Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 445: Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 3 – Carson Kressley’s Holiday Must-Haves

Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Ballard Designs Team (primarily Liz & co-hosts)
Guest: Carson Kressley

Episode Overview

This episode revisits a lively and insightful past conversation (originally episode 386) with Carson Kressley—style icon, TV personality (Queer Eye, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Get a Room), and expert holiday entertainer. Carson shares his favorite tips, traditions, and “must-haves” for stress-free, memory-filled, and stylish holiday hosting and decorating. From Thanksgiving strategy and guest room prep to tree-trimming parties and the secret to a winning buffet, Carson’s advice blends luxury with practical ease, always with a personal, joyful touch.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Kickoff and Holiday Transition

• Decor Flow: Carson celebrates fall with “mounds of pumpkins and gourds” at his Pennsylvania farm, keeping autumn-specific décor until Thanksgiving ends before he transitions to holiday greens.

  • Quote: “I am not a person who puts up holiday, you know, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's decor before Thanksgiving is over. I like to do the whole fall thing. Salute to the pilgrims, Indian corn, like, very traditional.” (Carson, 05:08)

• Friendsgiving & Family: Hosts Thanksgiving lunch for NYC friends at his farm, followed by dinner at his mom’s, bookending the holiday with both friend and family time.

• Hosting the Parade: Every year, Carson hosts the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, balancing morning broadcasting with meal prepping.

• Tree-Trimming Party Tradition:

  • Black Friday is for leftovers and a tree-trimming bash where guests help decorate multiple trees while reminiscing over travel-themed ornaments.
  • Quote: “We do a tree trimming party… It’s such a great way to talk about all the memories of each ornament. I like to collect an ornament when I travel.” (Carson, 05:09)

[06:55–08:32]

• Managing Prep and Timing:

  • Preps all side dishes and sets the table the night before.
  • Utilizes multiple ovens and countertop convection for efficiency.
  • Emphasizes working backward from a timeline for stress-free execution.

• Guest Rooms:

  • Color-coordinated towels and fresh amenities; checks lists week in advance.
  • Quote: “My bedrooms are all kind of color coded...I do matching towels for each room… keeps it really organized.” (Carson, 09:22)

2. Decorating for the Holidays: Trees, Wreaths & Garlands

• Artificial vs. Real Trees:
  • Artificial trees now favored for ease and storage, but nostalgia for real trees remains.
  • Multiple trees (4 at the farm) – each with unique theme and ornament collection.

[17:57–19:25]

• Tree Lighting & Ornamentation:

  • Prefers abundant, layered lighting ("more is more").
  • Mixes light sizes and colors, especially adding larger 1950s-style bulbs for a nostalgic vibe.
  • Themed trees per room: colorful casual tree for travel ornaments, chic flocked tree with metallics in formal spaces.

• Ornament Organization:

  • Each tree’s ornaments/lights stored in labeled boxes for easy set-up.

• Mixing Trends & Tradition:

  • Will tweak decor with trendy touches—like ribbons, feathers, organic accents—especially on smaller or secondary trees.
  • Quote: “My two big trees… I keep those pretty much the same. But maybe one year...I'm gonna add, like, pheasant feathers to some of the branches. So they're always evolving.” (Carson, 21:36)

[23:43–24:56]

• Wreaths and Garland:

  • Loves fresh magnolia wreaths and garlands—calls them "chic and classic," and not just for doors.
  • Tips to supplement artificial garland with fresh clippings; recommends foraging from your own yard or nearby green spaces.

• Room-Tailored Decor:

  • Decor color schemes adapt to a room’s existing palette—never overhauls the space or buys all-new bedding/art.
  • Quote: "I don't do the same holiday color story throughout my house. I do it based on the room." (Carson, 28:13)

3. Hosting & Entertaining: Meals, Guests, and Party Tips

• Holiday Menus:
  • Thanksgiving dinner is always leftovers with pies (“we know our way around a good pie”).
  • Christmas Eve is an Italian-themed night (lasagna, feast-of-fishes vibes), championing make-ahead dishes.

[35:10–39:27]

• Hosting Style:
  • Prefers to manage the kitchen alone—“I’m very bossy, naturally.”
  • Stresses a well-stocked bar; has a dedicated bar area at the farm.
  • Hires a bartender for big parties (“worth it for organization and freeing up the host”), and sometimes a local teen for coat check.
  • Uses rolling racks for coats and even to organize outfits for trips or events (“it goes back to my stylist days”).

4. Party Food: Simple but Showstopping

[44:32–47:02]

• NYC Christmas Party Menu:

  • Secret weapon: Kentucky Fried Chicken tenders on a silver platter with homemade champagne mustard dip.
  • Adds southern touches, spiral ham & biscuits, cheese trays, and “party classics” like pigs-in-a-blanket.
  • Quote: “People go mad over that… it can be really, really simple.” (Carson, 44:32)

• Drinkware & Presentation:

  • Custom monogrammed frosted plastic cups (American Stationery) and matching cocktail napkins for all parties—washed and reused.
  • Presentation matters: Silver platters, chic throws—“homemade sauces make the difference.”
  • Parties focus on crowd-pleasers, not culinary complexity.

• Hosting Mindset:

  • Iterative improvement & low pressure: “Each year you can kind of iterate and make it better... just start having people over, and then you can build your arsenal.”
  • Quote: “Simple and delicious and simple and good looking… that’s always going to be appreciated by your guests.” (Carson, 50:10)

5. Listener Q&A – Window Sill Styling (Pia from Sweden)

[52:55–61:47]

• Listener asks for window sill décor ideas due to dark winters, radiators, and lack of privacy concerns.

Carson’s Tips:

• Plants in beautiful pots are always a win (“the go-to is a plant in the window”).

• Small lamps in windows create warmth, charm, and signal hospitality from outside.

• Cautions against decorative items prone to fading.

• Suggests:

  • Highlight the window frame—paint/lacquer in a contrasting shade for a statement.
  • If curtains are present, try cafe curtains with slim black rods for a textile backdrop.
  • Monochrome accessories and varied heights/textures keep it cohesive, not cluttered.

• Quote: “You can also kind of make the window the superstar...make the window frame the actual star.” (Carson, 57:14)

• Hosts echo: think texture, shape, height, negative space; reviewer is already “doing it right.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On involving guests in decor:
  “Come for a relaxing weekend in the country, and one day we'll be relaxing, and the next day you'll be on a ladder hanging a magnolia swag from my foyer chandelier.”
  – Carson (14:55)

• On monogrammed party cups:
  “I am a person who washes their plastic throwaway cups. And I reuse them again because I'm guilty. And I also just feel like, why not?”
  – Carson (47:52)

• On mastering hosting:
  “You build kind of like your framework and you make it foolproof, and then you can just focus on having fun.”
  – Carson (50:10)

• On pressure to impress as a host:
  “People just want to get together… your guests are not at all putting that pressure on you. They're happy to be included.”
  – Ballard Host (52:14)

• On “Lasagna Christmas” practicality:
  “As much as a pain in the neck the lasagna is, at least you can make it even two weeks in advance and put it in the freezer…”
  – Ballard Host (34:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:20: Episode intro; why revisit this conversation with Carson
• 05:09–08:32: Thanksgiving strategy, prepping, guest traditions, tree-trimming party
• 09:13–12:31: Guest room prep and color-coded amenity system
• 14:55–19:25: Tree transition—artificial/real, lighting, ornament storage, tree themes
• 21:36–23:43: Mixing trends: ribbons, natural elements
• 23:43–28:06: Wreaths, garlands, fresh greenery, matching décor to each room
• 28:13–31:53: Room-by-room color schemes, tailoring décor for your home
• 32:32–37:16: Christmas at the farm, Italian holiday menu, importance of make-ahead entrees
• 35:10–39:27: Entertaining logistics; bar set-up, extra helpers—bartenders & coat checks
• 44:32–47:43: KFC tenders party food, buffet tips, and serving with style
• 47:52–49:42: Monogrammed party ware for a personal touch
• 50:10–52:14: Hosting mindset: build your system, focus on connection
• 52:55–61:47: Listener Q&A – window sill décor, plants, lighting, and styling advice

Carson’s Current Projects

[62:09–64:05]

• Judge/host on Food Network’s "Barbecue Brawl"
• Longtime judge on "RuPaul’s Drag Race" (MTV, season 17)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race Live in Las Vegas at the Flamingo
• Active on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes
• Loves flea marketing—look for him at antique markets like Scott’s (Atlanta), Round Top (TX)

Tone & Takeaways

• Fun, accessible, and generous—Carson blends high style and tradition with a down-to-earth, you-can-do-this approach.
• Focus is on creating warmth, memories, and beauty by being strategic and thoughtful, not overwhelmed.
• Encourages listeners to repeat what works, add personal or regional touches, and keep hosting iteratively simple.
• Reminds hosts (and would-be hosts) that the goal is joy and togetherness—not over-the-top perfection.

If you’re looking for fresh, approachable holiday inspiration with a dash of sparkle and plenty of practical tips, this episode is a must-listen—for rookie and experienced hosts alike.