On decorating:
Our home is traditionally done in very outdoorsy-type themes, meaning we use a lot of pine cones and things from the outdoors that are beautiful when brought inside.
On entertaining:
We try a lot of unique recipes. One year we made what they have for Christmas in Quebec, another year we made Ukrainian food.
Favourite ornament:
It's an angel for the top of the tree that I can remember from the time I was four. She is about 60 years old and has a bisque face and arms. I have remade the wings and dress over the years.
-- Bonie Conrad, interior decorator, Tower Interiors Ltd., Halifax
("I take old decorations apart and use them to make new ones.")
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On decorating:
When I lived in the country, we had acres in the backyard and I remember bringing in my own greenery. I always use it in the entrance, the bathrooms and through the hallways. I mix fresh flowers, such as white or red amaryllis, white roses, white lilies and red berries. I always have lots of candles outside and inside.
On entertaining:
I love my guests to take a memory home. I'll give parting gifts, such as edible treats or a candle.
-- Armine Nielsen, owner, AT Design Group, Toronto
("I love the smell of the evergreens.")
On decorating:
I feel very traditional at Christmas, but I like to change [the decor] every year. I change the ribbons and bows at home to whatever colour will match. Last year it was gold, the year before, burgundy. This year, I might sway more to younger children. I have a two-year-old grandson.
On entertaining:
We still do the turkey and the stuffing and serve eggnog with the cinnamon sticks.
-- Kathy Love, owner and interior designer, K interiors, Vancouver
("At my store, I will have twiggy 'Charlie Brown' trees with decorations made locally: little red birds and little RCMP officers.")
On entertaining:
One year we had a "musical chair Christmas." If your family lives in the same city, you can do this. We went for breakfast at one house, lunch at another, dinner and dessert at another. I think it's fun if you stay in your pyjamas to go for breakfast. My sister-in-law put on pearls with her PJs.
On decorating:
I do a different thing every year. I have lots of decorations, but will probably buy a few new things and I go on what strikes me that year. One year it was all birds.
-- Elaine Wolfe, owner & residential/commercial interior designer, Elements Interior Design, Calgary
("This year, I'll probably do really bright colours for the tree –- pink and green and blue.")
On decorating:
The one thing that I carried through year to year was I let the kids have their own tree in their bedroom. I started the tradition when my kids were small and now they do it with their children. When my daughter was five, she made a whole bunch of paper bells with black tissue paper on them.
Now I have seven trees spread throughout the house, including one on the deck near the hot tub. They are all different and they all have a particular theme.
-- Connie Jackson, owner, Alterity Interiors Inc., Edmonton
(Fave holiday food: "My cranberry sausage stuffing.")
Image courtesy of Pottery Barn
Read more in Decorating & Design and Styling Secrets
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