Cosy and classic are the two words that sum up Christmas according to Crown Princess, Marie-Chantal of Greece.
The New York-based founder of the eponymous luxury childrenswear brand and mother of five is a huge Christmas fan and decorating begins in earnest as soon as Thanksgiving ends. “It’s a rule that we can start playing Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving,” Marie-Chantal tells us.
“I always decorate the kitchen with advent calendars and have fun Christmas candy and decorations around,” she adds. This year the whole family – dogs and all – will be celebrating Christmas in the English countryside, so Marie-Chantal will be decorating two homes for the holidays.
She shares her favourite family traditions and tips on what to gift little ones from her current collection, plus she describes how to conjure up the Christmas spirit wherever you are.
Decorate To Celebrate
I love the holiday season; it is my favourite time of the year – a time to be cosy at home with all of my family. The festivities always kick off the day after Thanksgiving. Winter-scented candles will be lit around the house and the decorations and Christmas cheer start soon after. I always decorate the kitchen with advent calendars and have fun Christmas candy, and decorations all around.
Our Christmas decorations are a mixture of subtle pieces and full-on maximalism. I’ll start off with a big Christmas tree covered with large pine cones and fairy lights. The tree always goes up in the first week of December and slowly, as the family gets together, we finish the decorations. I love to be reunited with all of my favourite ornaments. I’ve been collecting a few over the years and, as a family, the annual tradition of dressing the tree is one that everyone still looks forward to. I also love Christmas wreaths with sprigs of pine, more pine cones and cinnamon sticks, as well as winter berries, oranges and holly. There’s nothing better than that smell of Christmas.
