The Interview —

Victoria McGinley, Web Designer & Blogger, Victoria McGinley Studio

This tradition is kind of a new one: over the last 5 years, my husband and I have decorated our Christmas tree the Friday after Thanksgiving. That evening, we invite any friends who are in town to come over, listen to carols, drink spiked cider, and eat leftovers (of which everyone is encouraged to bring). My friends know this as my annual “Thanksmas” party – it’s got one foot in Thanksgiving, and the other in Christmas, and it’s my favorite way to kick off the holiday season. 

Growing up in Texas, it’s not unheard of to eat tamales on Christmas Eve. I’ve incorporated this tradition into my own holiday celebrations with my husband – every Christmas Eve, we eat homemade chili and tamales, just like I did growing up. I think I like it more than the actual Christmas Day meal!

I’m such a sentimental softie, so I love the sense of tradition and familiarity this time of year brings. It can also be a little melancholy, so I always think it’s a great time to reflect and feel grateful for the people I have in my life.

It’s easy to just buy stuff for people, but I like to really think about the person I’m buying for and choose something they will treasure for years to come and says something about the nature of our relationship. I revel in finding the gift that’s priceless because of its sentimentality. On the other hand, I recently read a great post by a fellow blogger who said that she’s received handwritten letters from friends and family members to accompany a gift in years past, and that nowadays, she can’t remember the gift but still treasures the letter. If you can’t come up with a spectacular gift idea, I think adding the handwritten letter to it makes it special.

I bought all these silk tie-inspired buckle belts and tube tops from J.Crew in the early aughts, and what’s sadder, I hung on to them until this past year. I have no idea why I thought they would be making a comeback (and of course, now that I write this, they’ll re-debut next fall).

I LOVE watching documentaries on Netflix! I think they stream some of the most interesting films that you would never see otherwise. I especially like all the films on the wine industry (Somm, A Year in Burgundy, Red Obsession).

I have a few: Avene Eau Thermale Spray, and Tata Harper’s Rejuvenating Serum. I notice the difference in my skin if I don’t use them – they’re both just the perfect base layer before you moisturize.

I love being able to solve problems for people. There’s nothing more fun that looking at somebody’s website, hearing the problems they have with their business or what doesn’t work for them, and coming up with solutions that will fix things. And you get to do all that by creating cool stuff and flexing your artistic muscle in Photoshop and Illustrator!

Either a glass of Champagne (and true Champagne, from France), or a margarita.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Do I really need to explain why?