‘Queer Eye”s Jeremiah Brent on How to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Hosting

Abby Montanez
·4 min read

Interior designer and TV personality Jeremiah Brent clearly has an eye for style. Needless to say, the newest member of Queer Eye’s Fab Five has the festive decorations handled this time of year, but the holidays to him are really about comfort and connection—and that applies to gift-giving too. In addition to sharing his designer-approved styling strategy and entertaining tips with Robb Report, Brent also discussed his partnership with Klarna for a five senses approach to gifting to help others shop more intentionally this season.

“The idea is when you go through this guide, you see the senses and the story behind why I’ve curated it this way and you can find parts of your own story through those pieces,” he says. “Everything in there is rooted in ceremony and ritual, whether it’s scent, sight, or touch. There’s a thoughtfulness around each of the items.”

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While Brent’s shopping list includes everything from an Hermès teacup to Loewe hand soap, he and his husband, Nate Berkus, are going off script when it comes to their two children. “The kids are getting a dog this Christmas. A brand-new puppy,” he says. “I had a dog for 18 years that I had to put down, but the kids have wanted one for so long so we’re going to surprise them at Christmas with a puppy, so I’m really excited about that.”

Below, Brent dishes on his approach to entertaining, seasonal decorating, and the festive traditions that make this time of year more meaningful.

jeremiah brent holiday gift guide
Queer Eye‘s resident design expert Jeremiah Brent.

Go Traditional With Decor—Or Don’t

For Brent, there are no rules when it comes to decking the halls. Not feeling the traditional Christmas color palette? Don’t be afraid to switch things up. “Decorating for me is always rooted in neutrals,” he says. “I’m not a big red and green kind of gal. I love hints of metallic.”

No matter what your decorating scheme ends up being, Brent’s top tip is incorporating pieces that have a personal history and are rooted in story.  “I have a girlfriend who’s got hundreds of porcelain houses, and she creates these massive villages,” he adds. “That’s my absolute nightmare but going there and seeing them in her house makes me so happy.”

Take the Stress Out of Entertaining

Easy and breezy is Brent’s mantra for holiday hosting. While the stress of entertaining can certainly creep in this time of year, the key for a successful celebration is maximizing the space you have—whether big or small—so guests can move freely.

“I like to create an environment that’s really easy for people to come and go,” he says. “I’ll fill the dining table with charcuterie and different hand foods and then in the living room I’ll set up a bar so people can walk around. It’s all about connection and coming together.”

Practice Intentional Gift Giving

While Brent’s favorite items to gift are focused on the five senses, he recommends tailoring the present to your loved one as much as possible. “The best gift I’ve ever been given was a really beautiful note from my husband from one of the first times we met, and it was in a gorgeous silver frame. I still have it framed in the house,” he says.

If you’re struggling to find a gift for that one tricky person on your list, Brent loves Klarna’s AI shopping assistant that helps you compare and search products across a range of different categories. “I know people are busy and not everybody has the time and sit down and think of something,” he adds. “It’s a great funneling tool for people.”

Keep Traditions Alive

As time passes, holiday rituals can easily fade away. Over the years, Brent has enjoyed making new traditions as a family and noted the importance of not letting one specific annual activity fall by the wayside as his children grow older. “I’m a big cook,” he explains. “I make a huge dinner with a really great ham and all these side dishes, and it’s just the four of us on Christmas. It’s always been our tradition. It’s something we’ve protected since the kids were born and something I’m really looking forward to.”

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