Meet the woman for whom it's a Mary Christmas every day (yes, that's her name)

  • Mother-of-two's name causes confusion when ordering a taxi

By Larisa Brown for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:



With a name like Mary Christmas, you'd be forgiven for feeling a bit merry at this time of year.

And mother-of-two Mary, whose name sounds more like a festive greeting, is feeling just that.

For on December 25th and the other 364 days of the year, Mrs Christmas' name is constantly confused with the sounds of yuletide cheer.

Mary Christmas! With a name that sounds like a festive greeting, it would be hard not to feel merry at this time of year

Mary Christmas! With a name that sounds like a festive greeting, it would be hard not to feel merry at this time of year

Mary's name took on the festive twist in 1986 when she married postman Leeroy Christmas.

Mary, from Willoughby, Hull, said: 'When we met people always joked about what would happen if we got married.

'In fact, it was a running joke between Leeroy and his mum that he ought to marry someone called Mary - but I don’t think either of them actually thought it would happen.'

The couple, who met in December, had a whirlwind romance, marrying five months after they met in a nightclub in Hull, and giving birth to their daughter on Boxing Day.

Mary said: 'When I gave birth to my daughter, Eloise, the midwives asked me if I’d call her Mary. I said no very quickly.

'And my son, James, says he’ll never marry someone called Mary.'

But having Mary Christmas as a name as its downsides.

Mary added: 'The amount of prank calls we used to get was ridiculous.

Mr and Mrs Christmas: Pictured together at their family home with their marriage certificate feeling Christmassy

Mr and Mrs Christmas: Pictured together at their family home with their marriage certificate feeling Christmassy

Mary and husband Leeroys wedding certificate showing they really do both have Christmas as their surname

Mary and husband Leeroys wedding certificate showing they really do both have Christmas as their surname

'We’d have people ringing up and asking if they could speak to Father Christmas. I’d always say you’ve just missed him - he’s gone out with the reindeers.

'It was funny a first but we had to ask BT to bar any incoming withheld numbers in the end, we just got so many.'

'When you try and book a taxi people just think you’re joking, so I have to use my maiden name instead.

'I’ve booked them before and they just don’t turn up. Then, when I ring to complain, they assume I’m a prank caller.

'It’s the same with restaurant reservations. They just don’t believe me if I ask for a table for two for Mary Christmas.'

A happy photograph of Mary and her husband Leeroy Christmas
A happy photograph of Mary and her husband Leeroy Christmas

The couple, pictured, feel festive all year round with their surname - not just on Christmas Day

Mary and husband Leeroy on their wedding day in 1986. They married five months after they met in a nightclub

Mary and husband Leeroy on their wedding day in 1986. They married five months after they met in a nightclub

She said she had also experienced many embarrassing situations, adding: 'I went to the Hull Royal Infirmary once for a hospital appointment and it was absolutely packed.

'I asked the receptionist if she could not say my full name when it was my turn to go in, because I know what people are like when they hear it, but she went and said it anyway.

'Everybody burst out laughing. I was so embarrassed - I just made a beeline for the door.'

But despite the jokes Mary does not let her festive name get her down.

She said: 'People ask me all the time whether my name bothers me but I love it. Everyone loves Christmas, so it puts a smile on your face.

'What with all the anniversaries and birthdays my family has at this time of year, it’s a really special time for me - my name just makes it even better.

'This year is going to be extra special because I’ve just become a nana for the first time, it’s going to be a fantastic Christmas.'

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