Holiday Traditions

“I host a formal yet intimate dinner for family and friends. It’s a chance for me to bring out my favorite pieces of china and serving pieces that I’ve collected over the years.”—Tara Shaw

“We host an Open House. Friends stop by around 4 p.m. for a spread of Virginia ham with beaten biscuits, caviar and potato chips, Chesapeake Bay crab salad and salted caramel cake. We always have plenty of Bloody Mary’s and champagne for our “grown-up” guests and a Shirley Temple for the children—complete with all of the garnishes and fun swizzle sticks.”—Chesie Breen

“I recently remarried, and it’s important to me and my husband that we establish our very own 'new traditions' with his children and mine. The weekend before Christmas, we host all of them and their families at our house in the low country at Brays Island Plantation. We celebrate their arrival with an oyster roast on the river, followed by an early- morning quail hunt and Bloody Mary brunch the next day. Later that evening, we celebrate as though it was actually Christmas Day.”—Beth Webb

“My father’s birthday was on Christmas Day. We would celebrate after Midnight Mass with a lavish breakfast—piles of cakes and champagne and tamales. We would stay up until all hours and, as a child, it was absolutely thrilling. Even now, the holiday still revolves around this ritual even if Mass is on the wretchedly early side.” —Patrick Dunne

"We always go Christmas caroling around the neighborhood with family and friends. It helps everyone slow down and focus on the season."—Tammy Connor