Pia Jane's Merry Little Christmas.

All images via Pia Jane Bijkerk

Meet Pia Jane, an Australian stylist and photographer who divides her time between Sydney, Paris and Amsterdam. I know you'll enjoy reading about Pia's holiday traditions as much as I have. Thanks Pia! xx

My typical Christmas morning It's been a few years since I've had a typical Christmas morning and oh, how I do miss them! A typical Christmas morning back in Sydney though would be looking out the window to check the weather as soon as I wake. Most Christmas mornings in Sydney have been spent at the beach, taking a dip and soaking in a little sun before heading back to prepare for Christmas dinner.

The best thing about Christmas Having the family together.

The worst If I happen to not be in Sydney, then being away from my family on Christmas day is the worst.

Gift-giving philosophy We just give gifts to the children in the family now, it makes the lead up to Christmas day alot less stressful! My partner and i do not exchange gifts either, just that we are able to spend the day together is wonderful enough. We try to do something special though, before or after christmas day - whether it be a special dinner somewhere that we have wanted to go for a while, or a little weekend holiday of sorts - something like a date, just the two of us.

Shopping destinations My shopping destinations are based on sustainability + how the products are made, so I often do my christmas shopping online. Or if I know there is a shop nearby that sells fabulous organic/eco-friendly items then I go there. For all the kids in my family this year i found some awesome toys and clothing from various etsy boutiques.


Budget My budget for Christmas depends on my financial situation throughout the year. As a freelancer, work comes and goes so come Christmas time I just spend within my means like the rest of the year, with the ultimate goal to spend nothing! Or as close to nothing as possible. When I was a teenager and then later when i was going to University, my best friend and i had a rule that we would make each other something and it had to be under a certain amount, like $10 or something. He was really good with making things from wood, and i was good at painting so we would often draw or carve something for each other and I have to tell you, those years of gift giving with him were some of the best. Once, he made me a tall CD rack, carving the slots for each CD by hand! Some of the slots don't fit CD's, and I love it like that. I think the best gift I made him was a large charcoal drawing of a girl sitting in the sun. He never fails to have it in pride of place in each home he has moved to. I love that - even after 15 years he still has that naive and funny painting. It's really special.

Receiving gifts I'm no good at receiving gifts! I've been so involved in giving to others in my humanitarian work that I feel funny when people give to me. That's why I am very happy that my family no longer exchange gifts at Christmas time! It suits me well.

Wrapping tips Oh I love wrapping! I have some wrapping tips here on my blog.


Decorations Oh I love decorations! I have some decorating favourites here on my blog too!

Theme This year I'm into greys + whites, with glowing candles - simple, sophisticated, and stylish.

The tree I usually don't have a Christmas tree, only because i travel so much and cannot maintain the tree (I never buy plastic trees). But if I DID have a tree, oh how much fun it would be to decorate! I like to decorate with whatever I have on hand. I always decorate my parents tree when they have one (not every year), and I combine the old baubles with left over ribbon strips from my craft projects throughout the year, fabric strips, old earrings that I no longer like to wear. I'm known to wander through my parent's home and look through all the cupboards to see what I can create. When my mum sees me with my head buried deep inside an old cupboard she rolls her eyes and says, "hmm, now what are you looking for?". Then she is always suprised at what I create from what I find.

My decorating wish That everyone uses what they already have, or buys ornaments that are second hand. that is my wish.

The menu Again that depends on what country I'm in - last year I was with my partners family in France and we had escargot, oysters, foie gras and champagne... and that was just for starters! This year I will be in Sydney and we are just planning to have a very simple Christmas meal of roast turkey, salads, and roast vegetables. My Mum will hopefully be able to make her delicious trifle and my Aunt has already made her delicious Christmas pudding. My Grandmother always brings mince tarts which are my favourite Christmas treats.


The vibe Since we will be in Sydney it will be very relaxed and easy going, and certainly so if it is a super hot day. we will spend the day by the pool if it is hot. If it is not a sunny day, then we will just relax on the covered deck and watch the rain fall and listen to the cockatoos in the trees.

Your best timesaver tips making lists. That way you can tick things off and you can order things better when you write them down - alot of my time is spent planning itineraries for my days so that I maximise my time while I'm out. And I avoid making individual trips for singular items.

The wow factor is in how relaxed you are - that is always the wow factor.

Preparing for guests Music and drinks are always the things I ensure are ready for my guests arrival. I try to have everything else already prepped because once guests arrive I get so distracted with them that I can't concentrate on preparing the food! That is about the time my partner takes over, and i entertain the guests while he finishes what I started.

On boxing day I'll be... sleeping in. oh, i do hope so.