A Chic and Simple Christmas: Celebrate the holiday season with ease and grace

by Fiona Ferris

Do you wonder why you look forward to the holiday season as a magical time, but also dread it as a time of stress and anxiety? Me too! The Christmas of my dreams was a chic and simple affair full of joy and fun things, but the reality wasn’t nearly as much fun. It was stressful!

This book details how to create a holiday season that will be easier and happier for you, and more enjoyable for your loved ones.



You will find out how

Design your own style of Christmas celebrationGo into the holiday season with a sense of peace and anticipationExplore alternatives to gift givingBe the one who effortlessly makes happy changes at ChristmasEnjoy the holidays more than you thought possibleAvoid festive season weight gain, and feel chic and stylish

No matter the time of year you are reading ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’, whether it is the second week in December or the middle of April, it is the perfect time to start thinking about your ideal holiday season.



If your festive experiences don’t quite match the idyllic vision you have in your mind, be inspired by ‘A Chic and Simple Christmas’ to create a holiday season you will love.



Here is a little taste of what’s inside the



CHAPTER 1:

Choose what a chic Christmas season feels like for you

Christmas style versus your personal style

Declutter what doesn't fit your vision of a chic Christmas



CHAPTER 2:

Prepare for a chic holiday season

Clear all non-essentials from December

Get shopping out of the way

Keep yourself healthy

Declutter in advance

Simplify before the holidays



CHAPTER 3:

Christmas giving

Gifting vs non-gifting

Gift alternatives

Charitable giving



CHAPTER 4:

Enjoying the holiday season

If Christmas entertaining stresses you out

Be extra gentle with yourself



CHAPTER 5:

Christmas Day

Accommodating two or more families

Simple and relaxing

When you’re a guest or have guests to stay

What to wear?



CHAPTER 6:

Have exciting things to look forward to in the New Year

Be your own cheerleader

Plans for the year?

Vacation time

Make every day like Christmas



CHAPTER 7:

Bonus Chapter

– The Christmas ‘Best of’ from my blog 'How of be Chic'

Plan Ahead

A Serene Season

A Christmas Tail

A Simple Christmas

Christmas Chic

Relax, it's only December

The Importance of a Good Routine

Genres: Lifestyle, Christmas, Coffee Table Books, Self Help, Nonfiction

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2015

About the author

Hi, and welcome to my Goodreads page!

I love to write books about living a fabulous life without spending a lot of money.

I adore mindset work and how we get to be happier and more successful just from looking at things from a different angle. We get to change our circumstances if we want to, and change our thoughts as well.

My goal when I write my books is to provide inspiration, ideas, and reminders for my readers so that they can wear their rose-tinted sunglasses as they live their life. Just like I do!

I have found that everything works out better when you are positive as much as possible. When you expect things to work out for the best. When you have gratitude for all you have. And when you are always looking at how to make your life better, and richer (in all ways). In doing all these things you are elevating the happiness levels of those around you as well as yourself.

Of course life isn't perfect and we all go through sad or difficult times, however I believe when we are starting from a base level of positivity, it makes those times easier to bear.

I love the saying attributed to Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary, who told her that her job was to spread a carpet of happiness wherever she went. I have taken this on as my own life's motto and with my writing too.

I hope you enjoy reading my books and get loads of golden nuggets from them. Happy reading and please let me know your thoughts or leave a review!

Reviews

[Linda Stuckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple little book. I love this authors writing. I did get one idea to do this Christmas which was to have a mirrored tray on the coffee table and put an assortment of different sizes of white candles on the mirror.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The holidays are typically a hard time for me, and I love reading this book to help me plan ahead to enjoy the season in ways that I can. This is the second time I’m reading this book, and it feels like a warm and cozy hug.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Debbie Slaughter · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Fiona has simple, straightforward advice and this time, it's for navigating the holiday season and beyond. If you need a new view on how to forge your own way through Christmas, you will enjoy this quick and easy read. She shares her own methods of dealing with gifts, parties, and how to prepare for the season. Plenty of tips in one small book!

[Stacey Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will always enjoy her books. I like her ideas on living good for less.

You can have a nice Christmas without over doing it. You have to really plan out things. You do not want to over eat.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I would recommend this book if you're trying to figure out how to enjoy your Christmas. Christmas is about you not everyone else. Fiona helps you figure out what's important to you. Worth the read.

[Donna Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great feel good about yourself an how to make it better

great feel good book about yourself an how to make it better, as always, Fiona puts onto paper things that are in cobwebs in my brain

[Tracy · Rating 1 out of 5]

No

Thank God this book only cost my £1 cause this is not worth paying any more for it . Don't waste your time reading it go do something else

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are so fun and delightful, I love them!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this quick little book. Listened on audio. Great ideas for the holiday season. 4.5 rounded ups

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas inspiration

Another wonderful book by this very lovely author! Such great ideas for decor and entertaining I turn to it often as I do with all of her books

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading A Chic and Simple Christmas by Fiona Ferris. A book about simplifying Christmas from decluttering to shortening the who to buy for list. I did however find the sloppiness of missing words in sentences irritating. Which is why I’ve deducted stars. Even with these errors, A Chic & Simple Christmas was an enjoyable read. The book doesn’t focus on the consumerism side of Christmas. It focuses on how to make Christmas simpler, from less gifts to buy to owning fewer yet more meaningful decorations and having fewer commitments around the Christmas break too.

Edit - I read this book again during Christmas 2024. Sadly not a re-read for me, so will be donated. It’s an enjoyable short read. Preferred this to Fiona’s How to be Chic in Winter book. But there’s nothing new to learn than what’s on her blog.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona's grace and spirit shine in this short but sweet reminder that Christmas/the Winter Holiday is a time for live, family, and fun.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very good tips in this book
I am going to implement some of them this year

[Mimi Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem from Fiona. I am looking forward to implementing her suggestions!