Sneak Peek: Inside the December Luxury Issue

Welcome to the Luxury Special December Issue of Country & Town House Magazine...

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Your December issue of Country & Town House Magazine is hitting newsstands this week, and this month it’s the luxury issue featuring our fabulous cover star Karen Gillan, Gillian Anderson and glow-up guru Charlotte Tilbury…

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Inside the December luxury issue, you’ll find…

Gillian Anderson: Our wonderful December Rurbanist talks all things property porn, gong baths and shares some invaluable advice.

Shakespeare: Allie Esiri explores how the great writer lived ‘the best of both worlds’

Karen Gillan: The Jumanji star divulges her humble Scottish beginnings, from ‘horror filmmaker’ to rising cinematic star

Supergowns: Kinvara Balfour explores the return of the standout, celebration dress

Richard Young: Anastasia Bernhardt sits down with the legendary celebrity and high-society photographer

The Party Guide: Your ultimate guide to party season, with beauty tips from Charlotte Tilbury, festive interior inspiration and gorgeous gift guides

LA Nights: Holly Rubenstein lives the California dream

Some of our contributors share their Christmas wishes and rituals…

Charlotte Tilbury

Your one Christmas wish this year is… This year, my Christmas wish and New Year’s resolution is to laugh, sing, dance and GLOW.

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… Relaxing at home with my gorgeous husband and boys. Family is number one.

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? All you need to get a party going is a great playlist. I live for music and dancing, it’s when I feel my most full of joy.

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… My finishing touch is always a spritz of my magical Scent of a Dream fragrance – no glamorous look is complete without it.

Isabel Spearman

Your one Christmas wish this year is… That no one has an argument all day.

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… My siblings and I have a competition on Christmas night as to who can make the best leftovers sandwich. The competition is fierce.

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? I start the evening with a strong G&T and often that’s all I need.

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… It changes all the time, at the moment it’s hairbands. I’m amassing quite a collection and they literally crown all my party outfits.

Allie Esiri

Your one Christmas wish this year is… That I somehow manage to buy the same amount of presents for each of my children.

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… The Rainbow Trust Carol Concert at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge. Because it couldn’t be more Christmassy – all candlelit, and at its heart it has the spirit of giving to children and families in need.

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? Caribbean carols (my father’s favourite).

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… Red flowers in my hair; although this year I have had some flowers made out of Shakespeare’s poetry so they might have to fight it out on my dressing table.

Lohralee Astor

Your one Christmas wish this year is… I really hope it snows. We love taking the children sledging, nothing beats the sound of their squeals of delight as they go down the hill. It is also a great excuse for us to have a LOT of dairy-free hot chocolate…

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… Building gingerbread houses, it generally ends up being a bit of a competition. Who has the most candy bling? Whose house stands up the longest (or has ever stood up)?

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? Eggnog, vodka and more vodka.

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… Red lipstick and a nice pair of stilettos.

Kinvara Balfour

Your one Christmas wish this year is… That I get to spend it with my boyfriend, Sudhin and our beautiful baby boy, Marlowe and all our family.

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… Opening my stocking in bed with my three sisters (irrespective of how many husbands, boyfriends, children and babies that are in tow) because Father Christmas (aka my mother) still visits us and I adore him for that.

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? Always introduce old friends to new.

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… A blow dried head of hair at Josh Wood Atelier and eyebrows by Kamini Vaghela. If those are done well, I can wear old clothes and still feel dazzling.

Karen Munnis

Your one Christmas wish this year is… To kiss Santa.

Your favourite Christmas ritual is… Christmas morning in Canada with pancakes, maple syrup (yes, really), and my mum’s ambrosia salad.

How do you ensure your party goes with a swing? Always invite the neighbours.

Your crowning accessory to your party outfit is… Sequins and a smile.