As you read this, Jacqueline Fernandez will be laying out a table for a lavish Christmas brunch at home in Sri Lanka. The former beauty queen had planned to bring in the festival with her family in Mumbai, but landed an opportunity to get back home instead. Before she could jet-set, she made time for a quick chat with BT. Excerpts:

You're home for Christmas. Weren't you planning to bring your family down to Mumbai?
Yes, I was but circumstances changed everything. Now, I am celebrating the festival at home with my parents and brothers. I never leave my parents alone because we know what a full house we had on Christmas when we were younger. My siblings now live abroad and I live in Mumbai, so my parents live alone in Sri Lanka. It's something I never want my parents to go through on a festival. We're trying to go back to what it used to be: a big, full and happy house. My brother and I are the only ones who haven't added a member to the family yet.

When do you plan to do that?
It'll happen when it's meant to happen. You can't put a time frame on it, right? It's a different time for me. The focus is different. It doesn't seem possible just now, but hopefully it will happen soon.

Tell us about your earliest memory of Christmas.
I must have been five or six.Our parents placed lots of presents under the tree. That year, I remember my mum took me out under the pretext to buy something.Maybe it was on purpose, which I realise now because we went to a toy store. I was sold off on a doll. I told her, 'Mom, it's already a day before Christmas and I think it's late for Santa to get me this.' I was so upset. When we returned from the mass, and I opened the last remaining present, it was the doll I loved. I couldn't believe it. I felt my Santa was cool and quick. When I think of it, I realise nothing beats the lengths parents go for their kids.

Have you ever spent Christmas alone?
I've never had to spend my Christmas alone. It would be too sad for me. No matter what, our culture doesn't allow it. You can't be without friends, family and cheer around you. It would be so depressing. I can't even dare attempt it.

When did you stop believing in the concept of Santa Claus?
When you are in class six or seven, and you are ready to be a cool teenager, I guess that is the time when you are trying to get rid of the childlike innocence and are desperate to grow up. That is when you grow out of that Santa Claus story. But till that age, I remember I used to be obsessed with Santa, I was bonkers over him.

What did you look for ward to as a teenager? Dressing up and going to Christmas parties?
Midnight mass! No one goes to school at that hour, right? And our school hosted the big midnight mass, which children from other schools also attended. It was a cool place to be. We'd all make new friends, wear our own clothes and not uniforms, and then, offer prayers. Doing something spiritual should never be remorseful. Our party would start right there. I was a goofy kid. My sister was the cool one, she was always well-dressed and with her hair well-styled. I always tried to be her. I was never the prettier one. I could never replicate my sister completely. At the same time, I enjoyed being with my brothers and running around. I was never the prim and proper girl.

Wouldn't you like to throw a bash for your friends in Bollywood?
I really want to, and I was planning to do it this year. It changed because the plan didn't pan out as I had thought. I am definitely hosting a bash next year. This year, I sent out hampers to everyone to spread cheer.

Have you ever played Secret Santa?
We played it last year with the Housefull 3 gang. But the boys (Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan) didn't cooperate. They got us those fake thermocol gifts that we hang on our trees. They're so mean (laughs). Nargis (Fakhri), Lisa (Haydon) and I exchanged presents. This was my first Secret was my first Secret Santa game with colleagues.

Who do you want as your Santa from Bollywood?
I would like Karan Johar to be my Santa, he is very generous. I have seen his gifts. His hampers have a lot to offer. As for presents, I'd ask for solitaire diamond earrings, a limited latest edition bag and a painting. He's never getting me the painting but I wish he reads this interview.

Anyone in Bollywood you want to play a Santa to?
You know, if I became Santa, I would gift everyone I have worked with.

Salman Khan included?
Of course, I would gift him too. I think I'd present him a cool set of brushes for his paintings because at heart he's a simple guy. Salman is also very generous, so I'd contribute to his charity. I think he would appreciate that.

If you could have one person gift-wrapped for yourself for Christmas, who would that be?
I'd love Leonardo DiCaprio gift-wrapped for Christmas. I have grown up on his movies and I always thought he is very cool. I only hope that when I open the wrapper, he doesn't run away . The rest depends on whether he is there by will or choice.

And if you could wrap yourself and parcel to someone, you would...
I would send myself off to the Kardarshians. I would love to spend Christmas with them. They seem like an entertaining bunch.