Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Bonus Episode: Suzanne Kasler's Holiday House Tour 2025
Host: Ballard Designs (Caroline, Karen)
Guest: Suzanne Kasler
Date: December 22, 2025
Main Theme & Purpose
This bonus episode brings listeners behind the scenes of Suzanne Kasler’s famously festive home, as featured in Ballard Designs’ YouTube holiday house tour. Suzanne, a self-confessed Christmas enthusiast and Ballard Designs partner, shares her philosophy on holiday decorating, collecting traditions, and creating beautiful, evolving holiday spaces. The discussion covers practical strategies, aesthetic insights, and meaningful traditions—perfect for inspiring both seasoned holiday decorators and those just starting their collections.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Suzanne’s Passion for Christmas & Collecting [01:04–03:44]
- Lifelong Christmas Enthusiast: Suzanne reveals, “I have always loved Christmas. And the best thing is when I became a partner with Ballard, you embraced my love of Christmas.” [01:22, Suzanne]
- Year-Round Collector: She collects ornaments and decor year-round, buying multiples to maximize impact.
- Ballard Collaborations: Inspirations from her finds often influence Ballard’s holiday products.
How to Display Collections Beautifully [02:08–05:07]
- Avoiding the "Yard Sale" Look: Suzanne groups similar items together—“If you can put your collections together...they have an impact and don’t look so cluttery.” [02:45, Suzanne]
- Intentional Grouping: Mixing collections with real greenery helps create intentional, chic displays.
- Nutcracker Tip: “If you spread them out through the house, they kind of lose the impact or the specialness of that collection.” [04:24, Suzanne]
- Practical Tip: Rotate collections—don’t feel pressured to use everything every year.
Multiple Trees & Themed Experiences [06:19–08:05]
- The Three-Tree System: Each tree in Suzanne’s house has a distinctive theme:
- Living Room: Refined, muted ornaments.
- Family Room: Memory-rich, sentimental ornaments.
- Upstairs Landing: Teddy bear collection surrounds the base.
- Adaptable Traditions: Some years, certain collections come out, like the family train for grandchildren.
- Ribbon as a Game-Changer: “The biggest change is your...what color ribbon you’re using that year.” [08:05, Suzanne]
Strategies for Decorating Efficiently [08:06–09:49]
- Timeframe: Takes “three or four days” to fully decorate. It’s “intense,” but rewarding. [09:23–09:49]
- Setting a Deadline: Start right after Thanksgiving/December 1st for maximum enjoyment.
Live vs Faux Greenery [11:00–12:12]
- Mix & Match: One real tree (family room); the rest are high-quality faux. All wreaths and garlands are real if possible.
- Flocked Trees: Prefers minimally flocked, blending with room’s vibe.
Color Schemes: Matching or Contrasting [12:12–15:51]
- Red & Green Loyalty: “I love traditional red and green Christmas. It's the one time it's strong, vibrant.” [12:33, Suzanne]
- Influence of Design Trends: Varied approaches each year—neutrals, metallics, or rustic themes.
- Exterior Ribbons: Suzanne suggests matching the home’s color story but loves a bold contrast as well. “For your (olive green) house, I would do our black watch plaid ribbon...” [14:31, Suzanne]
- Seasonal Accessories: Special pillows, throws, aprons come out only for December.
Making Space for Christmas [15:59–18:18]
- Editing the Home: Suzanne moves furniture and accessories to make room, creating a temporary, magical transformation.
- Fresh Perspective: Post-Christmas re-styling brings new energy: “Sometimes when I get ready to put the things back...it makes me rethink them.” [17:48, Suzanne]
- Like Rotating a Wardrobe: Rediscovering forgotten treasures adds excitement.
Entertaining & Hosting Wisdom [18:21–22:59]
- Annual Office Party: Highlights include dinner, thoughtfully set tables, and team camaraderie.
- Hosting Tips:
- Tackle prep in stages—get “everything out, then edit, edit, edit.”
- Focus on the post-work reward: Christmas music, fires, friends around.
- Consider simplified gatherings, e.g., dessert after dining out.
- Tradition Flexibility: Family traditions adapt as families grow and change (“the tradition is gonna change...we will go to their house for Christmas morning instead of everyone coming here” [21:52, Suzanne]).
- Signature Drinks Rule: Champagne and white wine only—“If you have red wine in your house, it’ll be spilled. I do have red wine, but if you’re sitting down at the table...” [22:41, Suzanne]
Family Memories & Baby-Proofing [23:48–25:50]
- New Generations: “It's so fun...It is gonna be a whole different fun change in our Christmas traditions.” [23:51, Suzanne]
- Baby-Proofing: Family room tables cleared, but the beauty of the decor captivates even toddlers.
Traditions: Past, Present, and DIY [25:55–30:48]
- Roots of Collecting: Inspired by her grandmother’s love for antiques and family outings.
- Miniature Rooms: Suzanne creates intricate Christmas miniature rooms displayed under Plexiglas—both a personal hobby and a conversation piece.
- Unique Finds: Advocates for buying treasured ornaments in multiples, since “they don’t make them anymore.” [29:38, Suzanne]
- Memorable Gifting: Friends add to her collection yearly with sterling silver ornaments displayed in a silver bowl—“It's that memory that I love about the holidays.” [30:48, Suzanne]
The Meaning of the Season [30:48–31:00]
- Spirit of Sharing: “That’s the whole spirit of the season...sharing the joy.” [30:50, Karen & Suzanne]
- Encouragement: Invest the time—“Three days, three or four days, really get your Christmas all done, and just how much joy it will bring you for the entire month.” [26:57, Suzanne]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “If you can put your collections together...they have an impact and don’t look so cluttery.” — Suzanne [02:45]
- “There's no pressure to use it all every year...maybe it makes them more special the next time you pull them out.” — Karen [06:06]
- “The biggest change is...what color ribbon you’re using that year.” — Suzanne [08:05]
- “For your house, I would do our black watch plaid ribbon...I love that with that kind of coloring.” — Suzanne [14:31]
- “You have to move things out of the way to make room for Christmas.” — Suzanne [16:08]
- “Tradition is gonna change. We will go to their house for Christmas morning instead of everyone coming here.” — Suzanne [21:52]
- “If you have red wine in your house, it'll be spilled...I only serve red wine if you're sitting at dinner.” — Suzanne [22:41]
- “What I love most about Christmas is you have this beautiful box...interesting or sparkly or bring back memories.” — Suzanne [25:55]
- “It's that memory that I love about the holidays.” — Suzanne [30:48]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:04] Suzanne’s Christmas obsession & collecting ethos
- [02:21] How to avoid the "yard sale" look in holiday decor
- [03:44] The story behind her ornament collections
- [06:19] Rotating holiday collections & making traditions flexible
- [08:06] Getting real about the time investment (three to four days!)
- [11:00] Choosing between real and faux trees/greenery
- [12:33] On color traditions vs. decorating trends
- [14:31] Tailoring color schemes to your home's exterior
- [16:08] Making space: editing your home for the holidays
- [18:21] Hosting holiday gatherings & handling overwhelm
- [21:52] Flexible family traditions as families grow
- [23:48] Adapting for young children & baby-proofing
- [25:55] The roots of Suzanne’s collecting and her DIY miniatures
- [29:38] Secret to special ornaments: buy in multiples!
- [30:50] Closing thoughts on the spirit of the season
Tone & Style
The conversation is warm, enthusiastic, and practical—reflecting Suzanne’s deep love of tradition, collecting, and hospitality. There is an inviting, encouraging tone, with lots of actionable suggestions and stories that make even elaborate holiday decor feel accessible and personal.
This episode offers inspiration and practical wisdom for making holiday decorating meaningful and manageable, while celebrating both tradition and flexibility. Suzanne’s philosophy: focus on impact, memory, and joy—because “it is my favorite time of year.” [26:58, Suzanne]