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It’s the most decorative time of the year, so don’t be ashamed if you’re already hauling out the holly and trimming the tree. We could all use some holiday cheer now that the sun is setting sooner, and I personally can’t think of a better way to spend these crisp fall nights than unwinding on the couch as Frank Sinatra’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” plays in the background and that classic Yule log YouTube video crackles on my television (my fellow festive-yet-fireplace-less friends, you know which one I’m talking about).
It’s hard not to fantasize about snow collecting on the window sill as the smell of freshly baked cookies fills the kitchen when looking back at AD’s holiday-themed Open Door tours. After all, a cozy and inviting atmosphere is essential for those yearly Christmastime traditions; for some, that means gathering friends and family around the dining room table, and for others, it’s escaping to a quiet retreat tucked away in the mountains.
Whether your dream home for the holidays is a New York City brownstone draped in twinkling lights or an opulent Los Angeles estate dressed to the nines, there’s something magical about a house that embraces the spirit of the season, no matter its locale. If you—like Mariah, myself, or every store I’ve stepped into since November 1—reserve the full final chunk of the year for yuletide vibes, get the holiday party started early and read on to see which celeb homes made our Nice List.
Kendall Jenner’s Los Angeles holiday haven
If Kendall Jenner is hosting an Elf movie night, pour a spiked horchata eggnog and count us in. The model admittedly spends hours in the custom-designed theater located within her Spanish-style LA estate—and falls asleep “constantly” watching the holiday classics. But the real magic happens around the Christmas tree (one of two in her house). “This is the room where we all convene [to play] Mafia and scream at each other,” she tells AD. “But it’s also the best for wine nights, putting on the record player and just, like, gossiping and crying together.” Designed with help from florist to the stars (and the Kardashian family’s go-to designer) Jeff Leatham, each evergreen-adorned nook and cranny feels intimate and nostalgic. Sentimental decorative nods to her childhood, including the Christopher Radko Christmas ornaments gifted from mom Kris Jenner, lend the gathering space as much of that cozy warmth as the wood-burning fireplace. If you’re adding any guests to the list this year, Kendall, our flannel pj’s are on standby and we’re ready to spill the (Earl Grey) tea!
Kris Jenner’s extravagant Hidden Hills mansion
Speaking of Jenners…an adoration for the holiday season runs pretty deep through the whole family tree. And there’s nothing quite like Krismastime. If you think decking your home out for the holidays is time consuming, try spending 24 hours alone simply lighting the Christmas tree. That’s how long it took Leatham to illuminate Kris Jenner’s 22-foot Douglas fir when AD visited the Kardashian matriarch in 2016. Upon entering the reality TV star’s Hidden Hills estate (which the family recently bade an emotional goodbye to on this season of Hulu’s The Kardashians), guests couldn’t miss the Candy Land Chic–themed tree or the six-foot faceted metal-and-glass red polar bear in its entryway. In the formal dining room, roses are seen hanging from the chandelier. “This is a table that I’ll probably be at a lot,” Leatham tells AD’s cameras.
Darius Rucker’s festive Nashville haven
During the holidays, we only wanna be with you, Darius Rucker. At the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman’s Nashville residence, expect a sweet potato pie for dessert. (And if that’s not on the menu at your home, says Rucker, “I’m not coming!”) When AD visited the singer in 2020, he was ready to entertain holiday guests at his dining room table in more ways than one. During the pandemic, he would move the sleek farmhouse-style piece to perform virtual concerts. But when Rucker isn’t singing in his Nordic Christmas–themed digs, he can be found spending time with his son in the festive living room, designed with help from Christmas tree and decor brand Balsam Hill. “And yes, all the guitars are mine,” Rucker says of the musical instruments on display, including one gifted to him by friend and fellow guitarist Edwin McCain. Here’s to hoping one of Rucker’s famous neighbors (his neck of the woods houses country stars Brett Young, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell, Luke Bryan, and Jason Aldean) drops by for a duet in front of the fireplace.
Kathy Hilton’s timeless Bel Air estate
Kathy Hilton has plenty of room in her 14,980-square-foot mansion to entertain throughout the holiday season. Practically every space in the home—which features seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and multiple sitting areas—is made merry and bright for those elaborate Christmas parties Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fans know all too well. As for the famous family’s yearly traditions, “We do a Christmas brunch. We do Christmas Eve. And my sisters and I do a turkey competition,” Hilton says, referring to half-siblings Kim and Kyle Richards. Daughter Nicky Hilton is a “good baker,” the socialite adds, while Paris Hilton is the one who “licks the bowl” clean. And if you’re looking for a holiday hack, follow Kathy’s lead with a pre-lit Christmas tree: “Lighting is everything,” she explains. “So I always get a pre-lit tree. I think that it’s just easier. But you can never do enough fluffing. I always say I’m a fluffer!”
Brooke Shields’s West Village winter wonderland
Christmastime is all about family, and at Brooke Shields’s renovated New York City town house (which AD visited back in 2017), the actor makes that a top priority—literally. Her Christmas tree topper is made from buttons by daughters Rowan and Grier. Crafted in collaboration with Balsam Hill, Shields’s living room is a picturesque place to unwrap presents during the holiday season; candles fill the room, and four personalized white stockings hang from the fireplace—but, crucially, Shields says she always leaves space “for something spontaneous to happen, and for an unexpected surprise to add to the party.” Perhaps if one believes hard enough, Santa Claus could squeeze down a New York City chimney (or at least make it past the doorman).
