Holidays with Alexis McMullin

To celebrate the upcoming holidays, we sit down with Alexis McMullin, a creative storyteller and mother to Penny and August, whose approach to family life is guided by intention, beauty, and quiet ritual. From observing Advent to collecting heirloom books and ornaments gathered on family travels, her festive season is shaped by meaning as much as magic.

Q: The holidays often carry a beautiful blend of nostalgia and new rituals; what traditions have become anchors for your family during Thanksgiving and Christmas?

A: I just love this time of year and how the festive season encourages everyone to be intentional about spending time together. My favorite new family tradition is observing Advent. The 4 Sundays leading up to advent we embrace the 4 themes, Hope, Joy, Love and Peace. We light the candles and have a family discussion about each theme and why they are important. This new tradition has enriched the holiday season for my whole family making it less about the gifts under the tree and more about the true meaning of Christmas.

Q: With your love of heirloom books, toys, and clothing, are there pieces you bring out just for this time of year, things that hold family history or make the holidays feel that little bit more special?

A: Oh yes! The moment the weather turns cold my children are asking to bring out our Maileg gingerbread house + 2 small house elves. They enjoy decorating the tiny abode with miniature festive furniture + objects- it is darling. I also have a passion for children's literature, and our family eagerly anticipates reading time during the holidays when we get to get out our boxes of festive books from storage. Each year, I wrap several new books and place them under the tree. On December 1st, the children get to unwrap these books, which then become part of our cherished holiday book collection. It has been so fun to see which books remain the children's favorites and which fall out of favor through the years.

Q: With young children, the festive season takes on a new kind of wonder. What feels most magical through their eyes?

A: Watching my children experience intangible joy from this magical time of year is the best. Like how excited they get about the first snow fall and making snow angels outside. Or helping them write letters to Santa and jotting down all the other things they want to tell him. I feel honored to get to be a part of their magical world and make their childhood special.

Q: You use colour and pattern so beautifully in your home. How does that sensibility influence the way you shape your space for the holidays?

A: Curating my wrapping collection is a passion I pursue all year. When the holiday season arrives, I draw from my stashes to select festive florals, moody winter hues, and whimsical vintage patterns rather than traditional holiday prints. I love to mix prints + patterns of the ribbons and papers. I make homemade tags and garnish the gifts with dried oranges, tiny bells, cinnamon sticks, tapered candles, or playing cards. I love the art of gifting and believe the wrapping is just as special as the gift given. I wrap gifts early in the season to utilize the colors and textures of the papers to create a focal point in our overall home decor.

My ornament collection has grown over the years primarily from our family’s travels, with some hailing from NYC, the Cotswolds, and Southern France. This started as my personal collection- before having children. But through the years it has become a family affair. We all pick out a few ornaments and vote on which ones should be boxed up to bring home and add to the family tree.