I’ve always wonder how celebrities prepare for Christmas. It is extravaganza? It is just like every other people? Where they shop and so on. Recently I’ve read about Heidi Klum preparation towards Christmas and a few more actresses and today I’m going to share with you one of my favourite celebrity’s Christmas preparation, and it’s none other than Gwyneth Paltrow!

Actress, author and lifestyle blogger Gwyneth Paltrow, is also the face of Hugo Boss’s latest perfume, BOSS Jour and BOSS Nuit. She is recently voted as People’s “Most Beautiful Woman”, admits that the Boss campaign is the perfect job for a busy mom like herself and she’s enjoying it! Let’s find out how busy mom and celebrity like Gwyneth Paltrow prepares for Christmas.

How far in advance do you start your Christmas shopping?

I generally start my Christmas shopping at least 2 months before. I like to get things personalized and my gifts usually require some advance time. I’m definitely a planner.

Do you rope anyone in to help you – are you a solo shopper or do you do it as an activity with friends?

I’m a solo shopper; I don’t rope my friends into it. I spend a lot of time searching for things on the internet.

You said you like to personalize your presents – is that getting things engraved on them?

Yes, I think it’s really nice that when someone opens a present it has something personal. Last year I gave everyone these beautiful handmade cutting boards, everyone in the family’s name was engraved on one side. I’ve done ceramic plates, jewellery with initials. It takes it from being a normal present to being something that’s actually really special and requires a lot of thought and planning.

Who your hardest friend or family member to shop for?

I think men are really hard to shop for, much harder than women. Probably my husband, my brother, my husband’s brothers – they’re usually the hardest.

What kind of Christmas Day rituals do you have as a family?

Our Christmas rituals are pretty much the same every year; it’s basically trying to keep the children in bed until at least 7am! Father Christmas always leaves a stocking at the end of their bed, which is great because then they wake up and they have lots of little bits to unwrap. Then they wake us up and they just go to town on the present opening. I do a lot of the cooking before Christmas but then I usually spend a lot of Christmas cooking too. All the smells, all of the mulled wine, all of the trimmings for the turkey. We like to have all the family around. A very traditional Christmas.

Here’s a video of Gwyneth Paltrow on gifting.

What about Gwyneth Paltrow’s “go-to” stylist-friend? How do this Vanity Fair Contributing Editor and International Social Editor prepares for her Christmas? Let’s find out.

Elizabeth Saltzman holds an elite and impressive stylist CV spanning the last 20 years of fashion. Editorially she has been at the forefront of fashion and has held a position at Vanity Fair since 1994 – previously as Fashion Director and now currently Contributing Editor and International Social Editor with a natural aptitude of having her finger on the pulse of fashion. Prior to Vanity Fair, she began her career at Vogue as Fashion Editor, a position she held for eight years. Now travelling between her homes in London and New York, Elizabeth is the “go-to” stylist for a plethora of A-List stars including Gwyneth Paltrow.

ON GIFTING

If you could pick the one gift that you want more than anything else this Christmas, what would it be?

A week away with my family – that is what I really want. Or the sentimental thing would be a piece of art from my children.

There is something really special about receiving personalized gifts at Christmas. Do you have any tips for gifts that you can personalize?

Nothing is more exciting to me than to think of someone and come up with something that will really work. Engraving on perfume bottles with their name and the date is a great gift. Or you can do little things; I always get monogrammed tote bags in various sizes, because everyone travels.

You and Gwyneth Paltrow are good friends. Do you exchange gifts at Christmas? Do you do joke gifts, sensible gifts, Secret Santa?

We do exchange gifts at Christmas. She is really clever, she always gives personalized gifts. I always try and think of gifts for her children – one idea for her children and one idea for her and her husband.

Would you say that you are a hard person to shop for?

No, because I like everything! I’m really happy with a little plant for example. I think I’m easy because I’m open to everything – I’ll try anything.

Who is your hardest person to shop for?

My husband is the hardest person to shop for because I really want to make him happy. I want it to be special.

When do you start your Christmas shopping?

I don’t plan. If I see something then and there I will buy it and hopefully I’ll remember that I bought it six months later. Whenever I see something that represents that person I always pick it up.

ON STYLE

There are a lot of parties at Christmas. What is the one outfit that people can have as a really safe option to throw on after work?

A little black dress! You can accessorize it well, you can put on some cute shimmery lip gloss. It’s got to be a little black dress.

What tips can you share to help transform an outfit to make it perfect for the festive season?

Accessories – it’s all about make up and accessories. You can add a hint of shimmer to your make up or a hint of glimmer with your jewellery. 

Hope you enjoyed this special insight on how Gwyneth Paltrow and her stylist-friend Elizabeth Saltzman prepares for Christmas, how they usually shop and what are their gift ideas 😀 . Merry Christmas!