Publisher Renee Dee shares what she loves most about Thanksgiving and the holiday season.
With Thanksgiving and the holidays upon us, it’s my wish for each of you to be surrounded by the ones you love and the ones who love you. In this hustle and bustle of this time of year, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is a little peace and the time to be present with the joys of the season.
For me, that is spending time with as Julie Andrews says, “A Few of My Favorite Things.” (By the way, I typically play “The Sound of Music” in the background of my baking, wrapping and table setting multiple times each December…and if I’m alone, I’ll belt out every word of every song.)
Renee Dee, Photo by Carlye Klick
What I love doing this time of year is entertaining and making my home beautiful. Starting with Thanksgiving—it’s always been my favorite holiday—it’s a moment in gratitude for the many gifts we’ve all been given and for the fortunate moments that have created joy and success in our lives. I love the tradition of it all—for more than 30 years, I’ve made my grandmother’s cranberry relish to grace the table and share with friends.
As the season picks up speed, I unpack a full holiday install of accent pillows, throws, arrangements and accessories to really bring the holiday season alive. Then I visit the tree lot with my son, and we take joy in selecting a live tree that will make the house smell amazing! I love baking for friends, as I feel homemade treats are heartfelt expressions of gratitude for the year that has just gone by.
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By Christmas Eve, my favorite tradition is to entertain with a full presentation of caviar and all the accoutrement. I use my mother-of-pearl spoons and scalloped dishes. I bring out the crystal and the fine linen, and my favorite sterling silver champagne bucket holds a bottle of Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé. Twinkling lights and lots of candles make this evening the most romantic of the year.
As the end of 2022 comes to a close, it will again be time for me to spend time in my annual goal-setting ritual to start the New Year off right. It’s been a tradition of mine for almost three decades, and it makes me feel grounded and so grateful. If you want to join me this year, I will share my process on iconiclife.com.
For me, the holidays are joyous for all the expected traditions and unexpected moments. The most important thing is to take time to savor both.
I look towards 2023 with great excitement…we have a special issue celebrating all that is fun and exciting about luxury living in Arizona for visitors who will enjoy everything from the Barrett-Jackson car auction to the WM Phoenix Open to the Big Game that is in our town this year.
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For me, the holidays are joyous for all the expected traditions and unexpected moments. The most important thing is to take time to savor both.
This Thanksgiving, I am so very grateful for my amazing team at ICONIC LIFE, for my dear, dear friends and my son, who keeps my humble and always joyously amused. I am so grateful for the opportunity to Live Beautifully, and you all keep me stretching to tell the stories of those who are leading the way.
Wishing you a lovely holiday season no matter what you are celebrating and great joy, health and happiness in the New Year.
With Gratitude,
Renee M. Dee
Publisher
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