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Happy Houzz Christmas the World Over

Houzzers in 7 countries around the world share their festive homes and traditions, and we'd love for you to do the same

Jenny Drew 25 December 2015

Home & Lifestyle Editor. Recovering cushion addict.

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What does Christmas look like in your neck of the woods? A huge family barbecue on the beach? A chilly morning stroll followed by a roast dinner? Perhaps you don’t celebrate at all … or maybe you wait for three wise men to deliver your gifts on January 6, as they do in Spain. Christmas comes in many forms and guises around the world, but however you’re celebrating it this year, it’s my pleasure to wish you a very Houzzy Christmas from all of us.

To celebrate the big day, we’ve asked homeowners and renters in several countries around the world to share what Christmas looks like in their households. If you’ve got a spare moment, please share your Christmas Day snaps with us too, by posting them in the Comments section below.

Lisa Atkinson Photographer

Christmas by the beach on the Mornington Peninsula, Australia
With her two-year-old son, Max, and another bub on the way, Christmas for Mardi Mason and her husband Brett is all about enjoying laid-back downtime with the family. The Masons moved into their dream home by the sea in 2013, and have adorned their beachside space with driftwood and shell decorations to mark the sunny festive season this year.

Lisa Atkinson Photographer

Hung on the wall above the fireplace, the simple yet creative tree – handmade from driftwood collected at their local beach – is also very toddler-friendly, with Max unable to reach the decorations to pull them off. “This year Max is old enough that he is so excited for Christmas, and it’s great that we can share this relaxed lifestyle with him over this special time of year,” Mardi says.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Bare feet, driftwood, pavlova

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Corynne Pless

Sparkly, sentimental holiday decor in Los Angeles, U.S.
Chris and Amber Earl like decorating their tree and mantel with a palette of gold and silver, as well as lots of twinkly lights. “There are mercury glass details we used in our wedding that I like to bring out from my cupboard that feel ‘Christmassy’ to me,” Amber says.

Small family heirlooms, such as the brass Santa on their mantel, belonged to Chris’ grandmother. “We thought it would be fun to include it as a hidden treat,” Amber adds. Handmade paper snowflakes, and a wool pompom garland complete the look.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Heirlooms, stockings, pompoms

www.adddesign.se

A colourful Christmas in the Swedish countryside
Evelina and Pär Utterberg moved into their big red house in the country two-and-a-half-years ago, together with their five kids (Embla, Elton, Elona, Enya and Elise). “Pär grew up in this house, and when his mum and dad moved into a smaller home we took it over,” says Evelina.

They love the location close to Skövde in central Sweden, with the woods around the corner and cows grazing a few metres away. “We really live in the countryside, and it’s great to be able to spend loads of time with our kids in nature,” Evelina adds.

The kids are gathered around the table eating lussebullar, a sweet saffron bun with raisins that is only eaten to celebrate Saint Lucy’s Day on December 13.

www.adddesign.se

The family likes to make the Christmas decorations themselves, and this Hama bead house is a more long-lasting version than a gingerbread house. “We love making Hama beadwork, and normally don’t need a pattern to follow,” Evelina explains. “But for this one we used instructions for a gingerbread house, which worked perfectly with the plastic beads.”

www.adddesign.se

Christmas decorations echo the eclectic, bubblegum colours found in the rest of the house, specifically bright yellow, pink, red and blue. The chairs around the kitchen table were picked up in various garage sales and vintage stores, and given the colour treatment by Evelina. “If you look closely they’re not perfect, but with five kids bashing about that doesn’t matter too much,” she says

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Cosy candles, Hama beads, raisin buns

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Chris Snook

Traditional charm in a period home in Kent, England
In preparation for a chilly Christmas at home, Sian and Ian Ross have transformed their cosy 16th century cottage into a shabby chic wonderland, packed with character and charm.

From the moment you enter the house, Sian has dressed the house for the festive period with lots of natural materials, including a rustic wreath complete with pine cones that hangs from the front door. Throughout the rest of the house, woven glittery fairy lights and twinkling glass decorations add sparkle to the white interior.

Chris Snook

Garlands of greenery and winter berries adorn the fireplace in the dining room, creating a rustic feel that complements the cosy scheme perfectly. “The cottage suits Christmas,” says Sian.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Holly, fairy lights, cocoa

Alfredo Arias photo

Carols and Christmas Eve cheer in Madrid, Spain
Christmas in the Baena household is traditional, endearing and all-encompassing; it usually includes the whole family, including grandparents, uncles and cousins. Mum Eva puts the finishing touches on the table with flowers, stars and candles, and the kids help set the table while listening to Christmas carols.

“The children participate in everything,” says Eva. “They are the real stars. After lunch [on December 24] we sing more carols and wait for the arrival of Santa Claus at twelve o’clock (although, unexpectedly, he comes a little earlier every year)”.

Alfredo Arias photo

The most magical night of every Christmas for Spanish people is January 6, when tradition has it that the three wise men pay their homes a visit. “We all prepare a small snack for them, and water and milk for the camels,” Eva explains. “The morning is real magic with the children screaming when they see all the presents. For breakfast we have Roscón: a very typical Spanish Christmas sweet”.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Carols, berry decorations, Roscón

Ольга Шангина | Photography

Happy New Year in Russia … and then Merry Christmas!
In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7, so the festivities begin in December in honour of New Year’s Eve first. For Galina Khalukova, this New Year Eve’s celebration is all about family and embracing tradition: “We gather the family around to wait for a visit from Father Frost [Russian Santa Claus], taking part in games while we wait,” she says. “For example, we dress up in costumes and throw paper snowballs in baskets. We also have a game where we cut candies with scissors that are hanging from threads.”

Ольга Шангина | Photography

For both celebrations, Khalukova has decorated her fir Christmas tree with traditional glass decorations, mixed with maritime-themed pieces – her husband is a yachtsman – such as this ornate mermaid figurine.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Your game face, Olivier salad, a fir tree

Intense Photography

A multi-generational Christmas in Waitoki, New Zealand
This year, Wayne and Irene Veale have finally completed the build of their minor dwelling (granny flat) on their daughter and son-in-law’s property. Now that it’s finished, their cosy country home will be the hub of this year’s Christmas festivities.

The couple look forward to having their family over to open up presents, feast on a scrumptious lunch and enjoy their beautifully festive new home.

Intense Photography

The Veales have gone all out, with their tall tree clad in glittering gold and white decorations. As their grandchildren live in the paddock below, the two families are always in and out of each others’ houses.

“We have an open home approach with our daughter and son-in-law, and we visit, support each other and enjoy each other’s company regularly,” says Wayne. Considering this closeness, it was of course a family affair when it came to decorating this year’s Christmas tree.

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: Family and friends, cook-offs, country views

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Anne Marie Photography

A family gathering at a modern farmhouse in Austin, U.S.
Brandi Hines, an event planner and interior decorator, created her own advent calendar and a special place for her son Parker and other visiting kids to play, while the adults mingle during this year’s Christmas celebration. “This keeps our family close during the holidays,” she says.

In the days leading up to Christmas, the family will do advent calendar readings each night. A DIY village set up in the corner of the living room, just off the kitchen, gives the little ones a fun activity to do after all the presents are open on Christmas day.

Anne Marie Photography

Brandi spends every Christmas Eve at her mother-in-law’s, where the family will exchange gifts and enjoy dinner together. “A few traditions that are passed on from our parents are getting special PJs and leaving cookies out for Santa, then finishing the night with the book T’was the Night Before Christmas,” she says. “Santa then stuffs the stockings and leaves one unwrapped gift under the tree.”

Brandi Hines Events + Design

“Spending time together is the most important part of the season,” Hines says, “so we always do things like movie night where we watch The Polar Express, visit the Hill Country Christmas light tour, and take a trip to the San Antonio River walk to see the lights and have dinner.”

Seen here is her son Parker who is excited to open a gift. The family completed their home renovation in June of 2015 and Hines adds, “We are really looking forward to spending our first Christmas here.”

CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS: PJs, cookies, Christmas movies

YOUR TURN
What does Christmas Day look like in your household? Share your photos, traditions and Christmas essentials in the Comments.

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