To us, the holidays aren’t the holidays without tradition — whether it’s making new ones, or repeating old ones. We love that Camille Styles embraces both in her book, Camille Styles Entertaining. It’s this reason among many others that we’ve chosen this talented gal as our Designer Spotlight for the month of December.
Make sure to take a look at Camille’s amazing ideas on PotteryBarn.com, and read the rest of her holiday traditions and favorites, below.
Plus, check out more of Camille’s great tips and tricks here and here.
What new traditions (if any) are you looking forward to this year?
This Thanksgiving, I’m starting a new tradition that I’m calling “Gratitude Cards” to set aside a time when everyone can focus on their blessings and share with the family. During dessert, I’ll pass handmade cards around the table and ask everyone to write their name on one side, and on the other, jot down what they’re grateful for this year. Once everyone’s read their answers aloud, I’ll pack all the cards into a large envelope and write the date on the front. Doing this every Thanksgiving will be such a fun way to log our family’s growth and follow everyone’s personal journeys over the years.
What’s your favorite way to get you and your home in the holiday spirit?
I use the long Thanksgiving weekend to get a jump-start on transforming my home for the holidays. I crank up the Christmas tunes, unpack the boxes of décor from the attic, and my husband, daughter and I head out to buy our Christmas tree. Starting early and giving myself enough time to get it done allows me to really enjoy the process before the craziness of December kicks in.
What’s your motto when it comes to holiday decorating?
Focus on the elements that will make an impact. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to deck out every corner of your home, choose the key areas (say, the fireplace, front door entryway, and dining room table) and turn those into statement-making spots that will make the entire house feel festive.
Favorites?
Traditional holiday meal:
My English mother-in-law’s roast beef with horseradish sauce and Yorkshire pudding.
Most delicious holiday cocktail recipe:
Prosecco with Sugared Cranberry skewers (To make them, boil equal parts sugar and water until sugar dissolves, then submerge cranberries in the simple syrup. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a cooling rack, and allow to dry for an hour. Roll cranberries in a shallow bowl filled with sugar to coat, then allow to dry completely.
Favorite holiday indulgence:
Christmas morning breakfast is always my mom’s famous almond kringle bread (made into a heart-shape!) – layers and layers of flaky pastry and rich almond paste.
Most cherished holiday decoration:
I have the Christmas tree ornament that my parents gave me on my first birthday – It’s a little bear on a sleigh that’s been glued back together countless times, and I always love unpacking it every year and hanging it on the tree.
Favorite holiday song:
Carol of the Bells.
Go-to holiday party outfit:
I buy a new cocktail dress every holiday season and wear it to at least a couple different occasions. It’s really the only time of year that I wear something with sparkles or jewels on it, but ‘tis the season! I’ll typically pair it with black tights, girly black satin pumps, and a fun colorful clutch.
See the rest of Camille’s profile on PotteryBarn.com here.
