In this festive Christmas special episode of The Edit, host Elle Lovelock is joined by home and styling expert Tara Dennis to ask a brave question: what if Christmas at home didn’t feel like a performance, but like an exhale? From her idyllic riverside house, usually sparkling with champagne-toned baubles, brass bells and warm white fairy lights, Tara shares how she creates “a warm welcome Christmas home” without losing her mind in the process. Together, Elle and Tara unpack calm‑in‑the‑chaos strategies for real families: how to decorate with laid‑back luxury on any budget, where to cut corners, and why “it’s not the season, it’s the day” that really matters.​

Tara and Elle dive into the emotional load of holiday hosting—the pressure not to “let anyone down,” the invisible to‑do lists, and the way social media can make everyone feel like they’re failing at Christmas style. Tara gently reframes the whole season, reminding listeners that “my house is always calm when we’re down,” and that the most memorable moments rarely involve perfect tablescapes. Instead, she shares grounded rituals: putting your phone in a drawer, watching silly movies, lighting candles, and choosing one or two meaningful traditions (not twenty) to anchor the day for kids and adults alike.​

There’s plenty of nostalgia and humour too. Tara recalls “all of the husbands that forgot” the Christmas present and childhood memories of sewing tiny dresses for her Baby Alive doll because “back in the day they knew how to thrift,” stories that quietly reveal how resourcefulness and creativity shaped her career. She and Elle explore the idea that “maybe I’m not just doing it for myself”—how decorating, cooking and setting a beautiful table can become an act of care for others, inspired by the teachers and mentors who once encouraged her.​

If you’re searching for Christmas calm ideas, stress‑free Christmas decorating, relaxed Christmas table styling orhow to make Christmas cosy, not crazy, this episode is your gentle guide. Hit play to hear Tara’s practical tips on wreaths and garlands, small changes that make your home feel instantly more welcoming, and simple ways to give yourself time and space in the middle of the madness—because, as she puts it, “it’s not about it being perfect". 

 

Thank you for listening ❤️

before you leave...

🗣️ Get in touch 

What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and DM us on Instagram

👀 See more

The Ultimate Christmas Tree decorating ideas 

A very merry Home Beautiful Christmas

Christmas Declutter Plans

 

🙏 Our special thanks making 'The Edit' our new home:

Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains

Oz Design - furniture Australians love 

Tara Dennis - See more at Pepperwhites 

Credits:

Edited by Phil Calloway 

Production by Thomas Crnkovic 

Our wonderful Home Beautiful team 

Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL

 

In this festive Christmas special episode of&nbsp;The Edit, host Elle Lovelock is joined by home and styling expert <a href="&ldquo;A%20Soft-Launch%20Into%20Sanity:%20Tara%20Dennis%20on%20Finding%20Calm%20in%20Christmas%20Chaos&rdquo;">Tara Dennis</a> to ask a brave question: what if Christmas at home didn&rsquo;t feel like a performance, but like an exhale? From her idyllic riverside house, usually sparkling with champagne-toned baubles, brass bells and warm white fairy lights, Tara shares how she creates &ldquo;a warm welcome Christmas home&rdquo; without losing her mind in the process. Together, Elle and Tara unpack calm‑in‑the‑chaos strategies for real families: how to decorate with laid‑back luxury on any budget, where to cut corners, and why &ldquo;it&rsquo;s not the season, it&rsquo;s the day&rdquo; that really matters.​
Tara and Elle dive into the emotional load of holiday hosting&mdash;the pressure not to &ldquo;let anyone down,&rdquo; the invisible to‑do lists, and the way social media can make everyone feel like they&rsquo;re failing at Christmas style. Tara gently reframes the whole season, reminding listeners that &ldquo;my house is always calm when we&rsquo;re down,&rdquo; and that the most memorable moments rarely involve perfect tablescapes. Instead, she shares grounded rituals: putting your phone in a drawer, watching silly movies, lighting candles, and choosing one or two meaningful traditions (not twenty) to anchor the day for kids and adults alike.​
There&rsquo;s plenty of nostalgia and humour too. Tara recalls &ldquo;all of the husbands that forgot&rdquo; the Christmas present and childhood memories of sewing tiny dresses for her Baby Alive doll because &ldquo;back in the day they knew how to thrift,&rdquo; stories that quietly reveal how resourcefulness and creativity shaped her career. She and Elle explore the idea that &ldquo;maybe I&rsquo;m not just doing it for myself&rdquo;&mdash;how decorating, cooking and setting a beautiful table can become an act of care for others, inspired by the teachers and mentors who once encouraged her.​
If you&rsquo;re searching for Christmas calm ideas, stress‑free Christmas decorating, relaxed Christmas table styling or how to make Christmas cosy, not crazy, this episode is your gentle guide. Hit play to hear Tara&rsquo;s practical tips on wreaths and garlands, small changes that make your home feel instantly more welcoming, and simple ways to give yourself time and space in the middle of the madness&mdash;because, as she puts it, &ldquo;it&rsquo;s not about it being perfect".&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Thank you for listening ❤️
before you leave...
🗣️ Get in touch 
What did you think? We are a brand new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Home Beautiful community and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful/?hl=en">DM us on Instagram</a>
👀 See more
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/christmas/tara-dennis-christmas-decorating-ideas/">The Ultimate Christmas Tree decorating ideas </a>
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/christmas/">A very merry Home Beautiful Christmas</a>
<a href="https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/storage/a69522424/christmas-declutter-plan/">Christmas Declutter Plans</a>
&nbsp;
🙏 Our special thanks making 'The Edit' our new home:
<a href="https://shadetrendz.luxaflex.com.au/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23125304318&amp;gbraid=0AAAAACcMuN6IiBsj6G_n_8E8c50GpwySv&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFsFUkw31rOzRF9wU6hG8mghdfAynrw_nq1rK837HdpD8e9h5S3nyLBoCeqsQAvD_BwE">Luxaflex - our beautiful 'studio home' curtains</a>
<a href="https://ozdesignfurniture.com.au/furniture/tables/coffee-tables/?loaded=1&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21415529745&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAC9A_Pa-UbUcY99mNrp5zmDd-cznX&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAuIDJBhBoEiwAxhgyFiFRHBgba954pNDZXlnrYPvcHIPZgbBzw6BEwGWBhHQW9_uP5S6xkRoCAKEQAvD_BwE">Oz Design - furniture Australians love&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://pepperwhites.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOore-xo77TXAU6S9tlpK1RGTwKPOaeaANU2LG5nhxJ39CfdUgeVK">Tara Dennis - See more at Pepperwhites </a>
Credits:
Edited by Phil Calloway&nbsp;
Production by Thomas Crnkovic&nbsp;
Our wonderful Home Beautiful team&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.homebeautiful.com.au/">Learn More: HOME BEAUTIFUL</a>
&nbsp;

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable. 
Hosted by Editor  Elle Lovelock, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

There are so many choices that people have to make when decorating, renovating and building. But there is such joy in creating the homes and lives we all want. This inspired The Edit, a fresh new podcast from your friends at Home Beautiful that helps to make these daily decisions both simple and enjoyable.&nbsp; Hosted by Editor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellelovelock?igsh=MTZqd2NmajF6eGpjdQ=="> Elle Lovelock</a>, The Edit opens the door to beautiful homes and the stories behind them. Featuring well-known guests and respected experts, this video podcast is for everyone shaping their sanctuary - wherever you live, whatever your budget, whether you're a seasoned homeowner, a renter or just curating a special space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices and personal touches that turn your house into a home.

THE EDIT

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions.  With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It’s for everyone shaping their sanctuary—whether you’re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

What is a home maker these days? With so many decisions to make when it comes to your home, a show about your style, your sanctuary. The Edit is a fresh podcast from Home Beautiful that opens the door to unique homes and the stories behind them to inspire and delight those decisions. &nbsp;With well known guests and the ultimate experts. It&rsquo;s for everyone shaping their sanctuary&mdash;whether you&rsquo;re a seasoned homeowner, a renter on a budget, or anyone quietly curating your space. The Edit makes those decisions simple and celebrates the everyday creativity, choices, and personal touches that turn a house into a home.

A Soft-Launch Into Sanity: Tara Dennis on Finding Calm in Christmas Chaos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/3edc293c-9407-4489-8d55-b3b1017193cf/transcript

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