MEGHAN Markle has revealed the benefits of having a non-traditional Christmas and spending the festive season with friends instead of family.
In an unearthed interview with Grazia, from before Meghan became a royal, the Duchess suggested hosting a buffet with mates instead of the traditional Christmas dinner.
The former actress, who ran her own lifestyle website The Tig, confessed she always made “way too much”, and advised on making an elegant table.
The Duchess, 39, suggested “keeping it simple and crisp” with the table laid with white crockery and a white table cloth.
Gilded plates should be used, along with napkin rings and a “stylish set of cutlery.”
She added: “All white flowers placed in the low vases are the perfect centerpiece.”
Meghan has proven she is a big fan of white blooms, having selected sweet peas, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia and Diana’s favourite forget-me-nots for her wedding.
When speaking about how to “fake fancy” her home, she advised: “Purchase silver serving trays, platters, nut bowls from flea markets or Etsy to add formality to hors d’oeuvres passing. ”
Meanwhile, for hallways you could add garlands or magnolia branches round banisters or mantelpieces.
“Holidays with your friends allows you to break the family traditions and avoid Aunt Julie’s fruit cake!” Meghan explained.
“Have each of your friends bring a dish or cook together in the kitchen.”
As well as food, it seems drinks flow freely at a Christmas party Meghan hosts, as she shared her signature ‘Almond Milk Spiced Holiday Cocktail’.
The mum-of-one advised you can serve it hot or cold, while she recommended garnishing it with a cinnamon stick if you’re warming it up.
While if it’s chilled pop it in a champagne glass with a sugar or cinnamon rim.
Also on the shopping list for Christmas parties were “mint julep cups” or Moscow mule mugs instead of drinking vessels.
While Meghan isn’t short on space in her £11 million nine-bedroom and 16-bathroom mansion, she also shared tips for how to host in a smaller space.
She advised utilising the kitchen if you only have a small table, saying: “If you do not have a proper set-up, use your dining room table or kitchen counter as a buffet.”
And there’s no such thing as too much food, as Meghan revealed herself as a big fan of leftovers.
She admitted she buys “way too much of everything for holiday meals”, but recommended recipes, such as wedges, for turning leftover food into a new dish.
It’s thought Meghan and Prince Harry will spend Christmas with Archie in their new home, due to coronavirus restrictions and the pair stepping down as senior royals.
Last year they also chose to spend Archie’s first Christmas with Meghan’s mum, Doria, although they spent the two Christmases prior to that with the Queen at Sandringham.
Meanwhile Meghan Markle was named as the most popular UK royal worldwide – beating Kate Middleton and the Queen.
And this is how pregnant Zara Tindall paved the way for Meghan Markle by being the first royal to bravely speak about miscarriage.
In other royal news, an HBO cartoon has sparked outrage as as seven-year-old Prince George and Royal Family are mocked in ‘cruel and unfair’ show.
