Ariana Grande: Xmas is about family

Ariana Grande finds it "fascinating" to watch her grandmother cook at Christmas.

The US singer has had an extremely busy year promoting her songs around the world as well as collaborating on hit track Bang Bang with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj. But the 21-year-old will have the chance to rest up over the holiday season and spend time with her nearest and dearest.

"I do get a little bit of time off to be with my family, which I'm definitely looking forward to," she told Very magazine before revealing her favourite Christmas tradition. "Just watching my Nonna cook is always fascinating. I can't eat any of the things that she prepares any more because I'm vegan. But I love being in the kitchen just watching her be her, in her element. It's so beautiful."

Ariana regularly takes to social media sites like Twitter to share photos of her family and friends with her fans. And she admits that close relationships help her stay grounded in the crazy world of showbusiness.

"I think that if I didn't have the relationship with my family and friends that I do, and it they weren't such a priority to me and they didn't make me such a priority to them - which I'm extremely grateful to them for - I don't know if I'd be able to handle everything as well as I feel like I am doing," she confessed.

As well as working with Nicki and British singer Jessie, Ariana also recorded her hit single Problem with Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. The brunette beauty got along well with all three women, but doesn't get to spend that much time with them outside of their performances.

"I love those girls but all of us are so busy that usually we only see each other in a work scenario," she admitted. "I really just keep it chilled with my family and my friends that I've known for so long."