Amid the whirlwind of the holiday season, the editors of Victoria warmly invite you to nestle into a cozy spot and bask in the comfort and joy that abounds in our November/December issue. Each page is lush with an abundance of Yuletide merriments, from exuberantly dressed interiors to one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas ornaments sure to thrill the hearts of collectors. Come along as we revel in the display of seasonal splendor around the globe, voyaging to Germany, where glittering Christkindlmarkts awaken childish delight with a dazzling array of gifts and tantalizing treats. In England, Lady-in-Residence The Countess of Carnarvon throws open the gates of Highclere Castle, known to many as the setting for the beloved Downton Abbey movies and television series, and shares her most cherished annual traditions. We also visit Jane Austen’s House and culminate our yearlong celebration of the author with a teatime fête ideally suited for marking the 250th anniversary of her birth. Back in the United States, a South Carolina interior designer beckons guests to her warm and welcoming abode, while a Virginia haven exudes a quiet grace, and a Mississippi mansion inspires awe with a collection of antiques worthy of a museum. Finally, we offer a glimpse of our latest hardcover volume, Splendor of Christmas: English, French, and American Holiday Style.
Seasonal Tokens
Christmastime shimmers with cherished traditions and glowing hearts, with each keepsake whispering of fond memories wrapped in shiny paper, gifted and received between those who cherish one another most.
Ornamented with Whimsy
Long before mass-produced holiday décor filled the stores, Victorian-era families pulled out baskets of old lace, pretty ribbon, and ephemera and gathered to fashion frippery for the newly popularized Christmas tree. One West Coast couple keeps the tradition alive with their one-of-a-kind handwrought adornments.
Charmed by Old-World Élan
A soft, feminine palette of sumptuous pinks and blues punctuated by jewel-like flashes of gold and ruby replaces traditional holiday hues, offering a refined backdrop in which to usher in the most enchanting of seasons.
Market Season
Beneath the gaze of cathedral spires and half-timbered houses, swags of twinkling lights cast their glow upon one of Europe’s oldest and most enchanting traditions: the open-air German markets or Christkindlmarkts, a timeless celebration of Yuletide brimming with handcrafted treasures and festive fare.
A Joyous Tribute
With the festive season in full swing, Jane Austen’s House prepares to welcome guests from across the globe for a veritable whirl of Yuletide merriment and celebratory activities planned to commemorate the revered author’s 250th birthday.
Harmony at Home
From carols sung with loved ones to vintage wares collected with care, beloved customs are especially cherished at Christmastime.
Fit for a Queen
As captivating in beauty as it is in romantic history, an idyllic five-star hotel—a former widow’s residence of one of Germany’s most fascinating empresses—is a breathtaking retreat to gather warmth and fond memories amid wintertime’s chilly embrace.
To read these stories and more, collect your copy of the November/December 2025 issue of Victoria magazine, available on local newsstands or at victoriamag.com.
