As the holiday season unfolds, creating a festive and welcoming home is all about blending cherished traditions, thoughtful decor, and personal touches that bring warmth and joy. We spoke with several designers who shared their favorite holiday memories, go-to hostess gifts, Christmas table settings, and the family traditions that make this time of year so meaningful. Their insights, combined with our tips for decorating by color theme and thoughtful gift ideas, offer a well-rounded guide for creating your own magical celebrations.
Kara Cox, Kara Cox Interiors
For Kara Cox, simplicity and family connection define her favorite holiday memory. “When I was a teenager, my family started celebrating Christmas Eve Day with a nice lunch at a restaurant, followed by a holiday movie, church, and a tour of Christmas lights on the way home. It was low-key and stress-free but filled with meaningful time together.”
At her Christmas table, she uses Spode Christmas Rose china, adding an elegant yet festive touch. As a hostess gift, Kara stocks up on beautifully wrapped Nest candles with custom tags, ready to spread holiday cheer.
A family tradition she cherishes is spending the night before Christmas Eve with her brother’s family in Raleigh. “We stay up late playing trivia, singing karaoke, and enjoying my sister-in-law’s gumbo. It’s our favorite night of the year!”
Kelly Caron, Kelly Caron Designs
Kelly Caron’s Christmas table is set with her grandmother’s Imperial by Lenox china (circa 1939), featuring real gold details. “I love a grand-millennial tablescape!” she shares.
Kelly’s favorite hostess gifts? “Beautiful and funny ornaments always do the trick.”
Cooking takes center stage in her family traditions. “I make a fabulous Christmas brunch with four or five different homemade quiches, cheesy grits, and a whole spread. We prioritize experiences over gifts and often travel or do something meaningful as a family.” And, of course, they always watch Christmas Vacation together.
Edith-Anne Duncan, Edith-Anne Duncan Design
For Edith-Anne Duncan, a prime rib Christmas dinner with family holds a special place in her heart. Her table is adorned with Royal Worcester Holly Ribbons china, setting a festive tone.
Her go-to hostess gift is Gris Gris Cocktail Magic, adding a fun twist to holiday entertaining. Family traditions include attending the Blacksburg Christmas parade and tree lighting, a festive community event they never miss.
Rachel Cannon, Rachel Cannon Limited
Rachel Cannon recalls a childhood Christmas shopping trip with her dad that turned into a delightful surprise. “I thought I was shopping for my cousin, but it turns out I was unknowingly picking out my own gifts!”
Her holiday table features Vera Wang Grosgrain china, with a growing collection of Christian Dior Gaudron Malachite pieces for mixing and matching. For hostess gifts, she loves sharing her mom’s peanut butter oatmeal fudge and plans to master her mom’s buttermilk candy recipe this year.
Seafood gumbo is a Christmas meal staple in her Louisiana-based family, making food the centerpiece of their holiday traditions.
Nellie Jane Howard Ossi
A heartwarming memory for Nellie Jane involves a beanie baby surprise from her grandmother, unwrapping 67 of them in a never-ending “pull-me” adventure.
She loves incorporating green cabbage plates with white pierced-rim dishes from her Dillards collection, creating a flexible and festive tablescape.
Her favorite hostess gift is a Calasio wicker and Pyrex casserole dish, paired with a Barefoot Contessa cookbook for an extra-special touch.
Her family’s Christmas traditions include a formal dinner set to Downton Abbey-level perfection, complete with tea lights and floral centerpieces—a labor of love that begins three days in advance.
Carolyn Kendall, Alcott Interiors
London’s Christmas Magic stands out for Carolyn, who recalls a family trip filled with festive window displays, a performance by Teleman, and High Tea at Fortnum & Mason.
Her tablescapes evolve yearly, alternating between traditional reds and greens or shimmering golds and purples.
Carolyn’s go-to hostess gift is a bouquet of fresh flowers, bringing life and beauty to any space.
A cozy Christmas Eve dinner leads into joyful mornings with brunch, gifts, and a heartfelt slideshow of the year’s memories.
Kristen Mullen, Kristen Mullen Designs
Kristen Mullen reflects on an unexpected Christmas spent in the ER with her daughter, turning a challenging night into a celebration of resilience and grace.
Her table is dressed in Arita Tartan china, bringing warmth and tradition. Infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars make thoughtful gifts for food lovers.
A Christmas Eve lasagna, board games, and a dedicated “Darcy-mas” for her daughter ensure a season filled with love and fun.
Ashley Gilbreath, Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design
Nostalgia fills Gilbreath’s heart as she uses her mother’s Spode Christmas Tree china, paired with antique silver chargers and monogrammed linens.
Her favorite gift to give is paperwhites, reminiscent of her father’s holiday plantings.
Christmas Eve brings a reading of the Christmas Story from Luke, followed by a festive night with wassail and storytelling.
Tiffany Hinton, LOLA Interiors
For Tiffany, Christmas is about blending old and new traditions, from stocking stuffers to Hallmark movie marathons with peppermint hot chocolate.
Her table features blue-and-white Currier & Ives dishes mixed with modern accents.
Tiffany loves gifting cookbooks and coffee table books, adding a handwritten note for a personal touch.
Each year, her family embraces a spirit of giving by adopting a local foster child, making generosity the heart of their holiday season.
Architect Studio MV
Spontaneous holiday getaways are a favorite tradition for Architect Studio MV’s family, embracing the joy of surprise trips.
Last Christmas, a green and gold tablescape set a festive, elegant tone.
Luxury gifts like a fine candle paired with Veuve Clicquot make for chic and thoughtful hostess gifts.
Christmas morning is spent in pajamas, with a relaxed brunch and mimosas by the fire.
Cynthia Masters, Panageries
Cynthia Masters fondly remembers her first Christmas as a newlywed, filling her cottage with holiday decor and enjoying quiet evenings by the fire.
Her table features cream and gold Royal Doulton china, mixed with vintage floral bread plates and toile dessert plates.
She gifts vintage embroidered hand towels, collected during her travels.
Christmas morning begins with a leisurely breakfast, followed by a thoughtful gift exchange, savoring each moment.
