From Elle: How to host with style at Christmas| Home Beautiful

Welcome

There’s so much of my life that I’d love to share with you, from my journey as a novice gardener to how I host and entertain. In my job, and over the past 20 years working alongside the best of Australia’s interior designers, decorators, gardeners and hosts, I’ve learnt a lot.
And it’s information I hope you find as helpful and inspiring as I have.
Let me know if there is a topic you’d love me to explore!

Heaven scent

Whenever I clean the house, my four-year-old son asks ‘Who’s coming over?’ It makes me think, do I really only deep clean when we are expecting guests? That’s a worry. But we do entertain quite often, so the house is generally tidy. I was asked recently for my top tips to elevate an interior, and one of them is a fancy, aromatic multi-surface spray. I love the Tasmanian Pepper and Lavender range from Bondi Wash and the Diptyque La Droguerie multi-surface cleaner – sprayed on benchtops, they scent a room quicker than a candle while making things sparkling clean. Bonus tip: use them to wipe down your front door inside and out for a beautifully fragranced welcome.

Walk this way

When people arrive at your home, the most important thing to do is tell them where to go. I know that doesn’t sound very polite, but hear me out. People need to be guided through and invited to sit down. Have you ever gone to someone’s house, only to stand around wondering whether you should loiter in the kitchen or head through to the living room? Set the scene for your guests. A simple “Come on through to the garden and take a seat while I get you a drink” will suffice. A note on drinks: I always keep a bottle of sparkling wine and some sparkling water in my fridge for impromptu get-togethers, but if you know who you’ll be hosting, try to stock up on what your guests might like. It shows you care if you can offer them their favourite beverage. If you don’t know, serve your own favourite and tell them why you love it – it’s a great conversation starter.

It’s a vibe

I love a theme. Not in the kitsch sense, but rather a palette and a feeling that I like to create when I’m hosting. For example, if it’s a lunch where I’m serving pizzas, I might start with Bellinis while I pop arancini in the air fryer, play 1960s Italian pop music and scent my home with vine-tomato candles. Though the pizzas should be cheesy, the theme doesn’t have to be. At Christmas, I’m a traditionalist at heart and love to decorate with red and green. I’ve found that by going for deeper shades of these festive colours, you can create an elegant setting. Think rich claret and forest greens. Teamed with glimmering crystal glasses, votives and ornaments, and the gleam of polished silver, the effect is truly magical. For a fresh accent, last year I made candle wreaths from glossy holly leaves. They’re incredibly spiky, so I advise to wear gloves, but they look wonderful. I might do the same again this year.

Shop The Edit: From Elle

The Edit from Elle December 2025 moodboard — From top: Borgo Delle Tovaglie ‘Firenze’ linen placemats in Terracotta and Sale Marino, $195/set of 4, Emporean. Villeroy & Boch ‘Grand Royal’ red wine goblets, $195/set of 2, David Jones. Florabelle Living ‘Birchwood’ nickel ice bucket, $329, Living Styles. ‘Sky’ stainless steel cocktail sticks, $90/set of 6, Georg Jensen. Tasmanian Sparkling Cuvée, $50/750ml, Handpicked. ‘Barletta’ rectangular ottoman in Avignon Velvet Nut, $845, Coco Republic. Clinique High Impact mascara in Black Honey, $50, David Jones. Ninja ‘Foodi Smart XL’ grill and air fryer, $249, Harvey Norman.

Festive finery

December is one of the few times of year that you have an excuse to dress up – and I intend to make the most of it! Even if I’m the one doing all the cooking, I love a bit of glamour, and sparkling earrings are my accessory of choice. This year, the ‘Leta’ earrings from Gingiberi are high on my wishlist (darling husband, I hope you are reading this!). Recently, I’ve discovered the Black Honey mascara from Clinique, and I think it’s perfect for that festive flourish. Though, I’ve been wearing it every day, to be honest. It’s a cherry-toned black that really makes blue, green, hazel and brown eyes pop. I promise it’s not scary – I’m conservative when it comes to make-up and it’s my new staple. As for what I’ll be wearing on The Big Day, I haven’t decided yet. And actually, it’s probably more important that I don a beautiful apron! I’ll be
wearing it long enough.

Writer Elle Lovelock Editor-in-chief

Elle started her journalism career 20 years ago on Belle and since then has worked on titles such as Australian Gourmet Traveller, Australian House & Garden and Real Living before becoming editor-in-chief Home Beautiful. She is an interior design and lifestyle specialist with a penchant for colour palettes and a knack for spotting the next big thing in decorating.

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