Traditions aren’t always traditional. When winter arrives, artist Julia Chiang and her children turn to the kiln to craft ornaments. Every Christmas Eve, chef Jess Shadbolt and her family gather around a fondue pot instead of a pine tree. Designers Brendon Babenzien and Todd Snyder eschew the holidays’ sartorial staples in favor of tartan ties and cashmere.
With Rockefeller Center serving as the nexus of New York’s holiday season, we checked in with a selection of the chefs, designers, and artists who help animate its halls for a glimpse of how the city’s creative set get festive.
JULIA CHIANG
Artist Julia Chiang lives and works in Brooklyn with her husband, Brian Donnelly (better known as KAWS), and their children. She’s shown her intricate, abstract paintings everywhere from Rockefeller Center in New York to Nanzuka in Tokyo.
What’s one touch that makes your holiday adornments distinct?
The kids’ creations are usually the best. We’ve made countless hanging decorations from felt, with balled-up yarn, glitter, googly eyes, and beads glued onto them. We’ve cut up paintings into different shapes and hung them as ornaments. We like Sculpey. We save as many as we can and gift them, too. We see no difference between the bracelets the kids make to wear and the beaded decorations that hang off every doorknob, window latch, and cabinet knob—only they know which is jewelry and which is holiday decor.
What makes the holidays in New York unlike anywhere else in the world?
There’s an intense energy during the holidays. Lincoln Center, shopping at Sahadi’s on Atlantic Avenue, the origami tree at the Natural History Museum, ice skating in Prospect Park—it can feel like too much, but I love it.
Shop Julia’s Holiday Eseentials at Rockefeller Center:
To make your own beaded ornaments with the kids, visit FAO Schwartz to browse their bead kits ($28).
Want the look without busting out the hot glue? Try Anthropologie for their felted critters ($48).
JESS SHADBOLT
In 2016, British chef Jess Shadbolt left her mark on New York when she opened King in SoHo with Annie Shi and Clare de Boer—the recipes of which are compiled in a new tome, The King Cookbook. In 2022, the trio followed their Italian-French bistro with Jupiter, an Italian gem in Rockefeller Center.
What’s one festive tradition you never stray from?
I’m not sure why, but my family always serves a cheese fondue on Christmas Eve. We sit around the fire, stirring bread and potatoes and pickles into a pot of melting cheese and dipping them into freshly cracked black pepper. The dish is very indulgent, very simple, and very easy to prepare, which is always appealing this time of year. We are echoing the tradition this year at King—it will be on the menu!
What do you most like to serve when entertaining for the holidays?
I stick with slow-cooked braises or one-pot wonders when entertaining. These dishes are not only hearty and deeply flavorful, but they can easily be prepared in advance, which gives you more time at the table. Right now, I am cooking braised duck legs with prunes and Beaujolais—a recipe from our new cookbook—served with crushed celeriac. It’s all the flavors of the season, with a festive flair.
Shop Jess’s Holiday Essentials at Rockefeller:
The first stop should of course be Jupiter, where Shadbolt serves everything from rich pastas to hanger steak (open daily from 11-10 p.m.).
Want to cook one of Shadbolt’s signature dishes yourself? Stop by the Rockefeller Center’s Dolce Holiday Market, which offers a selection of imported Italian fare including olive oils and coffees.
TODD SNYDER
Todd Snyder, a Polo Ralph Lauren and Gap alum, lives in New York with his three daughters. The ethos of his eponymous line, founded in 2011, is inextricable from the style of the city itself, and has outposts everywhere from Madison Avenue to Rockefeller Center.
What do you most like to serve when entertaining for the holidays?
The incredible Dan Kluger taught me how to make the world’s greatest roast chicken: You’ve got to brine it. Full stop. Plus, a little duck fat in everything is always a winner. And in case of emergencies, have a kick-ass lasagna prepared.
What detail brings your holiday decorations together?
A monochromatic palette. Simplifying color goes a long way.
Is there a piece in your closet you make sure to pull out this time of year?
I have a brown-and-cream buffalo cashmere work shirt that I obsess over. It sounds sappy, but it reminds me of holidays as a kid, and I love it.
Have you ever committed a holiday-party faux pas?
Having hosted a few holiday parties over the years, I would say keeping the bar open all night isn’t always the best idea.
Shop Todd’s Holiday Essentials at Rockefeller Center:
To gift a loved one, or yourself, a sumptuous cashmere work shirt, head to Todd Snyder’s Rockefeller Center outpost and find a wide array of buttoned options (option seen above, $498).
To pull off the monochromatic look, browse Todd Snyder’s holiday selections, replete with a number of easy-going brown and black hues, as well as sets of eye-catching reds and blues (option seen above, $428).
BRENDON BABENZIEN
Long Island native and Brooklyn resident Brendon Babenzien is the co-founder of menswear brand Noah and the creative director of J.Crew’s menswear, which has outposts across the city and at Rockefeller Center.
What detail brings your holiday decorations together?
I am a huge fan of the holidays and quite like a country style: wooden ornaments and not too much shine; white lights, no color. Some of the decor we have is very old and has been in my family for quite some time. My stocking, for example, was handmade by my grandmother. It’s about to be 54 years old.
How do you manage holiday-entertaining stress?
Only entertain people you really want around. Make entertaining about true family, friends, and people you would like to become friends with—no pretense. Stick to entertaining people who will support you without judgment, even if you burn the dinner. Holidays should be a time of peace and reflection. Don’t bury yourself to impress people.
Is there a piece in your closet you make sure to pull out this time of year?
I have a handful of tartan ties that make holiday appearances. They’re not fancy. I buy mine from Lochcarron.
Shop Brendon’s Holiday Look at Rockefeller Center:
Without flying to Scotland for a tie, you can shop the tartan look from J.Crew’s selection, which includes a Gordon Dress iteration ($45).
in your life?
