Merry Christmas 2025

Merry Christmas to all of you! I wish you a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. For me Christmas is all about family and traditions. It's a true blessing being able to celebrate it the way we like it. I hope and wish for peace for everyone...

Christmas cake by Vitti Roma
Santa pastry by Patisserie Jarreau 
Holly leaves chocolates by Patisserie Jarreau 

Holiday Season in Rome

Spending the holiday season in Rome is a dream! The Christmas trees and decorations are gorgeous, the weather is usually not very cold, the mood is festive... I can totally recommend going to the Eternal City in december. There's only one downside... it's gonna be super busy everywhere. But when you reserve your favorite places in time, it's definitely manageable.

At Piazza di Spagna (on the Spanish Steps) there is always a huge Christmas tree. The last few years this Christmas tree was sponsored and designed by Dior. The Dior store is actually at the bottom of the Spanish Steps and beautifully decorated as well. Just like all the other fashion stores! Rome can certainly compete with cities like London and New York in regard to Christmas lights and decorations.

On top of the festive mood, the big advantage of going to Rome in december, is that you can have a drink or meal sitting outside! Most bars and restaurants have heated terraces. One of my favorite places to enjoy an outdoor aperitivo is Vitti in Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina. The pretty square is frequented by the well-heeled locals, so if you enjoy people watching, you know where to go. 

Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina is the perfect start to go Christmas shopping in Via di Campo Marzio and Via della Maddalena. In this upscale area you'll find stores like Borsalino, Christian Louboutin, Saint Laurent, Campo Marzio 70 (beauty store) and more.

A store that I like a lot, any time of the year, is Chez Dede. Located in the beautiful Via di Monserrato, it's heaven for vintage lovers. Chez Dede sells anything from vintage furniture to jewelry, from home decor to fine art. If you're looking for a special gift, this is the place to be.

While you're there, stop by Forno Monforte for a coffee, glass of wine or mouthwatering pastry! You'll find this cosy bakery in Via del Pellegrino, close to Campo dei Fiori. Forno Monforte sells twenty tipes of bread, delicious pizzas, pastries and snacks.

In Rome there are so many bars, restaurants and hotels... it's really "l'imbarazzo della scelta"... you'll be spoilt for choice! I do have a few favorites though, restaurant Pacifico Roma in Hotel Palazzo Dama is one of them. For lunch you can choose from an internationally oriented menu, for dinner it's -mainly- Nikkei cuisine such as ceviche, tiradito and tacos. This boutique hotel is so chic, you probably don't want to leave. (In summer you can lounge by the pool!)

Another amazing hotel that I discovered the last time I was there, is Palazzo Roma in Via del Corso. It's located inside an aristocratic palace from the 1800s. The interior decorating is exquisite! Oh and don't even get me started about the epic bar...!!!

Besides shopping, walking around the city, enjoying good food and drinks, there are of course so many beautiful museums and historic sites in Rome that you can visit. I absolutely love the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi fountain, Villa Borghese, the Trastevere neighbourhood.... oh it's just too much to mention! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! I hope you will have wonderful days, together with family and friends, in peace and in good health.

Photos taken in Antwerp, The Hague and Wassenaar 

Start of the Holiday Season at H.O.F. Fashion

H.O.F. Fashion in The Hague kicked off the Holiday Season by throwing a wonderful pre-Christmas party. Or actually... an "All I Want For Christmas" party! There were cute bow belts, sequined dresses, tops and pants, beautiful jewelry by FIEN, perfumes by Celeste Parfums and the latest beauty trends by Prestige Cosmetics. Oh and many pretty tins with cookies and panettone by Ortigia! (The perfect Christmas gift if you ask me.)

I found a silk off-the-shoulder top which I really liked... and bought of course. When I came home, I discovered it's the exact same color (poison green) as a pair of high heels I just bought... and as the Chanel nailpolish color Reveuse! Funny how you get attracted by the same things, without realising it.

Guests were served pink champagne and delicious sweets (by Charlie's Fika). I felt like a kid in a candy store. And I wasn't the only one. There were so many people... it was incredible. Owner Stephanie really knows how to throw a party! Thank you so much for having me.

For more information about H.O.F. Fashion, please read my previous article: H.O.F. Fashion.