Secrets from the Queen of Christmas!

Many of us deck the halls after Thanksgiving, but not Kathy Hilton-she started back in September! Here, the “friend” of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shares her go-to holiday traditions, easy tips and festive gifts for making this season merry and bright

- DEANNA BARNERT & MELISSA D'AGNESE

Whether she’s trimming the tree, hosting festive parties—which earned her the nickname “Queen of Christmas”—or simply gathering at her California home with family and friends, Kathy Hilton loves everything about the holiday season.

In fact, the 66-year-old reality star was just crowned QVC’s Mrs. Claus—which expands her role with the beloved network after her series, Your Splendid Space with Kathy Hilton, launched earlier this year. The honor meant Kathy got to celebrate Christmas in July this year, but her own holiday preparations usually begin in early fall—and getting it done early is one of her keys to staying calm and stress-free all season.

“I love the classic color scheme of red, gold and white—it creates such an elegant look,” says Kathy, mom to Paris, Nicky, Barron and Conrad. “And the grandkids know that when they come over to Kiki and Papa’s house, it’s always a winter wonderland!”

The grandmother of eight—Lily-Grace, Teddy, Chasen, Milou, Caspian, Apollo, Phoenix and London—says inviting the little ones to decorate at least one tree is part of the fun. “Seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child, you really get to relive that joy yourself. So I have a few kid-type trees in the playroom where everything but the kitchen sink goes on them,” Kathy says. “I also have some shatterproof ornaments they can decorate with. It’s sweet to have them involved in the tradition of decorating, but they all know the rest of the trees are just to look at,” she laughs. “My other trees are works of art. I’ve even trained the cats and the dogs not to pull things off!”