Juliette Labelle’s Guide to a Meaningful Holiday

Rip & Tan: How do you usually celebrate the holidays with your family?

Juliette Labelle: The holidays have always been about family for us. It’s the one time of year when everything slows down and no one questions wearing sweats for an entire week. We cook together, let the mornings be slow, and don’t rush to be anywhere in particular. No packed lunches, no tight schedules, just really good food, good company, lots of movies, and the house smelling like fresh pine. It’s my favorite time of year because it feels grounding in the simplest way.

Rip & Tan: Tell us about your favorite holiday family traditions. Are there any special traditions you’ve carried on from your childhood? New ones you’ve created with your daughter? 

Juliette Labelle: Growing up, my parents made the holidays feel magical in a very effortless way—nothing over the top, just warmth, candlelight, and everyone pitching in. I’ve carried that with me. With Max, we’ve started our own traditions, like baking the same cookies every year and doing a “girls’ day” where we choose one new ornament together. She takes it extremely seriously.

Rip & Tan: What does your holiday decorating approach look like in your home?

Juliette Labelle: Minimal, natural, and cozy. I love fresh greenery, tapered candles, and pieces that feel collected rather than styled. And bows. My tree is covered in them. It makes everything feel soft and nostalgic without being fussy. A tree that looks like it came straight from the forest, not a catalog.

Rip & Tan: When it comes to entertaining and dressing this time of year, what do you love to wear? 

Juliette Labelle: I don’t wear anything overly “holiday” specific, but patent leather shoes, a red lip, tights, and a few silver accents make any outfit feel instantly festive. I gravitate toward soft knits and great tailoring—pieces that let me cook, host, and sit on the floor with Max without feeling overdressed.

Rip & Tan: What inspires your gift-giving each year?

Juliette Labelle: Meaning. I’d rather give one thing that feels personal than ten things that feel generic. I pay attention throughout the year to the little comments people make—what they’re reading, what they’re needing, what they don’t buy for themselves.

Rip & Tan: How do you make gifts feel personal for each recipient?

Juliette Labelle: A handwritten note goes a long way. I love explaining why I chose something. It turns a gift into a memory. And if I can support small businesses or artisans, even better.

Rip & Tan: How do you incorporate charitable giving into your holiday season?

Juliette Labelle: Giving back is a huge part of our year, but especially during the holidays. Between Labelle Foundation, Belle’s Boarding, and the rescue community, we always try to prioritize donations and make sure animals get what they need. We also participate in toy drives—this year, we’re collecting toys for the Salvation Army in Santa Monica. It’s important to me that my daughter sees giving as something joyful and normal.