Angela And Emilia Wickstead Share Their Holiday Rituals And Hosting Hacks
What makes a memorable celebratory occasion? From the joy of dressing up to the power of preparation, designers ANGELA and EMILIA WICKSTEAD share their most-loved family traditions for the holidays, plus the hosting and tablescaping styles they share as mother and daughter. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Emilia Wickstead
My favorite holiday rituals
“I always look forward to the holiday rituals – my husband is Brazilian, so we follow his native tradition of celebrating with a beautiful dinner hosted with friends and family on Christmas Eve. We follow this with a movie night, watching Miracle on 34th Street at home whilst wrapping presents and drinking wine. On Christmas Day, a freshly topped pavlova is our dessert of choice, which brings a touch of nostalgia from my beginnings in New Zealand. My favorite recipe is from the iconic Edmonds cookery book, which was passed down to me by my mother and grandmother. We follow this with birthday cake – my daughter’s birthday falls on Christmas Day, so we always make sure she feels special.”
My hosting style
“I’m a big believer in the power of dressing up for celebrations, especially at home. Bringing a sense of style to a party always makes for a fun and energetic atmosphere, as well as a touch of escapism. Before hosting, I turn my writing desk into a bar and serve cocktails (usually a dirty martini) and champagne. Every celebration with family always requires an excellent playlist, and Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald are two of our favorite [artists].”
The dream tablescape aesthetic
“The best celebrations include atmospheric lighting, interesting conversation, and champagne and flowers in abundance. I love dressing my home with unexpected floral varieties and foliage to create a talking point – pine leaves on the table at Christmas, or thistles in the summer to bring the display to life; I love Flowerbx for single varietal bunches. I’m looking forward to setting the table this season with our new homeware collection of plates, silverware and crystal glasses, too, which has a very handsome aesthetic.”
Hosting lessons I’ve learned from my mother
“I learned everything about the importance of attention to detail in interiors and the home from my mother. She taught me that the smallest touches can bring joy and make the world of difference. For example, setting cutlery upside down to lend an irreverent touch to table settings, and always having pristine, freshly pressed linens. We have very similar aesthetics when it comes to homeware, although I tend to favor seasonal, printed table linens inspired by my ready-to-wear collections.”
Angela Wickstead
My favorite holiday rituals
“Wrapping presents with my mother on Christmas Eve was a tradition for as long as I can remember – I’m from a big family, so there were always many gifts to wrap. I still adore the ritual of preparation and seeing everything beautifully put together under the tree. One of my favorite pastimes is watching my grandchildren decorate the tree, complete with nostalgic Christmas music playing. Getting dressed up to see friends for festivities – at home or at our favorite restaurants – always energizes me for the season. I love walking around my neighborhood in London on a chilly evening, taking in all the Christmas decorations.”
My hosting style
“We take turns at hosting as a family. Often, we go to my home in Italy for celebrations, or stay in London and have Christmas at Emilia’s. If we have friends in town, they are always invited to join us, too – the more, the merrier. Our hosting style is grand and dramatic rather than minimal. We start the day with my granddaughter’s birthday celebrations, followed by a long, late lunch. The table is always laid with fresh Christmas linens, flowers and candles. Once the tree is up, I am in the Christmas spirit! Sharing this sentiment of nostalgia and joy with friends is what the holidays – and hosting – are all about.”
The dream tablescape aesthetic
“I love formality and tradition, so everything must be just so. I adore having my home filled with beautiful fresh flowers, pressed linens, tapered candles lighting up the table, Christmas music playing and everyone dressed up – it always makes for a memorable evening.”
Hosting lessons I’ve shared with Emilia
“I have always been an advocate of setting a table formally, with the best china and glassware available to you. I use beautiful linens from my own collection, or Italian table linens that my mother passed down to me, and there must be tapered candles. I adore preparing it all to ensure it coordinates beautifully. I am sure I have passed this approach on to Emilia. I’m incredibly lucky that we work together very closely, and we always share ideas. We have very similar taste, but also our own personal, signature looks.”