Having switched the sunshine of LA for London's unpredictable weather when she joined Chelsea this summer, Alyssa Thompson is experiencing the build-up to Christmas differently this year.

The pacy forward sat down with us to talk about her festive traditions, both old and new.

What are your first memories of Christmas?

I just remember everyone coming over to my house for Christmas. We usually host Christmas Eve, and a lot of my family lives in LA, so it was great to have everyone there, and we'd play games a lot. My family is super competitive, so we would do boys versus girls and then play a bunch of different games.

What is the first Christmas gift you remember receiving?

I think a Littlest Pet Shop.

What was the first thing you would do when you woke up on Christmas morning?

I shared a room with my sister, so we'd wake up really early and try to wake our parents up because we really wanted to open presents. I feel like that was every year. We try to stay up to see if we saw Santa. Then we'd fall asleep eventually and wake up really early.

What does Christmas Day look like to you now?

It's kind of the same, but I'm definitely not as excited. Not waking up super early, but we still put presents under the Christmas tree, and we open the ones from each other. Then we usually go over to my aunt's house and open presents with my little cousins, and they are really excited about it, and they wait for us to open their presents. So it's really nice.

What is one American tradition you think we should adopt in England?

At least in LA, Christmas is not like it is here. Like, I feel like England or London does Christmas better than LA. In terms of the markets and the lights. It's all so pretty. But it's just different because it's not as cold in LA. It's a different vibe.

Is there a particular Christmas Day you remember growing up?

I guess from when I was about eight, probably until 11, me and my sisters would get really excited to go and open our presents.

Have you had an English Christmas dinner?

No. I haven't had any English food yet!

Do you own a Christmas jumper?

I actually recently got one, but it's kind of ugly because I bought it online and it's not how I thought it would look, so I'm probably gonna wear it for the Ugly Christmas Jumper Day!

What do you hope for this Christmas?

Just being with my family in the warmth of LA and seeing my sisters because I miss them a lot.

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