Somizi mans Christmas fire for 120 of his closest family

It's going to be a white Christmas for some celebrities, despite our hot summer.

Songstress LeAnne Dlamini has asked her Christmas lunch guests to wear white.

She has already hosted a Christmas dinner for her End Girl Hate initiative and will have nine of her relatives to lunch on Christmas Day at her villa in Zimbali on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

"Every year I set a colour theme. This year we're doing all white at the beach. It's Christmas and you have to look fab," she said.

Idols judge and entertainer Somizi Mhlongo also opted for a white-themed Christmas lunch. Unlike Dlamini and her clan, the Mhlongos are taking a more whimsical approach. Mhlongo asked everyone to wear white T-shirts with denim dungarees.

His lunch will be at his grandmother's house in Soweto, Johannesburg, with 120 of his immediate family.

"I'm big on Christmas, especially because I'm a December baby. When it's Christmas I make sure I pull out all the stops.

"For me Christmas is about creating memories and traditions. Growing up we never had these things, so now I make sure that we do. I promised myself that I would make Christmas a big thing," Mhlongo said.

It wouldn't be Christmas if there wasn't a little overindulgence.

TV personality Basetsana Kumalo will start cooking on Christmas Eve. Aside from preparing the meat and vegetables, she also bakes cookies and enjoys the aroma of freshly baked goods.

While she will not have a dress code for guests, her pièce de résistance will be the table decor. This year she has opted for white, red and silver as the theme for the table setting. She will be hosting 30 people at her home and will be "taking out my best china".

She said: "Over the years, we've always tried to create a tradition with the kids. We live such busy lives; Christmas is a time when we can come together and reconnect as a family. I just love Christmas."

Mhlongo, whose home already resembles Santa Claus's mansion with all the trimmings, is responsible for all decor and food at his family lunch. He will be cooking on an open fire and his speciality will be his chilli lamb shanks, which he said were so good "they could win the world cup".

Food, decor and gifts aside, for Dlamini, Mhlongo and Kumalo Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.

WHAT SOME CELEBS WILL BE EATING ON MONDAY

LeAnne Dlamini

• Lamb curry

• Gammon

• Prawns and a variety of other seafood

• Macaroni and cheese

• Trifle

• Chocolate mousse

Somizi Mhlongo

• Lamb shanks with a chilli mash

Basetsana Kumalo

• Asparagus rolled in Parma ham

• Stuffed turkey

• Oxtail

• Stuffed salmon

• Roast leg of lamb

• Dumplings

• Roast sweet potato with fresh rosemary from her garden

• Butternut

• Caprese salad

• Beetroot salad

• Potato bake

• Lemon cake