Jed Tallo
@jedtallo | art director
“I grew up with a large extended family, so my childhood holiday dinners were always blissfully chaotic affairs—large platters of food passed around by aunts, uncles and cousins and people talking over one another. My ideal holiday soiree is an elevated take on this tradition. I’ll be testing out recipes from Yotam Ottolenghi’s newest cookbook, Simple. Because we eat with our eyes—and also because I simply can’t stop myself from having a theme—my table setting will be inspired by the moody tones of a Vermeer painting. I’ll update the traditional holiday palette with rich forest green and smoky glassware (a throwback trend I’m loving) and plants in lieu of a floral centrepiece. And I’ll pass out some CXBO mint chocolates post-feast—just in time for any encounters under the mistletoe.”
Carli Whitwell
@carliwhitwell | managing editor
“Everyone has a story about the best party they’ve ever been to. Me? I want to host that party. The holidays give me the perfect excuse to go all out. (Forget that ‘nestled all snug in our beds’ nonsense. That long winter’s nap? Guys, it can wait until 2019!) Since ’tis the season to be sparkly, my inspo is Studio 54 meets Cavalli yacht party—I want to be surrounded by as much glitter as there should be snow falling outside. To encourage mingling, I’ll ask each person to bring a plus-one no one else knows. My last party trick? Keep ’em entertained. Stock the bar with spirits, mixers, bitters and shakers so people can make DIY cocktails, or invite a special guest, like a tarot-card reader. To all a very good night indeed.”
Elaine Jyll Regio
@elainejyll | market editor
“I’ve always believed that the most interesting things in life happen after 2 a.m. That includes parties. I love an overcapacity bash, but when the crowd thins out, the night really begins for me. If I’m hosting, it’s about translating the good vibes of the larger party into something more chill and inclusive. My dream vibe is straight out of a Wong Kar-wai film—all moody, saturated colours. Music is everything. I’ll cue up some of my favourite South American artists, like Seu Jorge and Kali Uchis, on my turntable and let it play in the background. And if I think I might end up at an afterparty, I’ll be sure to have a pair of sunglasses in my cross-body bag—they’re a must for when you’re on your way home and the sun has already been up for hours.”
Victoria DiPlacido
@victoriadiplacido | beauty editor
“Long before you get to the actual holiday part of the holidays, it’s one of the busiest times of the year. This season, instead of sobbing in a Whole Foods because they’re sold out of whatever dish you were pretending to have made yourself for the umpteenth potluck on your calendar, ask yourself ‘Do I really need to be doing this?’ Most of the time the answer is ‘No.’ Choose the events that are important to you (like your friends’ Secret Santa gift exchange) or mandatory (like your work party) and say no to the rest. Then you can spend the holidays doing what we all really want to do: curling up at home—preferably beside a roaring fire—with a selection of A-one friends and some spiked cider. Can’t you feel your cortisol levels plummeting?”
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2018 issue of ELLE Canada.
Vanessa Craft
@vanessacraft | editor in chief
"Getting ready is the best part of going out. Sure, I like parties. But, if I’m honest, my favourite part of attending them is the preparation. I’m a master outfit strategizer, taking all factors into consideration: the dress code, guest list, weather, the message I want to send and whether I require a sit-down or stand-up ensemble. I blast music off of my party playlist and take sips of champagne between dance moves and swipes of liquid liner (a perilous activity I relish in) and dream of the night to come. My fantasy never involves the reality of what may come, such as pain from my vertiginous heels just five minutes after arriving or the long, unfruitful wait at the bar to get a cocktail. It’s all about the anticipation."
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