How Cassidy Montalvo Creates Her Own Holiday Magic

Lifestyle creator Cassidy Montalvo has built a strong community of those who want to see her take on DIYs, beauty, and style. This season, the influencer who is known for blending nostalgia with modern trends, invites us into the holiday magic that she is creating for her own daughters. In this conversation, Montalvo shares what she holds most dear at this time of year, a glimpse into her own festive style tips, and takes us through her perfectly curated holiday wishlist.

Haute Living: What is your favorite part about the holidays? What do you look forward to most?

Cassidy Montalvo: I feel like this changes with each season of life I enter. Currently, as a mother to two beautiful, spirited girls, my favorite part of the holidays is getting to recreate the magic I grew up with. There’s something so special about them experiencing the traditions I loved as a kid! I look forward to that feeling of nostalgia from the ’90s and early 2000s—the lights, the music, the tree, the chaos, the baking, and even moving that dang elf around. All of it creates core memories. I’ve become so aware that I’m in charge of my girls’ childhood, and I take that job seriously, especially during the holidays. Every year, I look forward to making this season as special as I can!

HL: How are you dressing for a holiday party?

CM: One of my favorite hacks for holiday party outfits is to lean into festive accessories. You can save so much time and money by starting with pieces you already own and feel great in—like your go-to little black dress or a pair of classic slacks and a blouse. From there, it’s so easy to transform the look with holiday accents: fun Christmas-tree earrings, a red and green plaid headband, a bold red lip, or even a pop of red in your shoes. There are countless ways to dress up what you already feel comfortable in, and you can completely avoid the last-minute mall panic. I keep a pair of holiday-themed earrings for every season so I can throw them on with my favorite party dress!

HL: What is your makeup routine for a holiday party?

CM: For holiday parties, I love a glam that feels timeless, but festive! I go for a glowy base, soft diffused eyes with gold shimmer, and strong lashes to create a subtle cat-eye effect. Warm blush, light contour, and – of course – a bold red lip finish the look. (Personally, I will forever be a diehard Dior 999 lipstick girl!)

HL: What is on your holiday wishlist this year?

CM: At the top of my wishlist is a big one, but I’ve fallen in love with the Chloé Château Treasures crossbody bag! It’s such a stunner—and hey, you never know what Santa might bring! I also love personalized jewelry – there’s something so special about it. The Lily & Roo gold personalized family calendar necklace is another piece high on my wishlist. The third item is a bit more unique, but I’m a crafter at heart and have always wanted to try actual metal smithing and jewelry making, so I added a metalsmith starter kit. I’m also loving the JC x FP x UL two-step flats from Understated Leather—I’m a sucker for a unique shoe! And finally, also from Understated Leather, the Mercy Fringe Jacket has been on my radar for so long, but I’ve never been able to pull the trigger. Maybe this will be the year!