Artist and photographer Sarah Bahbah attracted a cult following with her Tumblr-esque photographs stamped with whimsical subtitles (preorder her new book Dear Lovehere). Lucky for us, the romantic approaches all aspects of her life with that same concoction of decadence, humor, and vulnerability—and when it comes to the holiday season, connection and indulgence (in that order) take priority. Raised in a world where love was expressed through vast Palestinian spreads, Bahbah now expresses her affection in the same manner. Tinged with her own tongue-in-cheek signature, she’s serving Popeye’s biscuits with crème fraîche and royal Oscietra caviar or baba ganoush and hummus in crystal glassware. Below, the creative soul reveals a bit more about how she entertains during the season (her birthday is also in December), plus her go-to from-the-heart gifts.
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Bahbah
When I say holiday season, what's your gut reaction?
“I love it. I'm a festive person. I don't really care so much directly about Christmas or New Year's and the things that come [with them]. That's not really why I get excited. I really love the aspect of bringing family and friends together. I am such a passionate cook and I have all these recipes that I love to make for my friends. And I love hosting. I really like to bring everyone together to celebrate all the things that happened that year, whether they were positive or negative."
Any traditions you keep alive this time of year?
“I actually play a game at the dinner table; I've been doing this for maybe five or seven years now. For the holidays, the first question is, ‘What's the most magical thing you've seen this year?’ Then, ‘What's the most important thing you've learned?’ And everyone goes around and answers them and discusses them. It's always such a powerful moment, because you also get to learn through your friend's stories and actually listen to the things that they've experienced. Everyone cries.”
Set the scene for me when you host something around this time of year. What are you cooking? What's on the playlist? How do you decorate? All those things.
“I did one for my birthday a few nights ago. We rented a cabin in Topanga. I had white tablecloths [across] two tables. It was a 14-person party and I got a bunch of candle holders and candles and then vintage vases and just stacks of roses going down—red roses. Then I had these pink plates with gold edges. For the appetizer, we had Popeye's biscuits with crème fraîche and royal Oscietra caviar and that was incredible. Then, lots of champagne and I always set up a bar on the side so everyone can just go and make their cocktails. Then for the main, I have a spicy vodka sauce that all my friends are obsessed with. I make it once or twice a year.We had that with paccheri pasta. We indulged. And then there's more wine. Sometimes we get a little crazy, whip out the mezcal—the Casa Azul. We all hang out in the living room after. “
Photos: Courtesy of Sarah Bahbah
What makes the cut for your holiday playlist? Are you a traditional gal or do you just have your own version of festive?
“I'll pick the songs that made me feel so charged and excited that year. I have so many playlists; I do them based on mood. For dinner parties specifically, I'll pull the best songs from all my playlists to create a vibe. Music makes me feel the most. It takes me to the times where I've repeated songs during a happy period or a sad period. Listening to songs that are connected to nostalgia really does give me access to feeling. I created this playlist for my 30th. It's a list of songs that reflect three decades of nostalgia.”
What do you like to indulge in a little extra extravagance when you get dressed this time of year? Or do you just keep it simple?
“I like to dress up. Last night, I wore an Alaïa black dress with these shiny Gucci tights and then these huge, huge silver Versace pumps. I wore this silver diamond Miu Miu headband, as well. That felt very festive.”
Do you decorate your own space for the holidays?
"Because the holidays and my birthday are so close together, everyone sent me flowers. My my table's just fully covered with so many flowers. There's over 500 flowers. It just keeps growing. That's become [the festive decor]."
Do you have some things that you're planning to gift a few people in your life?
“I like to give 'We're Not Really Strangers,' it's a card game that helps build connections. Koreen [Odiney], who created it, is just such a genius and I love her to bits. That's usually my go-to. I also do natural wines. If I know this person appreciates wines, I'll sign them up to a membership so they get three bottles a month or for the year. Then, I also like to give caviar.”
Photo: Courtesy of Sarah Bahbah
Any specific plans for friends or loved ones, of something that you've picked out for their specific interests?
“I don't gift exclusively for holidays. When I see something for someone, I'll buy it, just because it's a part of my love language. I got my boyfriend these limited edition canvas prints from Mark Maggiori. He's this Western painter from France and they're these really big, beautiful canvas prints that I've framed. I'm a big fan.”
What would be on your holiday party mood board?
“I like decadence. I'm just a big fan of indulgent spreads. Being Palestinian, we grew up with just so much food and my mom's cooking all over the table. Food is her love language, which was passed down to me. So, when we invite people over, it's just so extra. There are so many plates of so many different things. Nothing makes us happier than having everyone just enjoying themselves and eating. For me, I like crystal glassware with hummus inside. I like vintage, antique pieces. I like having the napkin holder be maybe silver or gold and with pearls on it. That kind of vibe."
Any other food items that are a classic on your holiday table?
“It depends on the theme, but, I'm definitely cooking Middle Eastern—Palestinian—food for my friends. Just your traditional spreads of hummus, baba ganoush. We have fūl, which is beans with a lot of garlic. Everyone just smells and tastes like garlic afterwards. I like using arak, sometimes it's 80% alcohol, but it tasts like licorice. It's smoky so you add ice and water to it. You just slow sip it throughout dinner which is really nice. These are all traditional elements that I always do at my house.”
Are there any movies that you like to watch this time of year?
“I always watch The Holiday. I think it's such a classic. It's so good—I'm a big fan of that film.”
You said you visualize the world in colors. What's the color palette of your mood right now in this moment of your life?
“It's warm tones like the fireplace and just a lot of reds, golds, browns. But then, when I think of what's going to make me truly relax, it's the beach. Anything with cool colors and blatant sunshine.”
Shop Her Gift Recommendations:
Card Game
“I like to give We're Not Really Strangers; it's a card game that helps build connections.. That's usually my go-to."
Prepaid Three Months Club
“If I know this person appreciates wines, I'll sign them up to a membership so they get three bottles [of natural wine] a month or for the year.”
Arak
"There are so many [good makers of Arak] but any from the Palestine or Jordan region.”
Caviar
“I like decadence. I'm just a big fan of indulgence spreads. [So,] I also like to give caviar.”
Living with Mountains
“I got my boyfriend these limited edition canvas prints from Mark Maggiori. He's this Western, Texas painter from France and they're these really big, beautiful canvas prints that I've framed. I'm a big fan.”
Dear Love by Sarah Bahbah
“So if it was ready, I would gift my book a hundred percent. I feel like every year that I created, I wanted to make a book, but I never felt like I had enough. I wanted it to hold everything. I wanted it to be my story in one place. That's a lot of pressure and I think being patient with it and really taking my time to curate something that felt whole meant a lot to me—that's why I finally did it.”