Embracing well-loved traditions in China with Kent Leung
What makes Christmas special to you?
As a kid receiving presents of course was the most exciting part of Christmas. That pure innocent joy of ripping off the wrapping to see what new toy I got is an experience I truly wish I could replicate as an adult.
Tell us about the food you have at Christmas - do you prefer classic or non-traditional recipes?
Growing up in a Chinese Canadian family my Christmas dinners were always a mixture of classic and non-traditional dishes. But if I must choose I think the classic recipes are what makes Christmas feel like Christmas.
What makes a great Christmas table setting? Is there anything new you are planning to try this year?
You can't have a Christmas dinner using the same plates and cutlery you eat with every day. Therefore it's got to be different and more festive. This year I'm definitely using Wedgwood's beautiful
Chinaware and cutlery to raise up to the holiday occasion.
Do you have a Christmas tradition that always surprises others, especially your friends from other countries?
My brother and I would prepare Christmas morning brunch for our family. We would then open our presents afterwards. I think this tradition is rather non- traditional and special to our family in particular.
If you were to give a present from Wedgwood, what would you choose?
I love the heart-shaped gift box with pairing mugs. I'd definitely choose that or a pair of
Vera Wang champagne glasses.
Celebrating the festive season in Australia with Nadia Fairfax
What do the holidays mean to you?
There is a fabulous buzz in the air come holiday time here in Sydney. The beaches are full, everybody’s glowing. We really are very lucky to live in this fabulous city.
Tell us about the food you have for the Holidays - do you prefer classic or non-traditional recipes?
Day to day I love to mix it up with cuisine - but come the holidays, we keep it the same. I have genuinely had the exact same meal on Christmas day since birth. I've even sat in the same seat. There is something quite enchanting about following a particular custom year after year. We typically start with an array of seafood (this is definitely a very Australian tradition) and move our way into turkey with all the trimmings.
What makes a great holiday table setting?
Colour! Whether it be in the produce, the florals, the crockery or glassware. It gives an optimistic feel to any event and if that is the case, you're off to a great start.
Do you have a Holiday tradition that always surprises others, especially your friends from other countries?
When I lived in New York my American friends would be totally engrossed by how "cool, calm and collected" my holiday snaps were. Prawns, bikinis in the backyard, good old fashion salad rolls on Sydney Harbour. The casual nature of our holiday season is what makes it so special and makes everyone else so envious.
Finally, if you were to give a present from Wedgwood, what would you choose?
Easy, a full set of the
Vera Wang Duchesse crystal flutes - oh, the opulence!
Exploring the holidays in the US with Mariana Marcki
What makes Christmas special to you?
Christmas is special for me because is when we disconnect from the world and focus on our family time, on dancing around and on keeping the magic alive for my kids who wait for Santa all year long!
Tell us about the food you have at Christmas - do you prefer classic or non-traditional recipes?
Whether we are in NY or in Rio, we always have Traditional Bacalau for Christmas Eve dinner. This isn’t everyone’s traditional dish but it is for us. This year I have big plans for our Christmas breakfast and the
Wonderlust collection will definitely be the star of the show.
What makes a great Christmas table setting?
The combination of beauty and functionality. I love to repurpose
soup bowls to hold fruit and
saucers as candleholder. Also, making it personal. My kids love to participate in making the table and I love the name tags they make. I treasure and save those every time!
Do you have a Christmas tradition that always surprises others, especially your friends from other countries?
Yes! We like to make a Brazilian version on s’mores. Instead of marshmallows we lightly warm up brigadeiros (a sweet, creamy truffle like Brazilian dessert) and place it between Graham crackers - always a winner!
Discovering Christmas delights in the UK with Alexandra Dudley
What makes a great Christmas table setting?
I always think about layers when setting a table, especially at Christmas. Think about layers of colour and texture as well as height. It could be stacking your side plates on top of your dinner plates or tying your napkin in a large knot just to create an element of volume to the table.
You’ll often find bowls of nuts, chocolates or fresh cranberries on my table. I love to use fresh clementines and herbs on my table and I often add a few Christmas baubles on the table too. I love the sense of unwrapping that comes with discovering all of the different elements and almost treat my table as though it is one big present to everyone sitting around it.
Discover more about how Kent, Nadia, Mariana and Alexandra embrace the Art of Entertaining at Christmas by following
@wedgwood on Instagram.
Canada
United States
Australia
Japan
Qatar
United Arab Emirates
Austria
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Poland
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom