Four creative pros share secrets for doing the holidays in style
Photos Evaan Kheraj

Stephen Sutch

Designer, Owner
Koolhaus

Who: Stephen Sutch is an interior designer and is owner of Koolhaus (www.koolhausdesign.com). In retail for over 15 years, Sutch merchandises an evolving product mix. "Furniture is like fashion and I love how it continually changes," he says. One-third of the store's pieces are Canadian, including designers Bev Hisey and Baronet. Christmas brings in gold and platinum accessories, from potter Jonathan Adler to KleinReid.

Holiday strategy: "Why end the party after the cleanup? After the party, enjoy the evening with a cognac or peppermint whip cream and consider that the wrap-up. Do something special for yourself because you put a lot of work into the evening. So make sure to give yourself something at the end."

Holiday style: "This year the focus is on red and gold. I love red, and I thought red isn't being used a lot this year. I like to incorporate red, because it brings back that traditional part of things, and add the hints of gold in this modern [loft] setting. My idea is when my friends arrive to the party to give them a CD or DVD of moments together–and have it wrapped in paper my partner has created–and put a photo of them on it; that will be for them. The sharing is a Christmas gift of a voucher to a charity that we've chosen."

Final words: "I think all décor and entertaining is creating an ambiance, and that means everything from taste to smell; having the full package… sharing with friends and giving back by sharing."

Susan Lee

Art Director/Crative
Director of Orange Creative

Who: Susan Lee is the creative director and principal of her own retail-branding firm Orange Creative (www.orangecreative.com). As former in-house art director for Nike world headquarters, she brings her branding expertise to women's youth and sportswear markets. Clients include Bootlegger, Jack & Lily, Nike, and Gentle Fawn. Lee and Orange Creative have received recognition for design excellence from Applied Arts, How Design magazine, French Paper, and the Graphex Awards.

Holiday style: "I think there is a real [connection] between my work with the retail design side of things. Just the other day we were at Bootlegger and talking about The Grinch and how sometimes Christmas doesn't come from a store…well I don't believe that! For me, it's all about the sparkle and the glow."

Holiday strategy: "I think having real flowers and nice food–always have a cheese platter–are important. But not in a super gourmet way, just food that people like, yummy food, comfort food that everyone likes. I have to try and remind myself about the kids and bring that homey childhood component into it, and not make it look like a mall display. Don't trim the lights perfectly, but randomly, because it's more homemade. Or make the snowflakes out of pipe cleaners, so it looks more handmade. But I don't like the kids to make anything because it's not good enough!"

Final words: "I do love a real Christmas tree. That is the one thing I can't let go, bringing the outdoors indoors."

Nathan Fong

Food Stylist
Television Host, Journalist

Who: Within his hectic travel schedule, Nathan Fong manages to sneak what many would consider full-time professions in themselves: columnist on CBC Radio One "On the Coast"; contributing food editor for U.K. Men's Health magazine; contributor on Global TV's "Saturday Chef"; and contributing food editor at EAT Magazine. Plus, Fong is a nationally known food and props stylist.

Holiday strategy: "Bake a lot and freeze cookies and pastries for gifts, guests, parties.…Prepare appetizers that can be frozen and ready for unexpected guests…I always make sure my fridge is stocked with mixers, nonalcoholic beverages. Try and be organized. I seem to always run short of time shopping for gifts, but now I find that I enjoy giving 'experiences' such as spa treatments, massages, dinners. Clean house. Entertaining prep is always best kept simple, don't overstress by doing too elaborate ideas…I've been to too many functions where the hosts are more in the kitchen than entertaining their guests."

Holiday style: "Simple and natural. As I have lots of glass, natural stone, and wood in my home, I prefer clean contrasts, uncluttered decorations such as mirrored ornaments to reflect the natural light, lots of candles, and…boughs such as cedar and pine to scent the home. "

Final words: "Keep your holidays simple from entertaining to accepting a few social engagements, not all of them, or you'll burn out. Be organized. The holidays are filled with visiting guests and last-minute social engagements. Keep your freezer, pantry, and kitchen stocked…Keep your home decor simple. I love to decorate…but I really hate taking it all down.…So keeping your style and plans simple will end your holidays much better."

Mary-Jo Dionne

Writer/Designer
Principal of ThisIsInk.com

Who: Mary-Jo Dionne is an ad copywriter and T-shirt designer. Both her ventures, ThisIsInk.com and TheFleasKneesTees.com came via her pen. "Everything I do is through my pen and now I'm writing on my shirts. It's actually my handwriting on the shirts," she explains. Dionne's day-job clients include Cossette, Rethink, DDB, BBDO, and Ogilvy & Mather, where she writes for radio and television spots, print ads, magazines and newspapers, and advertising campaigns.

Holiday style: "I was raised in Winnipeg till I was 12 and it was just my mom and I–and my mom was young, free spirited, an anything-goes person…We didn't have a car for the earlier part of my life in Winnipeg, so we transported everything by toboggan…I remember when we went to the lumber yard to pick up our tree. Ours was in a box, so imagine pulling this box down Portage Avenue. That was 1977…My mom lives on the east coast and one visit my mom had an extra suitcase…in that suitcase was that tree.…December 1, the tree comes out, and so limb by limb I screw them into that damn post and it's an eyesore…but also the biggest conversation piece…It gives new meaning to retro. I call it now-tro. It's definitely about nostalgia."

Holiday strategy: "No matter where I go throughout the year, no matter what risks I take…the holidays - thanks in no small part to that tree - are all about getting regrounded."

Final words: "That 1977 retro tree is my own symbol of great personal centredness. Of everything that is real and unchangeable…like my relationship with my mom, my boyfriend, and my closest friends.…That tree is my reminder that some things are totally timeless and utterly ageless. When I am 94, I will still be decorating that tree."