You might think, since I work at a travel company, that I

hop a plane to the southern hemisphere when the mer-

cury dips below 30 in New York, and spend the holidays

twirling between palm trees. But I don’t. I like my winter

holidays cold. I grew up in England and spent Christmases

at my family’s sandstone cottage, a dead ringer for Kate

Winslet’s house swap in The Holiday. In our hamlet in rural

Dorset, the feudal system is still alive and well, the chapel

roof is in dire need of repair, and the holidays are about

long walks under a perpetually flat white sky, charades in

front of a log fire, and overeating local, seasonal produce

because there isn’t anything else around.

The roast goose we have for Christmas dinner (my parents

choose a fat, still squawking bird from a line-up at a farm

down the road) is the culinary highlight, wreathed in roast

potatoes and parsnips from the garden and served with

one of my Dad’s favorite Pinot Noirs (I know if it’s a particu-

larly good bottle because he pours himself a larger glass

than anyone else). It’s a low-key, cozy affair.

If I didn’t make it back to England, I’d recreate those holi-

days here in New York. The Lowell Hotel on New York’s

Upper East Side is the perfect place to start: there’s a fire-

place in every bedroom and snowy Central Park is a par-

ka-swaddled, sunglassed stroll away (you never see Brits

in shades in winter—I’ve seen New Yorkers wear them in

a blizzard). And for my country fix, I’d drive an hour north

of Manhattan to the Bedford Post Inn: you can satisfy your

pyromaniac and romantic tendencies in the snug guest

rooms here, too, and The Farmhouse, the hotel’s restau-

rant, serves fantastic locavore food. Plus, there’s always a

chance you’ll find owner Richard Gere under the mistletoe.

Happy Holidays, wherever and with whomever you choose

to spend it.

– Kate MaxwellEditor-in-Chief, Jetsetter

FROMOUREDITOR

1. Bedford, New York

The Bedford Post Inn $495/night

2. Johnstons Cashmere

Lambswool Crofting Blanket $99 Gilt | $245

3. ilux

Polka Dot and Deer Socks (2 Pack) $25 Gilt | $52

4. New York, New York

The Lowell $675/night

5. Barrow & Grove

Wool Cashmere Purl Stitch Cardigan $119 Gilt

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TOP PICKS FROM THE EDITOR

1. Kitty Lee Thomas Sweets

Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows Gift Pack $19.99 Gilt | $24.95

2. The Land of Nod Toy Shop $25 Gilt | $50

3. Jack Spade

Mill Leather Wayne Duffel Bag $199-495 Gilt

4. Anywhere Fireplace

Tabletop Fireplace High Gloss Beige $325 Gilt | $380

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1. Paper Style

$25-$50 Gilt | $50 - $100

2. Airflow Collectibles

Classic Truck $213 Gilt | $299

3. Wythe NY

Janine Leather Boot $179 Gilt | $325

4. Droga Chocolates

Chocolate Covered Gingerbread Chookies $32.95 Gilt

3.

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You might think, since I work at a travel company, that I hop a plane to the southern hemisphere when the mercury dips below 30 in New York, and spend the holidays twirling between palm trees. But I don’t.

I like my winter holidays cold.

– Kate Maxwell

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

1. Joe’s Jeans

Leather and Canvas Work Belt $25 Gilt | $44

2. Little Gilt

Girls: Amelia Wrap Cardigan $66 Gilt | $136

3. C.O. Bigelow

My Favorite Lip Balm $7.50 Gilt

4. Sofia Cashmere

Cashmere Jog Suit $265 Gilt | $495

5. Pierrepont Hicks

Wool and Floral Bowtie $49 Gilt | $95

6. London, United Kingdom

The Grazing Goat $309/night

7. Le Sanctuaire

Spice Blends Box Set $78.95 Gilt

8. Botkier

Lucy Shoulder Bag $225 Gilt | $395

9. Sorel

Youth Tofino $52-54 Gilt | $95

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Check back on Sunday 11/25 for our next Holiday Gift Guide