Last month, I reminded you all of how our creative staff spends a good bit of time living in the future: holiday shopping in the summer for November’s gift guide and listening to vintage carols in the fall as we ​roll into producing this annual Holiday issue. As you can imagine, by the time December arrives, we’ve already moved months ahead, into the New Year, and could use a little help getting back into the spirit of it all. Note to self: reread this edition; it’s chock-full of the merry and bright accoutrements of the season.

First up, the decorations. For the ultimate in glimmering inspiration, read our cover story, “Designed to Dazzle” (page 92), on John and Will Hardee’s Queen Street manse. You may remember this gorgeous house from the cover of our April 2024 Home & Garden issue. When I first scouted it in December 2023, it was similarly decked, inside and out, with garland, wreaths, bows, lights, and, count ’em, eight trees! It was so layered and striking, I made them promise we could shoot it the following year. I’m grateful to them for letting us capture its brilliance and to John for sharing his resources and expert design tips.

For brilliant light displays, it’s hard to beat Brookgreen Gardens’ Nights of a Thousand Candles, located about 80 miles up the coast in Murrells Inlet. While the experience is certainly worth the drive, with the new hotel and restaurants in nearby Georgetown, we decided to send a creative team—writer Stratton Lawrence, his photographer wife, Hunter McRae, and their two kids—to turn it into a weekend adventure. Check out their festive, family-friendly getaway in “A Hammock Coast Holiday” (page 116), and get planning for next year. 

For me, the holidays start with food, specifically tamales—a Christmas morning legacy from my West Coast childhood. While I’m sure you have your own must-have dishes, it never hurts to expand your repertoire, especially when friends, family, and neighbors will be dropping by. That’s why we brought back the “Holiday Cheer” feature from our recipe archives. Turn to page 104, where you’ll find a variety of punch and small bite recipes from local food-and-beverage pros. From a special mint tea and latkes for Hanukkah to a twist on Hoppin’ John and collards for New Year’s Day, they will have you party-ready for all manner of celebrations. 

And while I don’t know if I can achieve (or will even attempt) the Hardees’ level of splendor in my house, I will break out my mom’s vintage snowball punch bowl, mix up some Meyer lemon margaritas, and set out a tamale buffet that will have my family feeling merry and loved.

The magazine staff and I wish you a joyous holiday season. Enjoy!

Darcy Shankland
dshankland@charlestonmag.com