Every December, our homes fill with fairy lights, ribbons, the scent of pine, and something deeper — memory, story, and soul.

This year, I wanted to create something truly special: a single Christmas celebration where all the women I’ve written about through the years return for one magical night.

Each woman brings her own world, her own aesthetic, her own history — and each lays a Christmas table in a style only she could imagine.

Welcome to A Claiming Life Christmas, where inspiration meets nostalgia, elegance meets warmth, and every room reveals a different kind of wonder.

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 A Rococo Christmas With Marie Antoinette

Pastel opulence • Florals • Sugared delights

Marie Antoinette’s Christmas is a dreamy escape into pastel whimsy.

House & Tree Décor:

 

• Crystal chandeliers draped with blush pink ribbons
• Bouquets of peonies, roses, and delicate blooms on mantels and side tables
• Pastel-colored ornaments and gilded miniature figurines on the tree
• Soft silk garlands and pearl strings cascading along banisters

Christmas Table:

 

• Rose-tinted glassware and gold-rimmed plates
• Embroidered linen napkins and lace runners
• Towering petits gâteaux and pastel macarons arranged like mini Versailles displays
• Candlelight in crystal holders casting a soft, romantic glow

 

Maximalism wrapped in delicacy — a Rococo fairytale where Christmas feels sweet, elegant, and endlessly feminine.

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 A Castlecore Christmas With Catherine the Great

Imperial grandeur • Velvet • Candlelit history

Catherine the Great hosts Christmas inside a candlelit palace — the embodiment of Castlecore elegance.

House & Tree Décor:

• Grand evergreen trees with deep emerald and sapphire baubles
• Heavy velvet drapes and tapestries lining the walls
• Classical busts and gilded frames accented with pine and juniper garlands
• Golden candelabras and wall sconces casting dramatic light

 

Christmas Table:

 

• Opulent velvet tablecloths and ornate silverware
• Crystal goblets and polished chargers
• Richly decorated fruit displays, roasted meats, and dark breads
• Garlands of pine, juniper, and gold ribbon woven along the table

 

A Christmas for lovers of history, strength, and old-world magnificence.

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 A Black-and-Gold Christmas With Coco Chanel

Quiet luxury • Parisian glamour • Minimalist chic

Coco Chanel’s Christmas is sleek, modern, and impossibly chic.

House & Tree Décor:

• Matte black and gold ornaments on a sculptural tree
• Minimalist vases with single white camellias throughout the home
• Monochrome throws and pillows with subtle metallic accents
• Candlelight reflecting off black-and-gold picture frames

 

Christmas Table:

 

• Black plates with gold cutlery and crisp white linen
• Champagne flutes catching the glow of tall black candlesticks
• A few carefully placed evergreen sprigs with black ribbon
• Elegant chocolates or macarons in gold boxes as table accents

 

A Chanel Christmas is not loud — it’s a confident glow of timeless beauty.

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 A Little Women Christmas

Warmth • Family • Rustic simplicity

Step into Orchard House and join the March sisters for a heart-centred, literary Christmas.

House & Tree Décor:

• Natural pine boughs intertwined with cranberry garlands
• Beeswax candles in simple holders throughout the home
• Wooden shelves stacked with classic books, ornaments, and handmade crafts
• A modest tree decorated with hand-sewn ornaments, dried fruit, and ribbon

 

Christmas Table:

• Gingham or simple linen tablecloths
• Hot biscuits, winter pies, oranges studded with cloves, and a fresh loaf in the centre
• Earthenware plates and mugs, with small bouquets of winter herbs for decoration
• Warm, inviting candlelight creating a homely glow

 

A Little Women Christmas reminds us that beauty is found in togetherness and the quiet kindness of the season.

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 A Rustic Cottagecore Christmas With Martha Stewart

Homestead charm • Fresh greenery • Craftsmanship

Martha Stewart’s Christmas is the perfect blend of cozy and curated.

House & Tree Décor:

 

• Evergreen trees adorned with pinecones, dried flowers, and twine bows
• Handmade wreaths and garlands on doors and mantels
• Neutral-colored throws and cushions creating a warm, layered effect
• Mason jars, candles, and wooden accents throughout the rooms

 

Christmas Table:

 

• Stoneware plates on wooden chargers
• Mismatched candlesticks with burning beeswax candles
• Herbal touches like rosemary, sage, and thyme across the centre
• Home-baked cookies and rustic breads arranged on wooden boards

 

It’s warm, grounding, and timeless — the Christmas everyone wishes they could recreate.

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 A British Old Money Christmas With Laura Ashley

Heritage elegance • Floral charm • Cozy countryside warmth

Laura Ashley’s Christmas is a nostalgic return to the English countryside.

House & Tree Décor:

 

• Evergreen trees with subtle floral or pastel ornaments
• Tartan throws, quilted cushions, and cozy nooks by the fireplace
• Delicate china displayed on cabinets or shelves
• Traditional holly, ivy, and floral garlands framing windows and doorways

 

Christmas Table:

 

• Floral tablecloths and matching napkins
• China teacups, porcelain plates, and silver cutlery
• Candles in vintage holders creating a soft, inviting glow
• Seasonal treats like mince pies, scones, and a traditional Christmas pudding

 

This is the Christmas of quiet luxury — understated, charming, and perfectly British.

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 And Finally… A Claiming Life Christmas

All these women — icons, queens, creators, dreamers — gather in one place, not divided by time or country, but united in the timeless beauty of womanhood and creativity.

A Claiming Life Christmas is:

 

• A celebration of feminine strength
• A tribute to beauty in all its forms
• A reminder that every woman has her own story, her own style, her own Christmas

 

This year, may your home reflect the woman you are becoming — bold like Catherine, dreamy like Marie Antoinette, elegant like Chanel, warm like Little Women, grounded like Martha Stewart, or heritage-rich like Laura Ashley.

Because Christmas isn’t one aesthetic.

It’s all of them.

And it’s yours to claim.