If you know Blue Illusion’s co-founder, creative director and CEO, Donna Guest, you know that she does things wholeheartedly. The holidays are no exception. Chrismukkah in the Guest house is a woodland wonderland with abundant floral bouquets, an elaborate dinner, singing, dancing, and the comforting chaos of a big, multicultural family.
"When the children were young, we always travelled on Christmas day. We loved just taking off and having a little holiday together somewhere,” Donna shares. “As they got older and had children of their own, it became important to be home for that day.”
“That’s when I started to have a big celebration with friends and extended family. We call it ‘Chrismukkah,’ she laughs. “It’s our way of bringing families together, and we put a lot of effort into it.”
La préparation de la fête
The night before the party, Donna’s close friend and owner of Le Salon Aux Fleurs in Armadale, Steven Maccora, comes over to fill the house with greenery and floral arrangements.
“We take ivy vines and other foliage from our garden and twist them along chandeliers and over the fireplace mantel. It looks beautiful, and anyone can do it with the foliage they have in their yard,” she says.
The grandchildren also participate in holiday preparations, baking gingerbread men, weaving wollen pompoms as ornaments for the Christmas trees, and decorating Christmas-themed candles for the menorah with coloured beeswax. “Candle decorating is another festive activity that anyone can do, no matter what you celebrate. It keeps the children busy, and they love it!” she adds.
And, bien sûr, no celebration is complete without a signature cocktail. “I have to come clean and say that my son-in-law taught me this recipe, but it happens to be the drink of the season,” Donna confesses, referring to their blueberry gin & tonic with fresh rosemary. “It’s really simple but so refreshing!”
Le jour de Noël
“One tradition that’s extended into the business,” Donna reveals, “is that we love to all wear the same pyjamas on Christmas morning and take family photos,” referring to our annual pyjama collaboration with Nathalie Lété.
“This is why we design men's and children’s pyjamas this time of year,” she laughs. “It’s mainly because I want to be able to dress my whole family in Nathalie Lété on Christmas morning.”
When asked, “Why Natalie Lété?” she says, “Everything Nathalie does is around her childhood, and it’s very whimsical and unique to her. She lives in this fantasy world, and I love that. I want to bring that sense of childhood wonder into the home as well.”
As for her Christmas Day look, Donna plans to pare back the Sequin Skirt from our Étoile collection with a white shirt and a flat heel “to scoot around in and run after everybody.”
If you’re still sorting out your holiday wardrobe, we’ve got you covered with a full season of special occasion dresses to come.
“Leading up to Christmas, we’ve got the most stunning red dress for a more traditional Christmas look or a fun, off-the-shoulder dress in a warm eggplant colour that could also take you into New Year's Eve.”
And if you’re looking for linens to decorate your holiday table, “There will be gorgeous linens in a blue-and-white border print with seashells, starfish, and seahorses,” Donna shares. This year's theme is a seaside Christmas, so look out for chic and fun gift ideas leading up to the holidays!
À bientôt!
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