WRAP IT UP AND PUT A BOW ON IT - AUTHOR MEREDITH CRAIG SHOWS US HOW ITS DONE

Author Meredith Craig and Tony De Pietro

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Each week we give you a behind the scenes look into the people places and cultures that inspire our brand. Travel is a key part of why we love our company so much as we get to work with artisans from all over the world while eating and sleeping our way throughs the countries we visit for work and pleasure.  

This week we take you to NYC where our dear friends Meredith and Tony did a vibe switch and celebrated Xmas Dinner with a New Year's Eve Theme. 

Meredith's Glitter Ball Table Decor

Some hosts perfect a tradition so well that guests expect it year after year. And then there are those rare moments when instinct says: switch it up, press fast-forward, and dance into the future. This Christmas, author Meredith Craig De  Pietro did exactly that—wrapping up the familiar and putting a glittering bow on something entirely new.

Known for her annual tartan-themed Christmas dinner (a classic, cozy ritual beloved by all), Meredith decided this year called for a different kind of magic. Out went the plaids, and in came a Disco Glitter Ball fantasy, channeling the carefree days of Studio 54—when the music was loud, the lights sparkled, and the world felt just a little lighter. It was a deliberate act of joy, a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to dance through it.

The soundtrack? Nothing less than the liberating rhythms of Donna Summer, whose voice alone feels like permission to let go.

Designer Ralph Lauren in his Tuxedo

Her husband, Antonio—Tony to all who know him—renowned ad executive and master of mood—understood the assignment immediately. In a year that felt triumphant for some and heavy for many, the message of the night was simple: reset is a choice. Christmas became New Year’s Eve. Reflection became anticipation. The global VHS tape rewound… then pushed boldly to fast-forward.

Thanks to Amazon, pulling off a full-scale glitter transformation was surprisingly effortless. Mirror balls, metallic accents, and disco drama arrived with ease—freeing up time and energy for what mattered most: creating the vibe.

Homemade Gordon Ramsay 2 Day cured Beef Wellington

The menu, however, was another story. A slow-cooked, two-day Beef Wellington reminded everyone that while sparkle can be instant, some traditions—like patience and devotion in the kitchen—are still worth the wait.

Style sealed the night. Tony took inspiration from the legendary ease of Ralph Lauren—that iconic tuxedo-and-jeans nonchalance—while Meredith stunned in a head-to-toe designer glitter ensemble that shimmered with confidence and intention. And the guests? They read the room perfectly. Without a word spoken, everyone arrived in black and white, completing the visual harmony like a perfectly choreographed finale.

The De Pietro Family

It was proof of something we all need reminding of now and then:
A theme is more than décor. It’s a feeling. A decision. A moment.

This Christmas, Meredith and Tony didn’t just host a dinner.
They wrapped up the year, tied it with a bow, and danced straight into what’s next. ✨🪩

Have a great NYE and set your table with Glitter Balls and put on Donna Summer's "Last Dance" and get down in your living room!

Follow The Crowd is Meredith Craig on Substack.

MICHOU