How are you celebrating this year?
“I usually go home to be with my family, but for the past few years Chinese New Year has fallen during the fashion shows. When I’m in NYC I celebrate over dinner with a few Chinese models at Si Chuan restaurant. I love the food! This is a good year because it is the year of the dragon.”

Favorite childhood memory of Chinese New Year?
“Traveling with my parents to Qing Dao — the Miami of China — and going swimming. I grew up in the middle of China where there is no water so I always loved going to the beach. Also my parents, aunties and uncles always would give the kids in the family money. When you get older you don’t get money anymore!”

“I like quite a bit of color and pattern, which can be harder to wear on the streets of London or New York, but perfect for swanning about Ibiza or St. Tropez.”

We love color and pattern, too! Our Resort collection is all about ultra-bright hues and bold prints, which we think look great mixed together.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

As they say in the French Quarter, “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” The good times will roll indeed if you follow Julia Reed’s guide to New Year’s in New Orleans.

Late Lunch
I meet friends at Galatoire’s; it always turns into dinner. I love to drive around the city and look at all the lit-up houses. People really outdo themselves — every neighborhood sparkles like crazy.

Cocktails
The Carousel Bar at The Monteleone Hotel is fashioned like a carousel, and it actually turns while you’re sitting there. It’s romantic and fun.

Fireworks
I usually head to a friend’s apartment building rooftop for some civilized viewing. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has a fabulous roof terrace and sculpture garden with the best views in the city.

Dream New Year’s Eve Date
It would be fun ringing in the New Year with Oscar Wilde, but I’m usually with exactly who I want to be — my husband and my dog.

New Year’s Day Brunch
Sylvain, a divine restaurant in an 18th Century carriage house in the French Quarte.. The Bloody Marys come with a spear of okra that is pickled in-house and a shot of Schlitz (a weirdly perfect combo). The brunch menu has buttermilk pancakes and biscuits and gravy, omelettes and a fried egg and country ham sandwich swanked up with arugula and a parmesan Mornay.

Illustration courtesy of Galatoire’s

Natalie Joos, casting director and Tales of Endearment blogger, has packed her bikinis and is flying someplace warm. See the feature…

“So many flavors around the holidays revolve around spice so I keep a few rieslings on-hand — Trimbach’s bone-dry Cuvée Fréderic Emileis and Albert Boxler’s gorgeous rieslings from the Sommerberg vineyard. Heitz Grignolino, Napa Valley, CA 2008, is such a fun wine, if you can get your hands on a bottle! Grignolino means ‘the little strawberry.’ One of my favorite champagnes for New Year’s is Saint-Chamant NV Blanc de Blancs. It’s a nuanced mix of brioche, toasted hazelnuts, lemon zest and minerals.”

“Our family loves Harbour Island in the Bahamas for a Christmas holiday. Walking on pink sand (not snow), wearing next to nothing outside, eating turkey in a friend’s garden dressed in a tunic and mini skirt – heaven.”

“I love to be in Sun Valley for New Year’s. It’s the original mountain town and America’s first ski resort. The mountain has the perfect fall line, and I love spending my days chasing my boys down black diamond runs.”

“The Big Island is my family’s favorite vacation destination; it is like a second home for us! The weather is always beautiful, the beaches are pristine, and the water is warm and clear… The ocean is teeming with incredible sea life — you can swim among dolphins every day and are guaranteed to see the most beautiful sunset every night.”

“I’ve been going to Punta del Este for the holidays since I was born, so there is a bit of bittersweetness. The landscape is absolutely gorgeous: you have the sea next to small mountains next to forest of pinos. It’s a beautiful town — really chic, with lots of high buildings along the seawalk. But at the same time, it maintains the charm of the local people — Uruguayans are the nicest! You can hide in a house inside a quiet street, you can ride your bike or you can find the most popular restaurants and beaches. In my case, I prefer to go in the off-season, because it’s when you can get the real tradition of the people and the city.”

Pictured: La Mano by Mario Mario Irarrazabal

“I am going to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. It’s known as the ‘Latin Venice’ because of its colonial palaces and the incredible town filled with the most beautiful hidden houses and gardens. Going to the island of Baru to rest on the beach during the day is the perfect way to recharge your batteries after a night of salsa dancing!”

All Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Director of Fashion at Lincoln Center, needs for a perfect getaway is a little sand, sun and Adele. See the feature…

“We are going to Albany! We’ll be with my husband’s family, as his brother, NY State Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be hosting us all for his first Christmas in the Governor’s mansion. My kids especially love swimming in the warm F.D. Roosevelt indoor pool that is encased in a greenhouse of glass that Roosevelt built to help his polio back in the 1920s.”

“I step up my practice during the holidays and go to more classes. The classes have such a frantic energy going in but such a peaceful feeling going out. I do most of my shopping online and hide everything in a closet. Since we leave before Christmas Day for Hawaii, we celebrate early and tell the children that Santa is happy to have some families to visit early so he doesn’t have to get to everyone on the 24th. So far, they believe it!”

“I have an ‘orphan dinner’ every Christmas for anybody who’s left in New York and doesn’t go home. I love it. I cook a feast for everyone.”

“I love wrapping paper with vintage maps of Italy, New York, London and the world printed on them. It’s by a company called Cavallini, and you can get them from Touch of Europe. Aimee Bell, the Deputy Editor of Vanity Fair, put me on to them. She wraps gifts more beautifully than anyone else I know.”

Gift wrap from Touch of Europe

Nourish’s Marissa Lippert shares tips on how to eat (and drink) responsibly this holiday.

Sip Strategically — Choose champagne or prosecco, just 85 calories per flute. Or stick with a drink you sip slowly. Pace yourself with a glass of club soda in between drinks.

Build Plates — Fill a small plate with lighter appetizers first (crudite, cheese, olives, a sushi roll). Then choose two or three naughty hors d’oeuvres like bacon-wrapped dates, mini sliders, coconut shrimp etc.

Trim Portions — Scaling back by even just 5 bites will allow you to account for the extra 100-to-300 calories or more that you’re likely downing right now.

Sleep & Hydrate — Stave off hangovers and keep your metabolism strong by getting enough sleep and at least two liters of water a day. Starting your day with a cup of hot water with lemon works like a charm.

Damage Control — Don’t skip breakfast the following morning, which can stall your metabolism. Reboot with yogurt and fresh fruit, a fruit smoothie with almond milk or an omelet packed with vegetables.

Shun Sugar — Don’t stand next to the bowls of chocolate or tortilla chips. Plan a healthy afternoon snack to keep energy levels high and fill you up.

If the peppermint bark is a must — Make it small and work in a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. Going at least “half healthy” allows you to get both naughty and nice all in one.

“Keep it personal. I like to give gifts that really reflect the recipient, and that includes the wrapping. I always add candy, because who doesn’t like a little sweet? This year I’m embellishing chocolate coins with illustrations and photos. I also always include a card personalized with one of my drawings.”

“Sister Parish was known for the lush, layered interiors she made popular during the latter half of the 20th Century, maintained steadfast holiday traditions. Filling her home with paper whites and scented candles, she kept the fireplace burning throughout the season. She set her holiday tables with special linens, and served her family’s favorite comfort foods, including Shepherd’s pie, creamed spinach, chicken hash, chocolate cake and fruit sorbets. Presents were uniformly wrapped in stiff white shelf paper with and tied with crisp red ribbon.” -Susan Bartlett Crater, Sister Parish’s granddaughter

“Trimming the tree is my favorite holiday tradition. I love getting our Christmas tree with my boys. We decorate it with new and vintage ornaments and some that have been passed down in our family, like an antique music box. There are a few peacocks perched on branches around the tree, including the top — I love the way the blue-and-green feathers look against the white lights and ornaments.” — Tory

“More is more this time of year. My son Cyrus and I make a gingerbread house and use it as a centerpiece. We decorate a big, bushy tree with tons of white lights. We layer cheap and cheesy ornaments with expensive ornaments and sentimental ornaments collected on our travels. The key to setting the holiday tone is scent — lots of fresh pine garlands and wreaths and, of course, Vie Luxe St. Moritz candles are the perfect accent. Some homemade eggnog in a chilled silver crock, my super duper Christmas playlist and we are set to go!”

“Sexy, electric chic…. Bringing the glam back to Christmas.”

“The entire family goes to pick our trees — one for the living room, one for the family room and a baby Charlie Brown tree for the childrens’ bedroom. My mom leads the decorating, and we are all assigned jobs. She is very Southern and methodical!”

“Consider buying gifts for loved ones that give back or are better for the environment. The gesture is all the more meaningful if it is helping others.”

“My fave holiday dish is Icelandic Gravlax that my stepmother makes. I’m not a big drinker, but I enjoy a dirty martini.”

“Our holiday party is for the company and our Los Angeles friends and family. It’s also a shopping party. Here’s the plan for this year: a keg of Tecate beer, tickets for free tacos at the amazing taco truck outside our office, Momofuku cookies, a Christmas tree with lights and our version of snowflakes (cut-out craft paper dudes). Last year there was an additional discount offered to anyone who brought a LEGO Baby Jesus. No one likes cookies more than Scott [Sternberg, designer] so this year, we have custom Band cookie cutters — a perfect stocking stuffer.”

“Because of the climate in California, we like to put our Christmas tree outside and look at it through the windows. It lasts longer, the girls [Madelyn, 5, and Kate, 10] like to string lights around it and going out to visit it at night feels special. Kate has become very attached to certain ornaments, which reminds me of myself when I was her age.”

“If you feel good, you look good. Set up a situation and then distract everyone so they are not focused on having their picture taken. Something that is fun where everyone is laughing and feeling good!”

See how Erica Domesek, of P.S. I Made This, crafted her holiday garlands.

“One large statement is usually all one needs. I have a huge, old 19th Century Chinese urn that can pack in about 40 peonies or 80 blooming roses. I concentrate on that and then fill in around the house.”

Check back for more stylish holiday tips and traditions from our Tastemakers!

“One of my fondest childhood memories is reading The Night Before Christmas to my family on Christmas Eve. I was eight years old, dressed in a red Santa suit, stuffed pillow belly and white beard. Some of my favorite holiday books to share: The Snowy Day, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”

Hilary Newsom, president of PlumpJack, shares her ideal getaway. See the feature…

Vanity Fair‘s Contributing Editor Elizabeth Saltzman is heading to Panama for surfing, star gazing and Scrabble. See the feature…

Amore—24 hours during Milan Fashion Week with A Magazine’s Fashion Director,  Sciascia Gambaccini. See the feature…

Departures’ Editor in Chief, Richard David Story just returned from a trip to the South of France for foie gras, Negroni sbagliatos and lounging in a private cabana. See the feature…

The light at the end of Neiman Marcus Accessories Editor Roopal Patel’s Fashion Week tunnel? True Blood. See the feature…

Paris’ Virginie Mouzat, Fashion Director of Le Figaro, descends on New York for Fashion Week. See the feature…

Lauren Santo Domingo, Vogue Contributing Editor, can’t get through Fashion Week without a little gridiron distraction. See the feature…

We caught up with stylist Brad Goreski for a Day in the Life during his busy, busy Fashion Week. See the feature…

What does it take to make it in the fashion industry? More than a great pair of sheers. Through the CFDA’s Fashion Incubator program, Trey Laird, of Laird + Partners, has mentored designers Prabal Gurung and Waris Ahluwalia on how to navigate both art and commerce. Here’s what they had to say…

W magazine‘s Beauty Director Jane Larkworthy makes the Fashion Week rounds. See the feature…

Muse and blogger Shala Monroque can’t survive fashion week without sleep, music and a tube of red lipstick. See the feature…

Just in time for the long weekend Michelle Kessler Sanders is heading to the Berkshires. See the feature…

Give Bon Appétit’s editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport a perfectly aged rib eye and a vodka soda and he’ll teach you how to make a mean scrambled egg. See the feature…

Designer Vanessa Seward is heading to the French Pyrénées for croquet, canoeing and a splash of domesticity. See the feature…

Aperlai‘s Alessandra Lanvin is heading to the coast of Turkey for swimming, star gazing and the best crab fish ever. See the feature…

The Wall Street Journal‘s Alexa Brazilian is heading to Nantucket for body surfing, barbecue and beach tennis. See the feature…

London-based blogger Peony Lim spends her summer holiday in New York and Florence. For her tips and tricks, see the feature…

Our 2nd annual Summer Reading List concludes with good reads from Allegra Hicks, Booth Moore, Hanneli Mustaparta, Jacob Weisberg, Todd Eberle, Mark Sarvas, Mrs. Lilien, Leanne Shapton and Elin Hilderbrand. Get the complete summer reading list here.

Our 2nd annual Summer Reading List continues with Kevin West, Roman Alonso, Sloane Crosley, Margaret Betts, Ann Brashares, Sean Sullivan and Cindi Leive. Get the complete summer reading list here.

Our 2nd annual Summer Reading List continues with John DeLucie, Dana Goodyear, Alex Witchel, Marina Rust, Cooper Ray and Virginie Mouzat. Get the complete summer reading list here.

Model, writer and jewelry designer Laura Bailey is off to Harbour Island for scuba diving, mojitos and some much needed beach time. See the feature…

Our 2nd annual Summer Reading List continues with Shala Monroque, Doug Keeve, Pilar Guzmán, Joanna Coles, Geoffrey Zakarian and Kaley Cuoco. Get the complete summer reading list here.

Lounging by a pool or on the beach, summer makes us crave a good book. Anna Dello Russo, Jill Kargman, Willie Geist, Stefano Tonchi, David Netto and Jason Wu weigh in. Get the complete summer reading list here.

Philip Crangi, jewelry designer of Giles & Brother and The Crangi Family Project, heads to Fire Island every summer for sun, sand and marathon games of Yahtzee. See the feature…

Need a good read? Look no further than our 2nd annual Summer Reading List where our Tastemakers, Christy Turlington Burns, Deborah Needleman, Narciso Rodriguez, Frank Rich and Carolyne Roehm,  weigh in on all things literary. Get the complete summer reading list here.

What does Hollywood producer Susan Downey do in her summer downtime? Hike Malibu’s stunning cliffs and indulge in date and almond shakes with her husband Robert. See the feature…

Marjorie Gubelmann of Vie Luxe is off to Newport. Crazy 8′s and a Mint Freeze anyone? See the feature…

Emanuele Della Valle of Creative Dispatch gives us the 007 on Jamaica’s Goldeneye.

Find out what is inside BeautySnob’s Tina Craig and Kelly Cook’s summer makeup bags. Read on…

Robin Givhan, Gretchen Fenton, Tina Craig and other tastemakers share their childhood memories of mom. See the feature…

“Wash your face, use some soap…You better listen to your mama.” What better soundtrack for our Mother’s Day montage than Jason Mraz’s What Mama Say (Life Is Good)? Here, a musical tribute to the Tastemakers and mothers who participated in our Mother’s Day round-up.

Crystal Lourd, Elizabeth Wiatt, Cristina Cuomo and other Mother’s Day Tastemakers. See the feature…

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Prabal Gurung and more — read what they learned from their moms. See the feature…

More great advice (and vintage family pics) from our Tastemakers and their moms… See the feature…

Our moms give us the best advice and the happiest memories from childhood. Here, our Tastemakers pay tribute…with some really sweet baby pictures, too. See the feature…

Christian Leone of GILT Groupe is off to Harbour Island. On his agenda? Cruising the island in a golf cart and sipping on a Goombay Smash.  See the feature…

Nina Garcia, Fashion Director of Marie Claire, tells us what she loves about her favorite Mustique getaway—from picnics at Lagoon Beach to dancing at Basil’s Bar.  See the feature…

Basil’s Bar in Mustique has been the main event for over 30 years. From Kate Moss to Kate Middleton, visitors come for the laid back scene and famous rum punch.

Basil’s Rum Punch
(for a large group)

1 liter Orange juice
750 ml pineapple juice
3 liters strong rum
750 ml grenadine syrup
300 ml lime juice
1.5 liters water

Serve over ice in a few days. The longer it sits, the better it is.

Entrepreneur Zach Klein of Svpply is heading to his cabin in Sullivan County. Hot Tubbing anyone?  See the feature…

Designer Minnie Mortimer is off to Maui for surfing, sand digging and shaved ice.  See the feature…

Dorrit Morley is off to Jamaica where she will hang out with her family, listen to reggae and have Randolins’ Rum Punch. See the feature…

One of our favorite female wine experts, Jordan Salcito, sommelier of New York hotspot The Lion, shares her insider tips with us. For February, she’s really feeling Chenin Blanc. Here, she tells us why, which bottles to buy and what to pair with it.

Renowned hostess Victoria Amory shares her favorite tips along with a signature winter dinner menu from her second cookbook, Delicious Flavors.

Anna Carter, the perennially chic philanthropist and NRDC board member, tells us how she and her husband, Vanity Fair‘s Graydon Carter, host dinners at home.

Jane Scott Hodges of Leontine Linens shares 10 simple things to do to spruce up your home for the new year. Our favorite? #10.

1. Edit your linen closet – replace any items that are worn and tired-looking (especially towels!).
2. Clear your surfaces. Minimize accessories. Store treasures in an armoire and change quarterly.
3. Use candlelight or the fireplace to create warmth and ambiance.
4. Bring out your fine linens, even for a simple family dinner.
5. Pick up new throw pillows to give a fresh feel to your family room.
6. Outfit your guest room with stationery, your favorite books, and fine toiletries to pamper your overnight guests.
7. Transform your playroom into a “study room” for your growing children.
8. Invest in high-quality down comforters and pillows to create a perfect night’s sleep.
9. Return to hand written notes, for any reason – thank you, birthday or thinking of you.
10. Resurrect the candy dish!

Cameron Silver, owner of Decades, gives us his personal guide to Palm Springs:

HOTEL – I have always had a soft spot for Korakia, where I have spent many fun weekends with old friends and making new friends. It may be in Palm Springs, but the pensione has a very Mediterranean vibe.

RESTAURANT – When I am in Palm Springs, I like to be super casual, so one of my favorite places is Native Foods, which is a delicious vegan café that satiates my appetite for healthy food. However, Sunday brunch is always at Las Casuelas Terraza for yummy Mexican food.

VINTAGE STORE (furniture) – The Estate Sale Company has a very eclectic selection of furniture. There’s a lot of junk, but I have scored on some gems! They sometimes have great estate jewelry too.

VINTAGE (Clothing) – Caroldean’s Resale Therapy focuses on modern designer clothing on consignment, but also gets vintage pieces, too. You just need to look and don’t be afraid to ask a sales associate “where’s the vintage?”

HEALTH – Any trip to Palm Springs, includes a hike in Joshua Tree, around 30 minutes away. It’s the ideal place to commune with nature.

The Contributing Editor at W magazine and creator of the blog Saving the Season taps into his Southern roots when it comes to hosting warm winter dinners with friends.

ARIEL FOXMAN, Managing Editor InStyle Magazine
The InStyle Warner Brothers Golden Globe party is…The after-party for all the celebrities and insiders who attend the ceremony.
My favorite GG moment of all time…is always when the presenters and nominees sneak out from the ceremony during the telecast to join our party before it has officially started so that they can get a bite to eat, something to drink and just relax.
I will be wearing… Ralph Lauren.

JEFF KLEIN, Owner Sunset Tower Hotel and City Club Hotels
The CAA/Vanity Fair Party Golden Globe Party is… at the sunset Tower, and, of course, fabulous.
My favorite Golden Globe nominee is… Cher.
I will be wearing… Bruno Cucinelli.

The Contributing Editor at Vogue and Co-Founder and Creative Director of Moda Operandi shares her tips for hosting the perfect mid-winter dinner at home. See Vogue.com‘s. feature on Lauren at home.

New Year’s Resolution: “To carve more time out of my schedule for reading. That stack of books by my bed keeps piling up!”

An easy way to refresh your home in 2011…
“Cheer up your home with flowers. Keep a vase full of lilies or gardenia in your entryway so that when you enter your home, you’ll immediately smell them—an instant mood lifter. A great way to update your home is with splashes of color. Add throw pillows, lamp shades, even books in deep shades of blue, green, red, or even fuchsia to create dramatic moments in a room.”

What is the new juice cleanse trend for 2011? “Just JUICE! Go deep with LOVE* deep at Organic Avenue. It’s our only all-juice cleanse that can be shipped nationally and delivered locally.”

Closet Cleaning Tip: “Donate old clothes. I love Housing Works and Memorial Sloan-Kettering. If you want to sell some items, the new site i-ella is an online consignment that donates a portion of the proceeds to the charity of your choice. I consign there along with several celebs, so there are really great finds for shoppers!”

Q: For the New Year, which look feels the most now?
A: “Longer-length skirts.”

New Year’s Resolution: “To live life to the fullest – and enjoy every moment with my beautiful daughters.”

If you don’t have a lot of time but want to get in shape… “Make exercise a daily ritual. Take ten minutes every morning to ‘honor’ yourself—stretch, lunges, squats and crunches—will definitely get your day off to the right start.”

The Ultimate Five-Minute Relaxation Tip:
Minute 1: “Close eyes. Sink down ‘into’ myself, dropping the outside world.”
Minute 2: “Bring attention to bear on the exhale and inhale without straining. Just noticing.”
Minute 3: “Feel the ‘outside’ world as an extension of myself. There is no thing, no color, no sound, no being that is not me.”
Minute 4: “Feel the profound, incomparable pleasure of that.”
Minute 5: “Open eyes. Wonder why everyone on the subway is staring at me like I’m Meg Ryan at Katz’s Delicatessen.”

“During the holidays, I love to put Maison du Chocolat almonds in little silver bowls on the table and serve Levain cookies with hot chocolate for dessert. Also, I send everyone I love a card with a donation in their honor to Citymeals-on-Wheels.”

New Year’s Resolution: “To exfoliate daily.”
Three ways to look younger without surgery…
Exfoliate: “Exfoliation gives you that easy glow of a young person ‘in love.’ It brings the young healthy cells to the surface and allows for more even pigmentation and less visible flaws.”
Protect: “Wear big Tory sunglasses every day. They make a huge difference, because when you’re not wearing them you’re squinting, which contributes to eye fatigue and ultimately signs of aging.”
Treat: “Get a non-invasive, in-office treatment—Ultherapy is a new non-surgical procedure using time-honored ultrasound imaging to treat lax skin on the face and neck.”

“Holidays are a time when so much focus is put on celebrating our loved ones. Because of this, I like to slow down and focus on myself with a 5-10 minute facial massage with a rich moisture mask. Doing this while soaking in a tub will do wonders for the body, mind and spirit! If you wake and find yourself with puffy morning-after holiday party eyes, try this surefire trick. Chill two teaspoons in a cup of ice water, then place on eyes. The puff really calms down!”

“Makeup always looks better when your skin is glowing and in good shape. The key to making this happen is to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. During the holiday season, I exfoliate often with Origins Modern Friction. Its gentle dermabrasion gives you a glow like you just went for microdermabrasion but without the redness. Then I use Origins Drink Up intensive mask. It’s an overnight mask, so you can multitask while you sleep. It’s like getting a facial while you are sleeping!”

Amanda Ross

Stylist, Global Fashion Director W Hotels
Go-to hostess outfit: Lanvin cocktail dress.
Go-to hostess gift: Salted chocolate caramels from Fran’s Chocolates.
Top of your wish list: Trip to India.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Olives and cheese; prosecco, Tarte au citron.
Favorite holiday song: Anything by Frank Sinatra.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard. It goes with everything.
Sun, ski or Home: Skiing in St Moritz.

Michelle Kessler Sanders

Fashion Director, T: The New York Times Style Magazine
Go-to hostess outfit: Haider Ackermann leather leggings, The Row T-shirt and Rick Owens clogs.
Go-to hostess gift: Three bottles of excellent biodynamic wines. Jean-Baptiste of Wine Therapy in Nolita finds the most unique wines in the most chic bottles! If the person doesn’t drink, then the Santa Maria Novella Pomegranate candle. There is nothing better.
Top of your wish list: That this minimalism trend will end soon.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: My friend and über-chef Matthew Kenney taught me how to make his tricolor sesame-cashew dumplings. They are beyond description. Drink: Krug. Dessert: Tarts at Ceci-Cela, which are the best in NYC.
Favorite holiday song: Dean Martin’s Baby It’s Cold Outside. It is romantic and cheerful.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard. It’s impossible to not feel and look sexy in it.

Mish Tworkowski

Jewelry designer
Go-to host outfit: A Tom Ford brown silk smoking jacket, blue jeans and a white piqué button down shirt with big pearl cufflinks.
Go-to hostess gift: This year’s batch of homemade quince applesauce from our orchard which Joseph lovingly cans every fall.
Top of your wish list: A beautiful padparadscha sapphire for my gem collection.
Favorite drink: Hawaiian punch!
Favorite holiday song: Do they know it’s Christmas? from Band Aid.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: I always love paisley.
Sun, ski or home: The best thing is being home for Christmas and leaving the following morning for a great week of skiing in Colorado.

Fiona Marin Kotur

Designer
Go-to hostess outfit: Always variations of the same: Lanvin blouse and Tory’s Fiona pants. They always have the best fit…
Go-to hostess gift: A Taschen book.
Top of your wish list: Taking my children on an Operation Smile medical mission in China next year—having volunteered on several myself, the experience is so enriching.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: The wheel of Stilton that always accompanies the season…love it with figs and Sauterne.
Favorite holiday song: Christmas carols and Bing Crosby’s Christmas album.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: I love them all!
Sun, ski or Home: Home for the holidays! But then to Phuket for sun.

Ashley Bouder

Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
Go-to hostess outfit: Dark green sequined top with matching high-waisted skirt.
Go-to hostess gift: Pumpkin banana bread with walnuts, pouched in sheer red fabric with a silver bow.
Top of your wish list: iPad.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Spinach and ricotta puffs, pumpkin spiced eggnog, pumpkin pie with vanilla bean ice cream.
Favorite holiday song: Santa Baby.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Paisley.
Sun, ski or home: Home.

Jeannie Lee

Owner of Satine Boutique and Bacini designer
Go to hostess outfit: Pink Silk Button down blouse with a waist tie from Garb Luxe, Balenciaga flats, any Trouser Jeans.
Go to hostess gift: Magnolia Cupcakes.
Top of your wish list: A sister for Coco, my Boston terrier.
Favorite drink: Makoli, Korean rice wine.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard.
Sun, ski or home: Sun.

Susan Fales-Hill

Author, Television Writer and Producer
Go-to hostess outfit: A floor-length skirt and fitted blouse, or Chanel satin cigarette pants and blouse with dramatic sleeves. You want to make a statement and be comfortable, but not eclipse your guests.
Go-to hostess gift: Teas from Tracy Stern Salon Tea—each one is named for a different 18th Century Salon figure (the musician, the lover, the writer etc.), Maison du Chocolat truffles, Teuscher champagne truffles or, if you’re splurging, a bottle of Dom Perignon.
Top of your wish list: Peace of mind and time to spend with my dearest friends.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre or drink: Cod fish fritters (a Haitian specialty) and Kir Royales.
Favorite Holiday song: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Sun, ski or home: Home by the fire in New York City. There is no more magical place at Christmas than this town.

Sarah Cristobal

Senior Fashion Editor, StyleList
Go-to hostess outfit: L.B.D., chunky necklace, red lip and a high heel.
Go-to hostess gift: Smythson notecards.
Top of your wish list: Keith Richards’s autobiography, Life.
Favorite holiday song: Is it embarrassing if I say Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You? Mimi’s rendition makes it impossible to not get into the holiday spirit.
Favorite holiday drink, hors d’oeuvre or dessert: Eggnog (bonus points if it’s spiked).
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard! Meow!
Sun, ski or home for the holidays: Home for much-adored family time then hightail it to the beach for New Year’s Eve.

Kathy Freston

Author
Go-to hostess outfit: I wish I had one! But usually a pencil skirt, pumps or boots, and a little silk top.
Go-to hostess gift: A vegan cookbook.
Top of your wish list: Love the fun jewelry from Church in L.A.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Vegan caviar on a blini with vegan sour cream…beyond divine.
Favorite holiday song: I like the corny old ones, like anything sung by Johnny Mathis.
Sun, ski or Home: Home, glorious home!

Laura Vinroot Poole

Owner, Capitol in Charlotte NC
Go-to hostess outfit: Anything Alaïa—appropriate for virtually everything.
Go-to hostess gift: Diptyque candles—Cyprès and Cannelle.
Top of your wish list: A Lagotto Romagnolo puppy from Blackberry Farm or a Northern Lights train trip through Sweden.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre or drink: “Dam Big” briny oysters from Damriscotta, Maine; North Carolina rainbow trout caviar from Sunburst Trout Company; and tons of champagne.
Favorite holiday song: Nat King Cole’s Christmas album is a near constant in my house from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Definitely leopard…just a little every day.
Sun, ski or home: Home is the ultimate luxury.

Samantha Gregory

Fashion Consultant
Go-to hostess outfit: Skinny black pants and a top that sparkles.
Go-to hostess gift: A wonderful bottle of wine always seems welcome when I visit friends. Fresh cut flowers also make a great gift.
Top of your wish list: Carolina, our baby girl who arrived in April, was the best gift. This Christmas, I’m focusing on her wish list as well as my husband’s, since he is proving to be the world’s greatest father.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Pink champagne. Caviar stuffed into bite-sized new potatoes is hard to resist, as well!
Favorite holiday song: Anything by Cole Porter or Frank Sinatra. The perfect music to listen to by a roaring fire.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: I love leopard because it always makes a simple outfit feel a bit more festive and fashion-y.
Sun, ski or Home: Home, home and more home!

Raven Kauffman

Accessories Designer
Go-to hostess outfit: My Lanvin cropped trousers with my all-time favorite Alaïa heels, my vintage Tom Ford-era Gucci tux jacket, and tons of vintage jewelry.
Go-to hostess gift: Cire Trudon candles. Or a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé – fail-proof!
Top of your wish list: Any book from Assouline. A 1958 rose gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Favorite drink: Champagne with a splash of St. Germain.
Favorite holiday song: Vince Giraldi’s Charlie Brown Christmas album.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic! I’m a magpie at heart!
Sun, ski or home: Ski! I love snow, hot chocolate and crackling fireplaces. I love to go on horse-drawn sleigh rides in Woodstock, Vermont, at my in-law’s farm. Jingle bells and all!

“My signature look for the holidays is a vintage hostess gown. I love to entertain at home, so I can control the food and not have to leave the house, so this is the perfect outfit. And it goes well with bare feet!”

Michael Boodro

Editor-in-Chief, Elle Décor
Go-to host outfit: Usually an apron, since I like to cook for my friends.
Go-to hostess gift: A bottle of good wine, a tube of Muji pencils or scented soaps from Claus Porto or Santa Maria Novella.
Top of your wish list: A couple of free afternoons just to wander New York’s neighborhoods and explore new shops and restaurants.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: That old classic—little red potatoes with sour cream and caviar.
Favorite holiday song: Baby It’s Cold Outside by Vanessa Williams. In fact, her entire Christmas album is fantastic.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Paisley. It’s cozy and classic. It’s the pattern of one of my favorite ties, and it always elicits compliments.
Sun, ski or Home: Paris! The perfect place to be for New Year’s Eve. Chilly, misty, and romantically beautiful.

Gigi Mortimer

Designer, Glamourpuss NYC
Go-to hostess outfit: A sparkle top and velvet jeans.
Go-to hostess gift: Bissinger’s dark chocolate and caramel lollipops.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Caviar with iced shots of vodka and peppermint ice cream with chocolate sauce.
Favorite holiday song: The traditional Hallelujah chorus sung by my son’s school.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic brightens my day!
Sun, ski or Home: Home.

Bronson Van Wyck

President, Van Wyck & Van Wyck
Go-to hostess gift: A book that you’ve read about a subject of interest to your host. It’s personal, immediately complimentary, and gives you something to talk about the next time you see each other.
Top of your wish list: A reservation at The Spotted Pig. I’ve never been.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Miss Ida’s eggnog. Heavy on the brandy. Heavier on the bourbon.
Favorite holiday song: Adeste Fidelis.
Sun, ski or Home: Vegas. The Wynns throw the best New Year’s Eve party in the world.

Jennifer Siebel Newsom

Actress and First Lady of San Francisco
Go-to hostess outfit: Little black dress.
Go-to hostess gift: An orchid or bottle of CADE Sauvignon Blanc.
Top of your wish list: A puppy for our daughter.
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Dirty martini.
Favorite holiday song: Silent Night.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard.
Sun, ski or home: Sun at our ranch in Montana or the Serengeti in East Africa.

Madeline Nelson

Executive Director, FFAWN (Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now)
Go-to hostess outfit: A black dress is a must with festive, sparkly touches.
Go-to hostess gift: Champagne flutes always end up broken and the host will always want to replace them. Simple and elegant.
Top of your wish list: Gold Bvlgari watch, Chanel flats.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Apple cider with a cinnamon stick, red velvet cupcakes or Italian cream cake.
Favorite holiday song: Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic.
Sun, ski or home: Definitely tropical sun! Hotel Isle de France in St. Barts.

Melissa Biggs Bradley

Founder of travel website Indagare
Go-to hostess outfit: Silk or sequined pants that are as comfortable as pajamas and some fun jewelry.
Go-to hostess gift: Something exotic like Iznik plates from Turkey, an embroidered Moroccan market bag or a sting ray box from St. Barts.
Top of your Wish List: More time.
Favorite holiday dessert: Pumpkin pie or, even better, pumpkin mousse.
Favorite holiday song: Mahalia Jackson’s Silent Night.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Leopard.
Sun, ski or home: Ideal is at home followed by a mix of mountain and beach time. We combine time in Utah with time in Mexico (both direct flights from New York).

Lucy Danziger

Editor-in-Chief, Self
Go-to hostess outfit: Velvet pants, sleeveless top with a little shimmer or sequin on it.
Go-to hostess gift: A book of photographs. My husband James is a gallery owner and we both love great images and match the content to our host.
Top of your wish list: For my kids to be happy, and I love my black super shiny tall boots, which would be on my wish list but I bought them for myself!
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Love quiche…very Mad Men.
Favorite holiday song: Santa Baby. A pal of my grandmother’s wrote it.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic. You can layer and wear it with everything.

Patricia Greene Isen

Director of Special Projects, Anthropologie
Go-to hostess outfit: Black, black and more black.
Go-to hostess gift: Anthropologie candles, dishes, mugs, books and stationary.
Top of your wish list: A new kitchen floor!
Favorite hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Tuscan antipasti.
Favorite holiday song: A mix of everything on my iTunes.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic, as I find it to be timeless and classic.
Sun, ski or Home: A bit of each is fabulous! I’m a travel junkie so I love going everywhere. We were in Val d’Isère, France, last winter with close family friends and had one of the best vacations ever.

Samantha Marcus Yanks

Editor-in-Chief, Gotham and Hamptons
Go-to hostess outfit: The best outfit is a simple one because inevitably I am usually scurrying around until the last minute. I tend to wear a simple dress and one piece of bold jewelry like an oversized necklace or chandelier earrings.
Go-to hostess gift: A box of individually wrapped single-use hand soaps from Valsey and Me.  You monogram them with your hostess’s name and they love to put them out at their next party for their guests.
Top of your wish list: I’d be lying if I didn’t say a new apartment. Then an endless budget to decorate it.
Favorite holiday hors d’oeuvre, drink or dessert: Moët & Chandon Ice Imperial – champagne on ice is so decadent and chic.
Favorite holiday song: Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban singing The Prayer.
Leopard, paisley or metallic: Metallic – but only a touch.
Sun, ski or home: Skiing, when I was younger. Sun with my family now.

“My signature gift for children is the Gingerbread Chalet Kit from the  Zabar‘s catalog. If you’re like me and you’re not all about rolling and baking and oven mitts, just cut straight to the fun part—the building and decorating. As a father with no cooking skills, it makes me look good—for one night of the year, anyway.”

“The day after Thanksgiving, I fill my home with red poinsettias and burn Jo Malone’s Pine/Eucalyptus candles as well as Jonathan Adler holiday candles. I also have candy bowls filled with red and green M&Ms in the house for the kids and their friends to enjoy.”

“Every year I take my goddaughter Violette Grey to a Christmas tree farm near my house in New Preston, Connecticut. Supplied with a sled and a saw, we harvest a tree for her parents’ house in Brooklyn. Afterwards, we go to the farmer’s shed where she gets a picture with Santa and I buy garlands of boxwood to make a wreath which I trim with lemons for my apartment in town. Years ago when I saw a Majolica wreath of laurel leaves trimmed in lemons at the old Getty Museum in Malibu, I adapted it as my favorite holiday ornament.”

“Magnolia leaves, citrus and white flowers mean Christmas at home to my family and friends. I arrange four dozen clay pots of Ziva paperwhites on the steps of the porch, and plant dozens more in the front garden six weeks before Christmas. Our red front door is hung with a wreath of magnolia leaves. Inside, I put a full stalk of Casa Blanca lilies in antique decanters and arrange them on tables. I also like to take small silver cups and pitchers and cram them with short stalks of narcissus mixed with holly and berries.”