COMMUNITY
How Tess Madalyn Gigone Hosts the Holidays
By Natalie Gitt
Tess Madalyn Gigone has built a world defined by warmth and intention—grounded, intimate, and unmistakably her own. Whether she’s slow cooking, capturing quiet moments on film, or thoughtfully curating her table, the Toronto-based photographer, creator, and self-taught cook brings a lived-in, luminous quality to everything she does. From homemade pickles to neatly folded napkins, each detail is a quiet invitation to savor the rituals of home.
She’s the kind of host who cues a playlist long before guests arrive, her kitchen—both tidy and tenderly chaotic—alive with the scent of something simmering. Like her cooking, her approach to hosting feels intuitive and personal: less about perfection, more about presence. During the holidays, that sensibility becomes a gift—to guests, to the home, and to the spirit of gathering itself.
We spoke with Tess about all things holiday hosting, from wine pairing to menu planning and the traditions that shape her holiday table.
“I actually enjoy when people can be part of the process and watch the chaos unfold in real time.”
How do you prepare your space to create a mood or sense of anticipation before guests arrive?
I love setting the table ahead of time, lighting candles, and having music playing. It really sets the tone and creates a warm atmosphere throughout the house. The smell of food on the stove adds to that sense of anticipation, and I try to have the kitchen as tidy as possible before guests arrive. That said, if things get messy once everyone's here, I don't mind at all. I actually enjoy when people can be part of the process and watch the chaos unfold in real time.
What are the details that make your table feel truly personal and inviting?
Florals are everything to me when it comes to setting the table. I was a floral designer for a period of my life, and I love tapping back into that creative side when hosting. Arranging flowers makes the table feel special and personal, connecting my guests to something I'm truly passionate about.
“I'm such a sucker for a traditional holiday meal. I just look forward to the nostalgia of the dishes I love so much.”
What’s one dish that always makes it onto your holiday table? Is there a story behind it?
Ris à l'amande is a Danish rice pudding that my grandmother has made my whole life for the holidays, and it's always a staple on my table. It's one of those dishes that carries so much memory and tradition with it. It wouldn't feel like the holidays without it.
How do you approach holiday menu planning? Do you test dishes ahead of time, and how do you balance make-ahead recipes with what you cook day-of?
Everyone in my family cooks, and they're all such good cooks, so we typically share the load when it comes to holiday meals. Everyone brings something. I always make the turkey, and it's become something my family looks forward to, which I love. I'm such a sucker for a traditional holiday meal, so I don't feel the need to test new recipes or experiment. I just look forward to the nostalgia of the dishes I love so much.
What’s your process for choosing wines for a holiday gathering? Where do you start, and what do you think through when pairing?
I love exploring funky, natural wines. Orange wines and pét-nats are always my go-to. I'll usually pick up a few bottles that feel interesting and different, something that sparks conversation and adds a little personality to the table. I'm not super strict about pairing; I just want wines that feel exciting and make the meal more memorable.
When you’re setting the table, where do you begin?
I typically start with the florals or centerpiece and let that dictate the rest of the table. Different holidays feel different in the florals, and I love when the arrangements feel deeply connected to what we're celebrating. I like to keep the rest of the tablescape neutral—simple plating and linens so the centerpiece and florals can really shine and embody the holiday.
What Fable pieces do you reach for most when hosting?
I adore the classic glossy Pearl White dinnerware paired with the Flatware Set in Polished Silver. It's the perfect blank canvas. The simplicity of those pieces allows me to add interest through table linens, napkins, and glassware, while still keeping everything cohesive and elevated. It makes hosting feel effortless because the foundation is always beautiful and timeless.
Is there a holiday tradition from your childhood that you’re passing down to your daughter, or any new ones you’re starting together?
Growing up, the holidays were filled with Danish traditions—evergreen garlands, paper heart ornaments we'd make by hand, an advent candle wreath we'd light each week leading up to Christmas, hiding an almond in the ris à l'amande for good luck. I'm passing those down to my daughter while also weaving in seasonal crafts like needle felting, making simple quilts or stitched ornaments together, celebrating the winter solstice, and keeping a nature table that shifts with the seasons. I want her childhood to feel slow, intentional, and full of wonder.
