Southern Living Southern Living Christmas at Home 2021

PARTY TRICK MERRY Simple Treat An easy riff on the fancy French croquembouche made from choux pastry puffs, our version has the down-home flair of donut holes Donut Hole Tree ACTIVE 45 MIN. - TOTAL 45 MIN. SERVES 40 We coated a Styrofoam cone with canned frosting that closely matched the color of the donut holes in order to camouflage the form. Then we used toothpicks to arrange the donuts in rings, starting at the base. You can buy powdered sugar donuts, but we liked the snowy effect that a light dusting of powdered sugar gave these glazed ones. Lastly, tuck sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs in evenly for a decorated tree effect. 1 (12-inch-tall) foam coneAluminum foilCanned buttercream frosting80 toothpicks80 glazed or powdered sugar donut holesPowdered sugar, for dustingOptional accents: sprinkles, rosemary sprigs, hard candies, decorated…

BRILLIANT BERRIES For a mix of modern and traditional, use mercury glass teardrop vases to hold bright holly berries, available from florists and garden shops. Kept in fresh water, the berries should last up to three weeks. We added warm orange and more red color with some mandarins and pomegranates, which also lend texture and fragrance. GLORIOUS GREENS Play up one color for extra impact. We paired clear glass containers with fruit, foliage, and ribbon in a fresh shade for an unexpected display. Arrange camellia branches in one water-filled vase and naked seeded eucalyptus in another. Place a mound of apples beneath a glass bowl. Accent with contrasting ornaments and tiny battery-powered fairy lights. COOL JEWEL TONES Pussy willow adds some height to a simple arrangement of pine branches with cones, displayed in an antique…

Savannah is such a special place, and the whole city gets into a festive spirit each December,” says Monica Lavin, founder of the lifestyle blog Lavin Label. In 2018, she and her husband, Casey, moved into their downtown home, which was built in 1842 and isn’t too far from Forsyth Park. The couple fell in love with its historic charm, which really shines at this time of year. When it comes to decorating, Lavin prefers to enhance the existing decor with fresh seasonal touches. “We want our guests to feel welcome when they step inside,” she says. A sophisticated palette paired with treasured family keepsakes offers just that—the warmest of holiday greetings. DRESS UP THE EVERGREENS The exterior and living areas are layered with evergreen swags, which are taken up a notch…

CeCe Colhoun was born and raised in New Orleans, in homes so old they literally crumbled before her eyes. When she was leaving for school each morning, it wasn’t unusual to find the front steps littered with bits of molding the house had shed overnight. “I know how much work goes into maintaining a centuries-old home, and I admire people who do that,” she says. When she and her husband, Trevor, moved back to the Big Easy, they chose a new house that was surrounded by older homes and decorated it in a decidedly contemporary style. The low-key glamour endures at Christmas, when Colhoun deploys strategic dashes of gold, champagne, and white to create a sophisticated and festive look for entertaining. LET SPARKLES FLY In CeCe Colhoun’s lattice-wrapped garden room, a 12-foot…

Jordan Kruse remembers the bottom of the punch bowl. Last Christmas—the first he and husband, James Hewlette, spent in their newly renovated Charleston, South Carolina, home—they hosted an open house that floated on well past its scheduled end time. Dozens of guests remained cozied up to the outdoor fireplace, nibbling ham sandwiches and homemade confetti-cake balls—and draining the citrusy bourbon punch served on the terrace. “It was so much fun,” Kruse says. Hewlette agrees, noting that during the redo (helmed by residential designer James B. Laughlin) they kept a count of how many people they could fit in each room. As a test run, the party was a smashing success. “They’re great hosts,” says their interior designer and longtime friend, Elly Poston Cooper. “Their door is always open; the bar is always…

HANGING OF THE GREEN A heavy mixed-evergreen garland gracing the portico roof, columns, and banisters is decidedly more Southern with hundreds of magnolia leaves tucked in. Alternating the glossy leaf fronts with copper-colored velvety leaf backs provides striking contrast that draws the eye. Olive branches—symbols of peace—add lacy texture and a touch of silver to the abundant mix. ALLOW ARCHITECTURE TO SHINE A few pheasant feathers plus gold-painted leaves and pinecones are inexpensive but luxe-looking additions to a simple magnolia garland on top of an ornate mantelpiece. Look for pheasant feathers at crafts stores or online; they are easy to tuck into arrangements for added height and texture and even make a great tree topper. CLASSIC SOUTHERN STYLE A white-brick Colonial is a stately canvas for holiday decorating. Taking a cue from the home’s lanterns,…