Having one child born on Christmas Day is a wonderful gift, so Kimberley and Lee Simmonds must be extra lucky – they have two.
Daughter Scarlet was among the dozen babies born yesterday morning in the maternity units of Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital.
Scarlet followed in the footsteps of sister Grace, who was born on the same day in 2009.
"I could not believe it," said mum Kimberley, 29.
"Grace was born on Christmas Day three years ago. Now Scarlet has decided to arrive three days early.
"She is wonderful and was born at 7.17am, weighing 6lb 13oz."
Lee, 37, said the family's home in Thorpe Astley would be having two double celebrations at Christmas from now on.
He said: "Grace also has a birthday celebration at the end of November, so she doesn't miss out, and Scarlet will have one, too."
The beautiful babies started weighing in at just after 2am.
Sophie Hewitt, 22, gave birth to a son at 11.33am, with partner Scott Williams close at hand.
Speaking a few minutes after giving birth, Sophie, who lives in Little Bowden, near Market Harborough, said: "It's amazing.
"We have no name yet or weight. I am so happy."
Sarah Brice, 34, gave birth to Anna Sophie, weighing 8lb 7.5oz, at 8.03am.
Sarah, who lives with husband Jon in Coalville, said: "It is the best Christmas present ever. It is absolutely wonderful.
"Our daughter Anna Sophie is a delight."
Beata Nowicka, 28, who lives off Fosse Road South, in Leicester, gave birth to a boy, Gabriel, at 3.33am. He weighed 5lb 8oz and was nearly three weeks early.
Beata said: "It is lovely to have a baby on Christmas Day.
"My mother is over from Poland to help us celebrate."
Angie and Brendan White, of Fosse Road North, Leicester, celebrated the arrival of son Zac, who was due on December 22.
Angie, 35, said: "Zac is my fourth child and giving birth on Christmas Day is certainly different."
Fyona Pereira, 29, and husband Darick, 38, welcomed their first child, Eviana, into the world at 9.03am, weighing 6lb1oz.
Fyona, who lives off Uppingham Road, in Leicester, said: "It is very good to have a baby on Christmas Day."
A family member at the hospital said: "It is a very special Christmas for us."
