Think outside the box... the gift box that is!

It is painted in white and metallic blue and perched among its branches are a handmade leopard, several parrots and a dragonfly. This partnership marks the first time in the hotel’s 112 -year history that Claridge’s has worked with a famed fashion designer on its Christmas tree, making sure even a well established institution such as the hotel is, shares an optimistic, modern, tasteful, international and joyful approach while still carrying a meaningful holiday message.

This year, I am incorporating the ‘50s into my themed celebration and will display a wooden cut-out tree that like Galliano's is unexpected and meaningful. I will decorate it on the 24th, with freshly baked spiced butter cookies adorned with sparkling sugar beads. My theme, “nature matters”, will allow me to incorporate the colors in vogue for this season, whites, browns, pale blues and grays, silver and gold, while displaying my culinary talents surrounded by loved ones. I will have a unique opportunity to combine four of my passions; the environment, entertaining, food and design.

My secret cookie recipe? Ok, I will share it, but only with you!

You will need:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 sticks (cold) of unsalted butter, cut in pieces

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon of ground spice (try a different spice (cardamon, nutmeg, powdered ginger, etc) per batch of cookies)

Combine your flour, sugar, butter, spice and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process until mixture is the texture of coarse meal. In a small bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and vanilla; with motor running, add to food processor. Process just until dough forms. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake your shaped cookies for about 10 to 15 minutes until edges are firm (not brown).

We will eat the ornaments when we get up to open our gifts, so storing these is not an option in my home. For those of you who will want to make these cookies and enjoy them and/or share them during the holidays, they can, if you can resist eating them all at once, be stored for up to two weeks in an air-tight container.

Enjoy filling your home with the beauty and the aromas of the season. Happy Holidays!!! Eros Greatti is a Westmount designer. For more information or to suggest topics, he can be reached at The New Maison Eros Greatti & M Interior Design Studio & Atelier at 514-839-2565.