Holiday by Patrick Shipp
Christmas, Fluffed to Perfection
Christmas has always held a top spot in my heart—I often joke that I’m the fourth most important person to the season, right after Jesus, Santa, and Mariah Carey. I usually kick off the festivities with a cocktail at one of my go-to festive spots: Butch McGuire’s, The Langham, Palmer House, or the Walnut Room at the original Marshall Fields. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
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I may embrace a changing world, but when it comes to Christmas, I’m a traditionalist. My dad has always been the Stocking King—each one curated with love and care. On Christmas morning, he pulls the stockings from their hooks and lays them out, brimming with thoughtful surprises. Stockings are now our favorite part of the day, even more than the big gifts.
If you’ve never gone all in on stockings, give it a try. It just might become your favorite tradition too.
Hit Up the McCallister House
Once that first snow hits, I head up to Winnetka—because Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie, and let’s be real, you’re not a true Chicagoan until you’ve visited the McCallister house. I love grabbing a gingerbread latte, crossing the train tracks like Kevin did, and soaking up the magic. Fingers crossed the new owners decorate this year—see you up there!
A Great Christmas Starts with a Good Fluff Job
Fun fact: I used to run my own professional Christmas decorating business, and I stand by this golden rule:
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A great Christmas starts with a good fluff job.
There’s nothing worse than a janky artificial tree that hasn’t been fluffed properly. Touch every branch, fan it out, and layer in floral picks for texture and fullness.
Pro tip: If you’re team faux tree, invest in an unlit Balsam Hill. They last forever, and you’ll avoid the heartbreak of pre-lit lights dying out by year three. (I said what I said.)
The Stocking King
I may embrace a changing world, but when it comes to Christmas, I’m a traditionalist. My dad has always been the Stocking King—each one curated with love and care. On Christmas morning, he pulls the stockings from their hooks and lays them out, brimming with thoughtful surprises. Stockings are now our favorite part of the day, even more than the big gifts.
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If you’ve never gone all in on stockings, give it a try. It just might become your favorite tradition too.