The 12 Days of Christmas Traditions

For the 12 Days of Christmas, our guests from Season 1 of Couture and Construction share their favorite holiday traditions!

1

On the 1st day of Christmas, Richard said to me…

“Growing up, my polish grandmother always had a box of vintage caroling cards and would lead us in holiday sing-alongs. It is a fond childhood memory and my parents keep it going to this day, sharing the holiday joy.”

Richard T. Anuszkiewicz, Design Galleria Kitchen & Bath, Richar Living


On the 2nd day of Christmas, Marie-Joe said to me…

2

“One of my favorite holiday traditions growing up was that my dad would always get the tree and decorate it in secret. We never knew when we would get up in the morning and discover the tree in its place, decorated to perfection with heirloom ornaments and tinsel. My parents also hid chocolates in the tree, and it was so fun to be looking for them amongst the ornaments. One year, he did not do the tree until the 23rd of December. My brother and I were really starting to worry. The element of surprise definitely made it exciting to me. I clearly inherited my parent’s tendencies for untraditional “traditions” which translates into my design even: my favorite rule is for sure is to ignore most of the rules, ha!”

Marie-Joe Bouffard, JFY Designs


3

On the 3rd day of Christmas, Lori said to me…

“Our favorite holiday tradition is on Christmas Eve, we pile up in the car and drive around looking at Christmas lights. It’s almost a cliché, but we all love it!”

Lori Paranjape, Mrs. Paranjape


On the 4th day of Christmas, Debbie said to me…

4

“I love Christmas Eve and all the anticipation that goes along with the night! We attend a Christmas Eve service, then return to my home for a beautiful seated dinner with extended family. This year will look a bit different with immediate family only, but I will still pull out all the stops to create a beautiful tablescape with fresh flowers, greenery, and candlelight. I always use lots of metallic gold in my Christmas decor, which lends a festive and sophisticated touch. We usually dress up, sip champagne, and listen to classic Christmas carols. The evening ends with a rowdy game of Bingo played for prizes – hands down one of my favorite nights of the year!”

Debbie Mathews, Debbie Mathews Designs and Antiques


On the 5th day of Christmas, Evan said to me…

5

“One of my favorite holiday traditions is perusing shops & estate sales for vintage holiday decorative accessories months before I even begin to decorate. During the spring and summer months, it’s not only readily available, I often find it at a better price point.”

Evan Millard, Modern Remains


On the 6th day of Christmas, Caroline said to me…

6

“Growing up, my parents always drove me and my sister around town to look at lights on Christmas Eve. We would bundle up in pajamas and blankets, grab dinner at Sonic (we would leave a huge tip for the Christmas Eve workers!), and drive through all the best neighborhoods blasting Christmas music. I do this now with my husband (minus the Sonic dinner, but I always make homemade hot cocoa), and it’s one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime. I look forward to carrying on the tradition when we have kids in the future!”

Caroline Sharpnack, Interiors & Lifestyle Photographer


On the 7th day of Christmas, Kelly said to me…

7

“I have so many favorite holiday traditions! But, one of my favorites is going to see Santa. My Mom started me when I was a baby and I have had a picture [taken] with him every single year! For those of you counting, that is 52 pictures with the guy in red.”

Kelly Ladwig, Village Real Estate, @homeonanashvillehill


On the 8th day of Christmas, Julie said to me…

8

“Everything at Christmas time is more fun with children! The excitement I see on the faces of Gus and Marlowe at even the smallest things brings me such joy. We seem to add a new “tradition” every year, but we have two things that we’ve done since Gus was 2. A couple of weeks before Christmas we make and paint Christmas ornaments that we use to decorate our tree and scatter around the house, and on Christmas Day we assemble and decorate gingerbread houses. They’re always messy and imperfect but so much fun!”

Julie Couch, Julie Couch Interiors


9

On the 9th day of Christmas, Kimberly said to me…

“A few of my favorite holiday traditions are forcing amaryllis bulbs in vintage terracotta pots, overloading the Christmas tree with old school silver tinsel, and building the gingerbread house. With an interior designer and an architect in the house this can get serious fast.”

Kimberly Kelly, K7 Interior Design


On the 10th day of Christmas, Shane said to me…

10

“At 51 years old I still enjoy seeing all of the ornaments that my brother and I made as small children on my Mother’s Christmas tree. She still packs our stockings that we had as children with oranges, apples, and walnuts. Oh, the joys of Christmas and the special times spent with family.”

Shane Holt, Botsko Builders


On the 11th day of Christmas, Ashley said to me…

11

“My favorite holiday traditions are putting our Christmas tree up with our kids, cooking and eating wonderful winter-themed dishes, making eggnog, and getting together with friends and family. My husband loves the older style C9 and C7 colored lights from his childhood and they adorn our house and tree each year.”

Ashley Brown, APN, MSN, RN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse⁠ Practitioner


On the 12th day of Christmas, Kimberly said to me…

12

“One year, on Christmas Eve night, after my sister and I had opened up all our presents, a white envelope appeared on the Christmas tree with our names on it. Inside was a clue, a Christmas riddle that led us on an adventure. We were so excited! Each clue led to the next. Once we figured it out, my sister and I would race, laughing and squealing to the next one—each of us wanting to be the first to find it. Finally, the last clue came, and we found two envelopes, one for each of us. We opened it up to $1, $5, $10, and $20 bills that added up to my father’s age. It was the best Christmas ever, what kid doesn’t want cold, hard cash! We jumped up and down so excited for the Christmas surprise. That started a tradition that still lives on today. My father has passed now, but my Mom has kept the tradition alive, with my niece and nephews joining in the fun. Every year has a new theme filled with Christmas music and matching riddles that take us all over the house looking for Christmas treasure.”

Kimberly Greenwell, My Southern Home TV

Merry Christmas from the Textures Nashville Team!

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