Just because it’s Christmas, it doesn’t mean the Citizen Femme team will stop travelling. In fact, we’ll be more far-flung across the globe than ever.
This Christmas, we’ll be island-hopping in the Caribbean (Sheena, Founder), taking long walks in the rugged Scottish Highlands (Morag, Citizen Enfants Editor), taking a dip in the Cornish sea (Grace, Partnerships Director), dancing our way around Paris (Ella, Editorial Assistant), and much, much more.
Here’s how the Citizen Femme team will be spending Christmas Day, 2023.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
Woman tourist walking in Philipsburg harbor, St Maarten, popular port of call for cruise ship travel destination. Netherlands Antilles.
I will spend this Christmas in St Maarten in the Caribbean. I couldn’t be more excited to get some winter sun but I will absolutely be bringing all that is British with me, mince pies included. Sundays at Belmond’s La Samanna are calling me for long lunches and ocean dips with my kids; the boho-chic Caribbean vibe combined with the French glamour and laissez-faire vibe makes it a regular haunt. I’m looking forward to tennis and outdoor sunrise yoga, plus a trip or two to Anguilla, Antigua and St Barths – which are all within 30 minutes of St Maarten, making them fantastic day trips.
Katie Silcox, Managing Editor
For Christmas 2023, I’ll be in the Greek capital, Athens. I plan to start the day with a walk along the beach; late-December temperatures are around 12 degrees celsius so – while not hot – it will be pleasant for a wander. Then, I’ll head into the centre of the city to admire the decorations and have lunch. Traditionally Greeks decorate a boat with twinkling lights for Christmas, but there are plenty of trees to be found too. I’m currently researching the best restaurants for Christmas Day dining (to save any cooking at home) and I have my eye on Grande Bretagne Hotel or St. George Lycabettus Hotel – but I also know that many of the usual restaurants are open in the centre of the city, so if all else fails I’ll eat a gyro!
Gemma Louise Deeks, Fashion Editor
I’m currently buying my first flat in London, so I am very excited to start nesting in my new home – which will begin with some serious furniture shopping. I’m looking forward to a quiet Christmas this year, cosied up in my new Olivia von Halle cashmere tracksuit on my new sofa (I have my eye on this green velvet one from Soho Home). After a relaxed Christmas I’m heading to New York for NYE which will be full of fun and excitement, from Broadway shows to ice skating.
Becki Murray, Beauty Editor
With a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation, I am hosting Christmas for the first time this year, meaning my family will be joining me in London. It will be nice to start some new traditions, including a walk to see the Christmas lights as the sun goes down, although I’m sure some old ones – including bickering over a board game and badly singing Christmas carols – will remain. I’ve taken the opportunity to ensure my flat looks especially festive by picking up a few signature baubles from Liberty for the tree, a Neill Strain Deck The Halls wreath for the door, and cosy Soho Home robes for Christmas morning. We’ve just had the kitchen completely redone too, so the oven is likely to be put immediately through its paces – my flat should smell delightfully of a vegan roast and homemade gluten-free mince pies, if things go to plan…
Morag Turner, Citizen Enfants Editor
We are Scotland-bound for a wonderfully traditional Christmas at my family home in the Highlands. I’m anticipating long walks in the beautiful, rugged countryside; snuggling up by a roaring fire; and attending the Christmas Eve service at our local church, followed by mince pies and mulled wine on the village green. If we are lucky it might even snow! Then I’ll need to repack the suitcases as I’m off to South Africa to ring in New Year with the other side of our family, with surfing, barbecues and sundowners by the sea. This will be a festive period of two very different – but equally lovely – halves.
Bibiana Obahor, Head of Graphic Design
Like every Christmas, I’ll be in Essex with my family, embracing a relaxed start to the day. It’s become a tradition for my mum to buy us all matching Disney pyjamas but I’ll be slipping into the most comfortable pyjamas from Hush – keeping the tradition alive in a more stylish way. And, of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without an exchange of gifts, where we all try to outdo each other with the best-wrapped presents. With a family full of caterers, our kitchen is always buzzing, with everyone chipping in to prep the food. We go all out for dinner; dressing up and getting glam is a must, and I’m saving my new Hourglass blush palette for the occasion. After dinner, it’s festive films and games. And, of course, the unmissable Eastenders Christmas special.
Grace Robson, Partnerships Director
This year, I’ll be leaving the city to head to Cornwall. On Christmas morning we’ll be braving the cold – come rain or shine – with a traditional Christmas Day Swim in the sea, all for the good cause of Bude Surf Lifesaving Club. Afterwards, we’ll head back home to warm up with mulled wine and mince pies. It’s been a busy year so I’m ready to slow down for Christmas and spend time with my family, watching all the classic festive movies (Muppet Christmas Carol has always been our favourite) and taking in the fresh sea air.
I’ll be visiting Amsterdam, and am envisaging the makings of a Dutch-Dickensian Christmas. There is a distinctly fairytale-like quality to Amsterdam around this time of year that lends itself so well to Christmas; decorated in lights, the Dutch-Baroque architecture is transformed into life-size gingerbread homes and the water is set aglow with installations from the annual Amsterdam light festival. I’m planning to start my day with a canal stroll followed by a wander across Amsterdam’s cobble-stoned streets and bridges before landing in the Museumplein Christmas village market, where I hope to get my hands on some kerststol (the Dutch answer to stollen) and a coffee. If it’s cold enough, I might get some literal skates on to glide back across the canals, before sprucing up for Christmas lunch at the elegant Flore.
Ella Mansell, Editorial Assistant
After a busy year I’m really looking forward to unwinding with family over Christmas. This year, I’ll be in Paris; I used to live in the city and always jump at the chance to return – especially around Christmas when the Sunday flea markets fulfil all my last minute gift needs. When I say unwinding with family, I really mean lots of cocktail making with our favourite St Germain Spritz in addition to the negronis, pomegranate spritz and espresso martinis that are also on the menu this year. We are big foodies and love to add our own traditions alongside classic dishes; tiramisu making on Christmas Eve is one of them. After this, we’ll head into the cold to find a beautiful carol service, whether on the streets or in a nearby church. I have a large family, which means lots of dancing and laughter and I truly can’t wait.
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