We asked experts from the worlds of food, interiors, events and design to share their top tips and shortcuts for the run up to Christmas. From tablescaping and turkey prepping to drinks, delegating and decorating, follow their lead …
Rebecca Roe, Hedgeroe Home
“Forward planning is key, in all areas of preparation, from food to table settings. I always set my table the day before, this way I am not under pressure. It takes me a while to set it right and being able to walk away and come back with fresh eyes is key for me! Make sure you keep a couple of spare chairs handy for unexpected guests and that your table settings are not too tight so you can accommodate one or two more places if needed. I always serve a cold starter like pickled beetroot and salmon which means I can dress the plates in advance. Lastly, we all have full fridges at Christmas, so if you need to cool down wine or champagne fast, wrap it in a damp tea towel and then pop it in the freezer – but make sure to set an alarm so you don’t forget to take it out!” www.hedgeroe.com
Sharon Hoey, Designer, AndTate
“1. Slice up leftover lemons and any that are a little hard, pop in a freezer bag and they can substitute for ice if running low or ready for all your guest’s G&Ts.
2. Plan the Christmas table early, I start in November. This is the one task that takes me ages. It’s important and sets the tone for the day. Make notes, moodboard and decide on a colour scheme and style, pick up the candles etc early and also have cloths and napkins starched well in advance. I introduce dried, sprayed or fake foliage/baubles with fresh flowers and foliage to fill out and add interest. This saves a lot of time on Christmas Eve, no searching for the right elements at the last minute.
3. Best of all – delegate. Last year our three sons were home for the holidays. We delegated the courses – one on canapés, one on starters and one on dessert. They had to purchase ingredients, prep, cook and serve. Fabulously leaving Richard and I loads of time to enjoy a couple of glasses of champagne with our guests. Saves a fortune too! They loved it and really stepped up to the challenge.” www.andtate.com
Helle Moyne, Nordic Elements
“Most homes in Denmark buy or make an Advent wreath for Christmas and we light a candle every first Sunday of Advent. I have been doing my version for years using four large candles of different heights which I place on a Lebanese silver tray I bought on our honeymoon there many moons ago. I add a bag of pinecones I have collected over the years. It’s easy, sustainable and sometimes I use coloured or differently shaped candles – it’s sentimental, always looks great, festive and takes about two minutes.” www.nordicelements.com
Grania Murray, US-based Irish interior designer
“Transform your home into a wonderland with these chic yet sustainable decorating ideas. Adorn your door or window frames with branches covered in a little snow spray or twinkly lights, effortlessly bringing magic indoors. This adds a touch of natural elegance drawing the eye upwards for a stunning visual impact. Create unexpected charm by hanging baubles from your staircase rail using a variety of coloured ribbons delighting your guests with a unique and eye-catching feature. Turn old Christmas cards into stars to use as sustainable gift tags, tree décor or place tags adding a personal touch to your holiday celebrations.” @studiograniamurray www.graniamurray.com
Gareth Mullins, Executive Chef, Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel
“The run into Christmas can be a busy, stressful time especially when it comes to the Christmas Day dinner. My top tips will always be based around preparation: write your food and drinks menu then plan a shopping list. With two weeks to go, I will start by getting the cranberry and clementine sauce made, the base for the gravy made and frozen, apricot and thyme stuffing made and frozen.
I will have decided how the table will be dressed. The Irish turkey and ham will be ordered from the butcher. We also have some spiced beef, which is amazing for the sandwiches over Christmas week. The real work is all happening on Christmas Eve by cooking and glazing your ham, getting the turkey oven ready, making the dessert, preparing all the vegetables and of course dressing the table. Christmas Day will be about enjoying an amazing meal with family and having fun relatively stress free. Remember many hands make light work. I will be sharing lots of recipes on my Instagram @garmullins to help make Christmas extra delicious.”
Katy McGuinness, Food writer
“It sounds obvious, but taking a couple of hours to order all the key food and drink you want to have in the house for Christmas ahead of time is a brilliant stress-reliever. For me that means native oysters from Kellys (kellyoysters.com), wild smoked salmon from Sally Barnes (woodcocksmokery.com), ham from Gubbeen (gubbeen.com), beef from Cynnie Fortune-Ryan at Metcalfe Park (@metcalfeparkbeef), vegetables from McNally Family Farm (mcnallyfamilyfarm.com) and cheese from Sheridans (sheridanscheesemongers.com). And wine too of course – Claire Arnold at Lennox Grocers (lennoxstreet.ie) gives me great advice.
With the important stuff taken care of, I can draw up an idiot-proof list and delegate the supermarket shop to somebody else. Each year, Christmas dinner in our house becomes simpler – and better – with extraneous dishes and sauces edited out. This year my adult children are talking about taking over the cooking and, so long as that doesn’t mean I have to do the washing up, I’ll be happy.” @katymcguinness
Sarah Rickard, Stylist
“As much as I love a full-on sequin look, my style shortcut for the festive season is this bejewelled knit sweater from Second Female, this knit is so cosy with a touch of glam. Style with a sequin mini and thigh high boots or metallic trousers for a night out in town; or a slip skirt or jeans for an elevated daytime look. This is a piece you’ll wear right into the new year as it doesn’t scream Christmas!” @styled_by_sarah_rickard
Julie Peelo, Creative Director, Peelo
“One of my favourite Christmas traditions is something my best girlfriends and I started a few years ago. Instead of gifting presents, we plan a “girl date” or get together. Often this is in January, a new year treat to look forward to, like a spa getaway or a jazzy dinner and drinks in the city. It’s a real highlight for us all and takes the pressure off gifting each other, when we all have so many purchases to make. It’s our memory-making gift to each other every Christmas!” www.peelo.ie
Anna Guerin, The Landskein
“To embrace the Christmas spirit early in December, I fill my home with generous bunches of rustic Irish eucalyptus. I source it directly from Tanners Farm in Lusk, Co Dublin. I love the simple elegance and earthy fragrance, and they remain fresh for up to four weeks ensuring festive ambiance right up to the New Year. For me, it’s the perfect Christmas combination: Irish eucalyptus bunches, white Irish linen, and pillar candles aplenty!” www.thelandskein.com
Fionnuala Brabazon, Owner/CEO of Killruddery
“I enjoy Advent and taking a slow build up to the celebrations. I pick holly early and then store it. I also split up the workload of foraging and decorating. I add my greenery slowly throughout our rooms as the month of December goes on. I like this gradual addition of greenery that can be topped up and finished with a red velvet ribbon nearer to Christmas Day. If I see good greenery or mistletoe in shops, I take it when I see it, which crosses off another item on my to do list. My overall approach to Christmas is to keep it simple, limit materials and theme decorations by layering older and newer pieces.” www.killruddery.com
Darina Slattery, Founder, Oomi Travel
“Artisan hampers are a practical gift to give friends and neighbours. Festive jams, chutney, cookies, puddings with a bottle of port or wine – presented in festive wrapping. I pre-order mine in advance with Thelma from The Station House, Co Meath, where the hampers include festive jams, chutney, cookies, puddings with a bottle of port or wine. I keep hampers in my car for that unexpected house visit. Also essential for me is to have cream and whiskey to hand for a piping hot Irish coffee.” www.oomitravel.com
Cherie Denham, Chef and Author
“On the run up to Christmas, each bit of spare time I get, I prep one or two components for our Christmas dinner and then put them in the freezer. That way on Christmas Eve all I need to do is prep the sprouts and carrots. I even have my roast potatoes in the freezer ready to go! I also put lots of ice packs into the freezer and get my two cool boxes cleaned and ready to sit outside the back door for the overflow of food. I couldn’t do without them; we all need that extra bit of cold space when the fridge is groaning!” @cheriedenhamcooks
Annie Dunne, AD Event Design
“My festive hosting shortcuts include having plenty of ice buckets. A great way to simplify refills while managing food prep is by setting up a drinks station. An ice bucket filled with drinks, alongside a selection of clean glasses, encourages guests to help themselves. I am also a fan of bottled cocktails – hosting becomes so much easier with pre-made cocktails. I recommend Craft Cocktails, an Irish company, which offers a delicious selection. The beautiful bottles can also be reused as elegant vases! Lastly, save time and let Spotify curate the soundtrack. The right music sets the mood; consider creating a shared playlist so guests can actively participate and contribute to the ambience of your party.” www.adeventdesign.com
Caroline Duffy, Artist and Designer
“I am always looking for ways to be kinder to the earth, especially at Christmas. I believe in reusing and revamping old wrapping paper or wallpaper to lessen the waste of the festive season. I love to make presents look like Christmas crackers using my own signature wrapping paper (available on my website). Whenever I’ve done this the recipients have appreciated the heart-felt trouble I’ve taken to show I care. I also enjoy the creativity of this activity, which all the family can be a part of. Here’s how I make my crackers:
1. Cut a square piece of wrapping paper.
2. Fold the paper once, then again along the long side.
3. Fold the two short sides in about a quarter of the way.
4. Cut each corner off.
5. Fold the paper out.
6. Glue two sides together.
7. Put your present inside the gift wrap ‘tube’.
8. Tie each end with a piece of ribbon.”
Eilish Rickard, Interior Designer
“I always like to have a small reserve of ‘back- up’ gifts to hand during the festive period for surprise guests. These don’t have to make a dent in the budget and can work for a wide range of recipients. The best back-up gifts are those that you can accumulate ahead of time with just a couple of clicks. Choose items that won’t expire and are easy to store such as candles, coffee table books and homeware items. Avoid the faff of panic wrapping by stocking up on gift bags that you can pop a festive glittery bow on!” Shop gifts at www.dwellbyeilishrickard.com
