Welcome
There’s so much of my life that I’d love to share with you, from my journey as a novice gardener to how I host and entertain. In my job, and over the past 20 years working alongside the best of Australia’s interior designers, decorators, gardeners and hosts, I’ve learnt a lot.
And it’s information I hope you find as helpful and inspiring as I have.
Let me know if there is a topic you’d love me to explore!
The scheme
Every year, I decorate for Christmas with a fairly traditional palette of red, white and green. But I like to tailor it for the occasion.
This year, I’ll be hosting an intimate Christmas dinner, which I want to feel elegant and elevated. I’ll be setting a white-on-white table with layers of crystal stemware and French silver flatware to catch the candlelight. The next morning, the whole family is coming over for brunch, so I’m going Scandi-style with a taupe gingham tablecloth, red berry accents and an abundance of cinnamon-scented pastries and leftover ham (and cheese) on croissants. Relaxed and fun, but still beautiful, the morning will be spent sitting on the living room floor around the Christmas tree sharing gifts and sipping mimosas with Aled Jones’s “Walking in the Air” playing in the background.
A month out
Just like Santa, in the lead-up to Christmas, I make a list. But I check it more than twice. You see, over the years I’ve been caught out on a variety of things – not disasters, but my gosh they’re annoying. Hence, the list. To help The Big Day go a little smoother, here’s what I do. One month out I like to give the house a deep clean, and then just keep on top of things throughout the entertaining season.
It means you’re always ready for impromptu pop-ins. But there are some things you may forget. Like, descaling the coffee machine. It’s maddening to see the little light flash right when you’re taking a post-dinner coffee order.
Next, I turn my attention to food supplies. I order the ham and turkey from the butcher, stock up on pantry treats like posh crackers and Fortnum & Mason Christmas tea. And I buy booze. The well-priced good stuff always goes fast, so if you leave it too late it’ll cost you. One premium bottle of vintage Champers is great, but not when you need to share it between 12 people. Looks a bit stingy.
House clean and pantry stocked, it’s all about decorating. This is when the magic begins.
Two weeks to go
I’ve spent many a Christmas Eve drowning in a sea of wrapping paper, strips of sticky-tape stuck all over the backs of my hands. It’s not calm, it’s not bright. So now I ensure all my gifts are bought and wrapped by the fortnight before Christmas. Setting a festive table, only to discover a stained napkin or two isn’t ideal either, so this is when I launder all the table linens I might want to use. Into a bucket of Vanish they go! If, like me, you love vintage silverware, give it a good polish to avoid tarnishing your celebrations. Speaking of unwelcome surprises, avoid a fizzer of a day and make sure your gas cylinders are all full: sparkling water makers, barbecues, pizza ovens. Again, not a disaster, but annoying.
To really get in the mood, this is when I like to compile my Christmas playlists. Classical choir music for nighttime, jazzy carols for day. Mariah and Wham! for getting ready.
The day before
If you follow my plan, this is when you will be hitting your yuletide stride. With everything in order, you can focus on the final festive flourishes. If you’re expecting overnight guests, this is when to make the beds up – fresh is best. Enjoy setting your dining table, and have a round-the-coffee table picnic for dinner so as not to mess it up. Your partner might think you’ve gone mad, but the kids will love it. And pre-prepare whatever food you can. Trust me, it makes all the difference so you can actually join in the festivities.
Elle’s two-ingredient fruit mince pies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Roll out pastry and cut 12 rounds to fit a patty cake tin
- Line patty pans with pastry rounds and press down lightly to create a dip in the centre
- Dollop 1 tblsp fruit mince into each pastry case
- Cut 12 stars from leftover pastry and place atop each pie
- Bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown
Shop The Edit: From Elle
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