House tour: A white and gold Christmas morning

Two Christmas trees are better than one

Homeowner Monika Hibbs and her cousin, designer Stephanie Giesbrecht, decorated the living room of Monika’s home for Christmas with two trees instead of one so the kids could participate in decorating the four-foot number. Each child has his or her own twine-wrapped letter trinket to place on the small tree, and a monogrammed bauble hanging on the big one, too. Stockings strung up on a fireplace are often too high for kids to reach – so why not set them on the floor, where they can best be enjoyed? “It creates a really inviting atmosphere and adds coziness, making the under-the-tree area look fuller,” says Stephanie. Not that it needs it. The presents stunningly wrapped in combinations of white, black, brown and gold are beautiful, too.

Dining room decor

Suspend stars and strings of twinkle lights vertically in a window for a snowfall effect. The simple arrangement adds celebratory cheer, and the kids can help out by adding their own handmade snowflakes to the mix. Kids’ Christmas decor doesn’t have to be a riotous mix of primary colours. Monika and Stephanie stuck to a dreamy meringue-white scheme, lacing in complementary pale accents for a soothing look.

Tablescape

Monika and Stephanie tucked a small print that subtly says Christmas (the word “mistletoe” is written in a funky, fanciful font) into the wooded tablescape for additional whimsy, interest and texture. In lieu of prints, use greeting cards to place fun messages on your dining table.

Personalized plates

The simple beauty of script comes to life on a hand-painted personalized plate for a glam yet youthful place setting at this holiday breakfast for kids.

Glamorous sugar cookies

Intricately iced sugar cookie snowflakes and fawns were customized to emphasize the table’s glamorous vintage-classic vibe. (What is it about fawns that recalls old-fashioned storybooks?) Displaying cookies on a fluted plate lends a charming touch.

Mason jar hot chocolate

Mason jars filled with hot cocoa are topped with mile-high piles of irresistible marshmallows and garnished with peppermint candy canes for dunking. Rest assured, your kids will be happily occupied...for two minutes, at least.

Christmas morning

Okay, we won’t dock points if you don’t match your jammies, but how fun is this coordinating crew? Stephanie (in solid black) sits with her three kids – Alexa, 8, Cole, 3, and Haley, 10 – while Monika holds her 17-month-old son, Liam.  The foot of the tree is tailored for a post-party nap, complete with luxuriously soft faux fur sleeping bags and plush holiday toss cushions. “The kids can have their cousins over, exchange gifts, play and relax,” says Monika. “It’s so cozy and comfortable for the little ones. The arrangement – with the metallics, beiges and whites, not to mention the faux fur – complements the whimsical winter woodland theme.”

Vintage details

The milkman may have ceased delivery, but you can still harness old-timey charm by swapping humdrum cups for sweet clear vessels with cute striped paper straws.

Spirit of giving

If giving is what this season is all about, then sharing must come as a close second. The moms make sure to have shareable treats around so the young ones can start to understand the spirit of giving. (And for cute photo ops, as well!)