How can I survive the silly season with less stress using a Cape Town mindset?
A calm, no-pressure approach lets you pace celebrations and stay flexible.
What are simple ways to make Christmas feel relaxed and personal?
Small, found decor and intimate gatherings create warm, memorable moments without overdoing it.
How does Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs balance creativity and pragmatism during holidays?
She blends thoughtful planning with serendipity to keep celebrations enjoyable and low stress.
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Bird-Theme Natural Christmas Decor
“I find that big holidays and events make me a little anxious. So I like to break them up a bit over a couple of days and leave space for serendipity.” This is Cape Town-based Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs’ serene and sensible philosophy to survive the silly season. No pressure, no expectations, no disappointment. Her calm approach is echoed in every detail of her home, from the easygoing rhythm of her festive gatherings to the subtle charm of the natural Christmas decor she brings in with found objects, earthy tones, and personal touches. “For instance, take Christmas. It can be a Christmas Eve dinner with a few friends and family, a large Christmas Day brunch with family, or just a simple Boxing Day lunch with one or two friends… There’s no pressure for one day or one meal to be extra special. If the cake flops I can always serve it the next day for breakfast with lots of yoghurt!”
Stephanie prepares her signature pear-and-apricot spiced cake
Homeowner Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs’ new creative venture, the whimsically titled Bird-Dog-Bokkie, includes experimenting with embroidery on linen.
The bird theme has beaten its way into this tranquil bedroom.
A fireplace mantlepiece offers myriad styling opportunities and can be easily transformed for seasonal decorating.
It’s an approach that is part temperament (friends and former colleagues will all attest to Stephanie’s composed nature) and part of the legacy of her professional past—one that required a balance of creativity and pragmatism during a career that spanned clothing designer, fashion editor and stylist, as well as head fashion buyer and marketing manager for a leading local retailer.
