Family Tradition

Gretchen and her daughters, Megan and Phoebe, and their families celebrate Christmas Eve together. True to the artist’s sensibility, decorations are unfussy. The handmade ceramic tree, is a gift from a friend; the snow globe, vase, and reindeer come from Gretchen’s favorite local gift shop, Simple Pleasures. A few antique ornaments on an ironstone plate complement the multitude of reds on the table. The menu is simple and light: champagne, shrimp cocktail, salad, popovers, and nime chow from Apsara Palace, a Hope Street venue that receives rave reviews for its Southeast Asian cuisine.