Mariah Carey believes she is an easy person to buy Christmas presents for

Asked if she thinks she is an easy person to buy a gift for, she told Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2: " I think so because it's really the thought that counts. I mean, I know that sounds cliché, but it's true. If somebody takes time out of their day, and goes and gets you something, that's a big deal."

The 55-year-old singer - who has 13-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with ex-husband Nick Cannon - is known as the Queen of Christmas and famously releases a video each year, typically after Halloween, titled 'It's Time', which signifies she is ready to get in the festive spirit.

And Mariah admitted the clips are often a whole year in the making.

She said: "I mean, I start thinking about the next year's one after the current year's comes out. I mean I just love it, I really do, it's so much fun. Honestly, my whole life I've just loved Christmas so much. It's amazing."

The 'Fantasy' hitmaker's festive classic, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' turns 30 this year and Mariah admitted recording the track is still one of the "best moments" of her career.

She said: "I remember being in the studio and I had the studio all decked out in Christmas splendour. And I was there with the background singers doing all those... background parts.

"You know, I just remember that so vividly. I could never have known how far it would go. But, it was an amazing moment, one of the best moments in the studio I have ever had!"

Mariah appeared on the show to reveal she will be making her world exclusive radio presenting debut on the station on Christmas Day (25.12.24) with 'Mariah Carey's Christmas Hour: 30 Years of All I Want For Christmas Is You'. The programme will feature the star's personally-curated playlist of festive classics.

She said: "I can't wait to spend Christmas with you on BBC Radio 2... I hope you are feeling warm and cosy and having your own Holly Jolly Christmas. I would like to thank all of my fans in the UK and around the world for continuing to make special memories with All I Want For Christmas Is You, it really means the world to me."