Decorating
My Kind of Christmas: Blogger Claire Donovan of Heart Handmade
In this series, Houzzers share their Christmas traditions. This time, it’s blockbusting interiors blogger Claire Donovan
We all have different Christmas traditions: when and where we gather for dinner, when we open gifts, who decorates the tree… Every household has its own spin on the festivities, and in this new series, Houzzers lift the lid on theirs.
Today, it’s the turn of Claire Donovan of the hugely popular homes blog, Heart Handmade, whose crafty knowledge and decorative imagination have garnered her more than a million fans on social media, including 39,000 on Facebook. Here, she lets us in on her cosy family Christmas. Tell us what you think and share photos or details of your own kind of Christmas in the Comments below.
Today, it’s the turn of Claire Donovan of the hugely popular homes blog, Heart Handmade, whose crafty knowledge and decorative imagination have garnered her more than a million fans on social media, including 39,000 on Facebook. Here, she lets us in on her cosy family Christmas. Tell us what you think and share photos or details of your own kind of Christmas in the Comments below.
Which Christmas movies or TV do you always watch?
The Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf. We always used to watch It’s a Wonderful Life, but it always makes me cry, and that can be a little exhausting at that time of year.
The Muppet Christmas Carol and Elf. We always used to watch It’s a Wonderful Life, but it always makes me cry, and that can be a little exhausting at that time of year.
What does your house look like at Christmas?
Like a Christmas shop! Really. I love Christmas. I try to recreate the magical feeling I get when I see that scene in Elf where he’s totally transformed the shop and the house with paper snowflakes everywhere.
Like a Christmas shop! Really. I love Christmas. I try to recreate the magical feeling I get when I see that scene in Elf where he’s totally transformed the shop and the house with paper snowflakes everywhere.
What’s your dream Christmas house?
I’d love a 1920s, Gatsby-inspired pink haven.
I’d love a 1920s, Gatsby-inspired pink haven.
What’s your top Christmas decorating tip?
Oh my goodness, I have so many. I think my favourite is that I made tiny reflective ornaments that I place behind each of the bulbs on the Christmas tree. This makes the tree look infinitely brighter without using more electricity or having to spend even more money.
Oh my goodness, I have so many. I think my favourite is that I made tiny reflective ornaments that I place behind each of the bulbs on the Christmas tree. This makes the tree look infinitely brighter without using more electricity or having to spend even more money.
How traditional is your Christmas dinner?
For the rest of my family, it’s completely traditional. For me, it’s traditional minus the animal products. I love a homemade nut roast and onion gravy.
For the rest of my family, it’s completely traditional. For me, it’s traditional minus the animal products. I love a homemade nut roast and onion gravy.
Are there any local traditions you like to join in with?
Visiting the local Christmas market, which has a diverse range of products and international foods, and also caters to vegans.
Visiting the local Christmas market, which has a diverse range of products and international foods, and also caters to vegans.
Favourite Christmas snack?
I don’t have a favourite snack, but my boyfriend and I always buy two vegan advent calendars and scoff all the chocolate.
Other than that, for the whole of December I drink hazelnut cream coffee. It started when I discovered the coffee a few years back and I bought a pack or two… Now I buy it by the kilo!
I don’t have a favourite snack, but my boyfriend and I always buy two vegan advent calendars and scoff all the chocolate.
Other than that, for the whole of December I drink hazelnut cream coffee. It started when I discovered the coffee a few years back and I bought a pack or two… Now I buy it by the kilo!
Do you dress up on Christmas Day?
Absolutely. In the morning, we open gifts in our PJs. Going for lunch, we like to dress up – I’ll wear a pretty dress, but I usually end up wrapped in a blanket before charades.
Also, I always seem to have some type of festive headgear on and I love buying new ones every year.
Which family traditions do you always follow?
We get together on Christmas morning to exchange gifts, then head over to my aunt’s for dinner. Christmas dinner is at the same time and place every year, and then my dad and I sit in front of the fire early evening to watch the Dr Who Christmas special.
Absolutely. In the morning, we open gifts in our PJs. Going for lunch, we like to dress up – I’ll wear a pretty dress, but I usually end up wrapped in a blanket before charades.
Also, I always seem to have some type of festive headgear on and I love buying new ones every year.
Which family traditions do you always follow?
We get together on Christmas morning to exchange gifts, then head over to my aunt’s for dinner. Christmas dinner is at the same time and place every year, and then my dad and I sit in front of the fire early evening to watch the Dr Who Christmas special.
What’s your present-wrapping style?
Three dimensional. I realise that gifts are already 3D, but I’m talking about the gift adornments. I love creating layered gift tags and using toppers, toys and fancy ribbons, twine or lace.
Three dimensional. I realise that gifts are already 3D, but I’m talking about the gift adornments. I love creating layered gift tags and using toppers, toys and fancy ribbons, twine or lace.
What’s the first thing you do when you get up on Christmas morning?
Coffee! As a grown-up, coffee has become my lifeblood. I only have two cups a day, but I deal with that first; it gives me space for my brain to wake up. Then it’s time to grab the camera and open the gifts.
Coffee! As a grown-up, coffee has become my lifeblood. I only have two cups a day, but I deal with that first; it gives me space for my brain to wake up. Then it’s time to grab the camera and open the gifts.
When do you open your presents?
Usually at about 8am, so we’re ready to go over to my aunt’s house for 11am for more gifts and some nibbles before the feast.
Usually at about 8am, so we’re ready to go over to my aunt’s house for 11am for more gifts and some nibbles before the feast.
What’s your favourite Christmas record?
Without a doubt, The Carpenters’ Christmas Collection. My favourite tune on the album is Carol of the Bells. It reminds me of a particular Christmas when I was younger. I was dying to learn how to play it on the piano. It was a white Christmas that year, so it brings back the warm and fuzzies.
Without a doubt, The Carpenters’ Christmas Collection. My favourite tune on the album is Carol of the Bells. It reminds me of a particular Christmas when I was younger. I was dying to learn how to play it on the piano. It was a white Christmas that year, so it brings back the warm and fuzzies.
Is your Christmas more:
A) EastEnders
B) Downton Abbey
C) It’s a Wonderful Life
D) Other
For me, it’s like It’s a Wonderful Life minus the existential crisis. The only drama that happens is that we take too long opening gifts and dinner gets shifted back… or that breakfast was biscuits, so we’re starving by the time dinner comes around. Have I mentioned that I love Christmas?
Check out the Heart Handmade blog
What are the Christmas traditions in your home? Share your favourites in the Comments below
A) EastEnders
B) Downton Abbey
C) It’s a Wonderful Life
D) Other
For me, it’s like It’s a Wonderful Life minus the existential crisis. The only drama that happens is that we take too long opening gifts and dinner gets shifted back… or that breakfast was biscuits, so we’re starving by the time dinner comes around. Have I mentioned that I love Christmas?
Check out the Heart Handmade blog
What are the Christmas traditions in your home? Share your favourites in the Comments below
I’m very lucky that I get to decorate three trees – two in my own home and one at my parents’ house. In my living room, I have red and white Scandinavian-style décor; in my dining room, it’s a sugary-pink mix of ice-cream cone ornaments, little jingle bells and mercury glass. At my parents’ home, the tree is a rich gold and cream theme.
Is your tree real or artificial?
All the trees are artificial. I’m a bit of an environmentalist, so I don’t like the idea of cutting down trees.