The holiday season means something a little different to everyone as traditions and celebrations grow over the years. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, December is a time for making memories with family and friends near and far. The T&W team share some of their favourite memories and how they like to celebrate the silly season.

Alana, Junior Account Manager T+C

How will you be celebrating this year? 

I come from a big Italian family so we LOVE food. Christmas Eve is held at my grandparent's place with the whole extended family, where we mostly eat, but also play games like charades and pool volleyball, and listen to old school music. Christmas morning means pancakes, fruit, bacon, eggs and fresh bread and presents with my parents and brother, then I head to my partner's house with his family for a day filled with games and another big feast. To finish off the day, we watch a Christmas movie topped with our favourite desserts (my cousin's chocolate mousse and my aunt's rocky road) and homemade popcorn. 

What's your favourite holiday memory? 

Playing games with the family, laughing and talking about stories from when we were younger. They are the best memories. 

What's on your Christmas wishlist? 

I've got my eye on some Glasshouse candles this year, they smell so good.

Alex, Category Manager

How will you be celebrating this year?

This year, I'll be celebrating with my family at home. After a long few months of not being able to spend time with my grandma, I'm most looking forward to spending quality time with her. Being Polish, we celebrate on Christmas Eve starting with a traditional Polish soup of barszcz (beetroot soup) and pierogi before moving on to Australian seafood as a main. We also get to open our presents on Christmas Eve.

What's your favourite holiday memory?

As a child, we used to go for a walk before dinner to look for the Christmas angel (which was the first star in the sky) and when we came home we would find all our presents waiting under the tree.

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

This year for Christmas, I want some really nice Champagne coupes, so we can celebrate the end of the year in style!

Jamie, Customer Care Consultant

How will you be celebrating this year? 

Usually, I go home to Terrigal for Christmas and spend time with my mum, siblings and nephews. We usually eat lots of food and do a Secret Santa. Because we have my beautiful bulldog Tootie this year, we'll be taking her home for Christmas as well. Hopefully the weather will be nice so we can go to the beach, usually we'd go down to Terrigal beach, but this year we may go to North Avoca because it's dog friendly.

What's your favourite holiday memory? 

10 years ago, I had my last Christmas with my dad. Every Christmas after breakfast, we would head over to his side of the family and the day consisted of games, lots of food, drinking, winning money prizes and enjoying time with relatives. That was the last time we were able to spend Christmas like that and it will always be my favourite memory.

What's on your Christmas wishlist? 

I'm hoping for this dressing table because it conveniently has a mirror with lighting, drawers to store makeup and other products and provides a place that I can get ready without disturbing my partner.

Sam, Head of Learning & Capability

How will you be celebrating this year? 

Christmas means spending time with my kids and fur babies. We take silly photos, watch Christmas movies (always Home Alone and Elf) and play games, with a traditional roast and loads of sweet treats. We mix in a few German traditions, like mugs of steaming hot gluhwein that smell and taste like Christmas and decorating lebkuchen which are heart-shaped German Christmas treats that resemble gingerbread.

What's your favourite holiday memory? 

Experiencing a white Christmas in Germany with my family and visiting the night Christmas markets. It was one of the most magical Christmas experiences. As they say in Germany, 'Gemütlichkeit' - it was a feeling of warmth, friendliness and good cheer. 

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

I've got my eye on the Grant Outdoor Hanging Chair for relaxing in the backyard with a book and cocktail. 

Alex, Senior Project Manager T+C

How will you be celebrating this year? 

Every second year, we visit my Mum's house in the tiny town of Canowindra in the Central Tablelands, NSW. The house was built in the late 1800's and this has been our Christmas tradition for 31 years now. It's usually piping hot, but that doesn't stop us from having the traditional ham, turkey and warm pudding for lunch. Mum is an amazing cook so we wouldn't have it any other way! To cool off, we visit the local pool and wind up with games and G&Ts a plenty on the lawn. 

What's your favourite holiday memory?

We were yabbying at our friend's dam where we would usually only catch 10 yabbies from a few hours of trying, but this particular year, the dam was full! We were reeling them in like crazy and went home with bucket loads! It was so much fun. For those unfamiliar with yabbies, they are a delicious freshwater crayfish - even tastier than a prawn!

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

I've been really wanting these towels for our new bathroom.

Natalie, Editorial Content Producer

How will you be celebrating this year? 

I'll be heading back to my family home in the Blue Mountains. I love escaping the city to celebrate with my extended family over a delicious Christmas lunch, followed by a much-needed walk to the beautiful lookout at the end of our street.

What's your favourite holiday memory?

Catching up with my cousins while enjoying the feast of seafood, roast meats and salads my Dad dreams up. A special mention also has to go to my Grandma's trifle—the holidays wouldn't be the same without it!​

What's on your Christmas wishlist?

I hope Santa is feeling generous because I really need a new sofa!

Kelly, Private Label Junior Buyer

How will you be celebrating this year? 

Every year, we visit extended family in Gippsland, Victoria. Our family have rural properties with heaps of animals and land. I love visiting the alpacas after Christmas Eve dinner. 

What's your favourite holiday memory? 

I grew up in the USA where Christmas means cold. Some of my best memories involve ice skating on Christmas Day on the pond in the woods behind our house in Massachusetts. That being said, I much prefer a sunny Australian Christmas. 

What's on your Christmas wishlist? 

I am hoping Santa delivers a new vase as I've gotten really interested in floral arrangements. I also hope he brings me some new cutlery! I am all about beautiful tablescapes at the moment and some pastel cutlery would be the cherry on top.

Allira, Stylist

How will you be celebrating this year? 

Christmas Eve dinner is hosted by my sister, who serves an impressive seafood degustation. Christmas morning, I create a beautiful tablescape for my family while my husband prepares homemade brioche, followed by exchanging presents. My mother-in-law hosts lunch with extended family, where we inevitably eat and laugh way too much! On Boxing Day, we host an extravagant dinner over candlelight for family and friends, ending the evening singing carols over acoustic guitar. Bliss! 

What's your favourite holiday memory?

My favourite memory is the year we purchased our home and were finally able to host loved ones over Christmas. I styled the table with dusty pink napery and blue orchids with homemade crackers, and got to set up a calming white and sage spare bedroom for guests. Making our guests feel truly welcome was the greatest gift, although nothing beats classic childhood memories where paper napkins and mismatched tinsel was the fanciest decorating we did (see above!). 

What's on your Christmas wishlist? 

Being linen obsessed, these striped cushions with flange border detailing are high on the wishlist.