And what's the deal with filling stockings with small gifts?

A Napton woman has the answers - and she has now shared them in her first book, Christmas is Coming.

Not only has Monica Evans spent the past 15 years researching and compiling the work, she has also illustrated it herself and designed the cover.

And that's on top of juggling her many careers as freelance lecturer on folklore and horticulture, teacher, actress, artist and poet.

The Howcombe Lane resident, who is in her 70s, said: "I have a great love of history and our British traditions and have given talks to all sorts of organisations.

"You name it, I have done it.

"People have always asked me why I haven't written a book, so I thought it was about time I did."

The book focuses on British traditions, customs and stories surrounding Christmas and New Year - a particular specialism of Mrs Evans'.

Although she has spent most of her life in Warwickshire, Mrs Evans has also lived in Turkey and America and travelled extensively.

She was this year's runner-up in the search for Warwick Poet Laureate and has appeared on radio and television to speak about Yuletide traditions.

Mrs Evans names Sebastian Faulks, Kate Mosse and Thomas Hardy as among her favourite writers, but she said: "I don't think I will start writing fiction - my main interest is poetry."

Christmas is Coming is available to buy from Warwick Books in Market Place, Warwick, Kenilworth Books in Talisman Square, Kenilworth, and Present Days in Swan Street, Warwick.

The book can also be ordered from Waterstones or by contacting Mrs Evans on 813622.