Mariah Carey Answers Vogue’s Holiday Questions—From Festive Styling Tips to Hosting No-Nos
Now that Halloween has come and gone, we can officially put spooky season to rest—and the festive holiday season has come in to fill the void. And who better to ring in this cheery time of year than with Mariah Carey—the undisputed queen of Christmas? (Because, as she would say: “It’s tiiiime!”)
Consider her defrosted: This week, Carey was announced as the new star of Gucci’s 2026 holiday campaign, and last night the singer attended the Italian label’s private store event in New York City to kick off the festive party season.
In the new campaign video, Carey arrives at a holiday party decked out in full Demna-era Gucci—mix-and-mingling with guests, set to the tune of—what else?—her enduring hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Last night, Carey kept the celebrations going by handing out (Gucci!) gifts to all of the party attendees. A full choir even sang renditions of some of her best Christmas hits.
Pre-soirée, however, Vogue couldn’t resist the chance to catch a private moment with Carey and ask her some of our burning questions. From her festive styling tips to her party hosting no-nos, read on for the superstar’s hottest holiday takes.
Vogue: Hi, Mariah! How was it shooting your new Gucci holiday campaign?
Mariah Carey: It was so fun shooting the campaign. I had a lot of favorite moments—mainly the one with the dog. Did you see the dog? So cute. That was festive.
As the queen of the holidays, what do you love about this time of year?
I love everything about this time of year. It’s just … something that I can’t explain. I’ve been in love with Christmas my whole life, and now when we celebrate and we do all of the things, it opens up a whole other moment of festivity.
What does Christmas morning look like in the Carey household?
What are my traditions in the morning? I’m not a morning person, that’s the thing. I wait till mid-afternoon, and then we start with the opening of the gifts and all the things. It’s fun and festive.
Do you have any favorite family holiday traditions with the kids?
I do—but they will take a long time to explain. We see Santa every year. We go on a sleigh ride together with him. We drink hot chocolate.
Does Mariah cook during the holidays? If so, what?
I do cook during the holidays. It’s one of my favorite things to do, and I don’t cook earlier in the year. I wait ’til Christmas Eve, or the day before Christmas Eve, and I make linguini with white clam sauce—the way my dad used to make it. Everybody has that. I also make a red sauce. It’s one of my favorite things. And then I’ll just eat that for the next few days.
What about a go-to Christmas cocktail?
Eggnog. Come on! You put whatever brown liquor you have, and then just throw it into the eggnog, and it’s eggnog.
How would you describe your perfect holiday party outfit?
Well, I’m wearing these Gucci boots, which I love. They don’t hurt—that’s number one—and I think they’re very chic, darling. And this Gucci dress is a sleek, black, wonderful moment.
What are your dos-and-don’ts for hosting a holiday bash?
I don’t usually have a holiday bash, because I’m just doing my own thing. Is that not good? I’m not big on hosting. I’d rather go to something [where] someone’s a really good hostess or host, and then I can just join in on the fun.
Name three fellow celebrities, past or present, that you’d invite to your holiday party?
I’m going to have Marilyn Monroe. Tupac. And then I’m just going to set up a table for my dogs, and make them really happy. The dogs get a seat at the table. They have to be there.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever given? And the best gift you’ve ever received?
Diamonds. And diamonds.
Your song “All I Want For Christmas is You” is the gift that keeps on giving. What does it mean to you today?
I love the song today, yesterday—whenever. It’s just something that I wrote. I wasn’t trying to write the biggest holiday song [ever]. I was just there writing my little song that ended up lasting. So it’s been a great experience.
Do you have a most underrated Christmas song?
No. I have to fight for my song!
Post-Christmas, will you have a New Year’s resolution this year?
It’s too much work to go from Halloween straight into Christmas, and then think of a New Year’s resolution. I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see what else happens between now and New Year’s.
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.