Christmas Eve, have an early breakfast with some of my extended family in town, then drive up to our house in Suffolk, where my husband and myself are hosting a late Christmas Day lunch for 10 more members of our family, including my sons. The day will finish with some games, rubbish TV, and the kids watching YouTube videos on their phones.

How do you spend the holidays?

I totally collapse. The lead up to Christmas is manic. There is something going on every day and evening for the three weeks beforehand – most of my family have birthdays at this time, too. Boxing Day is my favourite day as then the holiday properly starts. I then count down to the day when the Christmas decorations can come down. I hate Christmas decorations. They look messy.

How long have you lived in your current house?

We’ve lived here for about two years and we still haven’t finished doing it up. It belongs to my sister and me. When I moved to the country, I needed a place to lay my head in as I have work events most evenings and breakfast meetings most mornings and so couldn’t commute from Suffolk daily. My sister was looking for somewhere in town at the same time, so we pooled resources and bought this flat in Kilburn together.

What can we see in the picture of you?

There’s an oil painting on the left that my mum gave to my sister for her birthday, two mixed-media figurative paintings that my grandparents gave me when I passed my school exams, an old Dior menswear show invite I had framed, a collection of framed shells that my sister made, and a picture of a costumed gentleman I found in a Parisian flea market. The walls are painted Edward Bulmer Invisible Green. It’s an amazing colour. If not remotely invisible.

Do you think your house gives a good sense of you?

It would give a sense of our rather bohemian family background, I think – mostly playwrights, actresses, artists and animal conservationists. The decor gives more a sense of my sister than me. She is quite bohemian and loves clashing colours and collecting unexpected things.

Talk me through what you are wearing…

A soft pale-pink cashmere sweater from Berluti. It’s so comfortable, easy to wear and makes you sigh with happiness as soon as you pull it on. My go-to off-duty pair of grey sweatpants from The Row and white sneakers. No-thought, sofa-friendly dressing.

Describe yourself in the picture in a sentence?

Looking unfeasibly happy considering I’m not a big fan of the festive season

Talk me through Christmas Day at your house this year…

London between Christmas and New Year’s Eve is a totally different city. So many people seem to leave, and the city slows down. I struggle to sit still, though, and so this year I am cooking for some friends at my house on Christmas Day. With my family spread between India, Portugal and Pakistan this year, Christmas Day at home is definitely going to be quite different to when I was younger. The first thing I’ll do this year is have a pot of tea from my mother’s crop and then, when the cooking is done, I will wrap up warm and go and for a walk on the Thames near my house. Then it’s home to light a fire and have some drinks and exchange gifts.

Tell me about your outfit here…

I am very particular about fabrics and the cable-knit jumper is such a perfectly soft, warm blend of cashmere and merino wool that you could wear it on your bare skin. The red is totally classic and goes well with the more muted sweatpants which are the ideal cut for lounging around at home. Basically, it’s the perfect loungewear.

Describe yourself in the picture in one sentence?

Enjoying the Christmas chill and expectantly awaiting my next present.

Shop all pyjamas and loungewear here