Written by Susan Broussard | Photography by Lluvia Guillot
The Guillot home is ready for a party year-round, but come Christmas season, its doors open a little wider for a happy rhythm of weekly celebrations.
“When November hits, I work to keep our home party-perfect and ready for anyone who walks through the door,” Angie said. “My joy is having feet under our table to share a meal.” From Halloween to New Year’s Day, the Guillots host work parties, church gatherings, family celebrations and guests passing through, along with their regular Bible studies, women’s groups and mahjong nights.
The Guillots built their custom home in central Louisiana with hospitality in mind. The large kitchen anchors an open living space, with a dining room tucked into the far corner. It is Angie’s favorite room and where she enjoys her morning quiet time with a cup of tea. Black-painted beadboard walls and gold accents create an intimate space reminiscent of her grandmother’s home in Greenwood, Louisiana.
Born and raised in Shreveport, Angie met her husband, David, at Louisiana Tech. They eventually settled in Woodworth, where they have made their home for 28 years. During those years, Angie assembled a breathtaking holiday collection, layering family heirlooms with decorations ranging from discount bargains to boutique treasures. Among her favorites is her grandmother’s white tree skirt with hand-sewn sequins, now draped over a small table.
“You don’t have to spend a fortune to make your home beautiful, and I believe in using what you have,” Angie said. “Sometimes you get caught up shopping when what you need is already at home.” Though a talented home stylist, Angie considers the beautiful surroundings a backdrop for something far more important. “My motivation is to bring as many people as possible through those doors,” she said. “If you are going to get the punch bowl out, just leave it out all the time!”
Early on, Angie admired women in Shreveport who generously opened their homes, regardless of their size or the occasion. “I knew that was the wife I wanted to be and the home I wanted to have,” she said. Her inspiration comes from Lydia in Acts 16:14–15, who insisted that Paul accept her hospitality. Like Lydia, Angie wants her guests comfortable, well-fed and genuinely loved.
Angie’s gift for hospitality evolved naturally. In the late 1990s, she began creating personalized wreaths for friends’ hospital room doors, followed by decorating mantels and bookshelves. Soon, she was hosting everything from election parties to church celebrations. “After my third child was born, I decided to open a home gift shop with a freezer full of ready-to-go takeout suppers,” Angie said. “I learned to cook in bulk, and that propelled me to coordinating large events and weddings.”
Her organizational skills eventually led to a turnkey event business known for delicious menus, budget-friendly options and thoughtful details. But as her children grew, her priorities shifted. Today, she rarely accepts event coordination jobs, preferring to devote her energy to family and friends. “I’ve turned the corner into the best season of my life,” Angie said. “Saying ‘no’ to work opportunities has allowed us to do what we enjoy most. We now have a revolving door of friends and family that we are able to host in our home.”
That revolving door influenced the design of their home. A bunk room accommodates groups, another guest room is designed after the exact specs of a hotel suite and offers two queen beds. Then, a private guest suite provides a peaceful retreat. Hotel-style amenities and plush towels make visitors feel especially welcome.
The home has also grown into a gathering place for an expanding family. “For years, I was usually alone in the kitchen, but in 2018 we brought home our daughter through international adoption,” Angie explained. “Soon after, all three of our sons were married. Just like that, I went from zero daughters to four, plus a precious 2½-year-old granddaughter. It has been an explosion of growth in the best possible way.”
With children living in four different cities, gathering everyone takes flexibility. When an opportunity arises, Angie and David happily rearrange their plans. “When we are all together under one roof, it is a lot of chaos! We are just loud and the laughter is nonstop – it is my favorite time.”
Christmas at the Guillots’ is a celebration of family memories, traditions and a little whimsy. Every room, including the guest rooms, has its own Christmas tree. The trees include a 12-foot tree that reaches toward the 18-foot ceiling, a family travel tree, an arch tree, a Louisiana tree and a “victor of the moment” tree celebrating special accomplishments. Past themes have included an LSU National Championship and the year their 6-foot-5-inch son played Buddy the Elf in community theater. This year’s tree celebrates America’s 250th birthday. Another room features a sweet pink tree especially for their adopted daughter.
On Christmas Eve, Angie often serves a bubbling pot of gumbo with sweet potatoes and salad, keeping the meal simple and the kitchen manageable. Other years, family members choose their favorite dish for Angie to prepare. The menu might include shrimp fettuccine, chicken enchiladas, and a tray of sushi. “It makes for a strange menu, but our kitchen island is full, and they go home with a lot of food,” she laughed.
Angie keeps plenty of lidded containers on hand for leftovers, a tradition inspired by her Cajun mother-in-law, who lovingly packed food for her adult children after family meals. “I’ve always tried to mimic her generosity because I remember how loved it made us feel,” Angie said. “I never cook a small amount, and all of my pots are big.”
Although her menus are often simple, Angie believes in bringing out the good dishes, even when guests arrive in T-shirts and shorts. She encourages women to enjoy the treasures they have tucked away for safekeeping. “They might get broken, but that’s okay,” she said. “Things like dishes have no eternal value, but they definitely hold earthly memories. They will spark conversations of family history and build memories for the next generation.”
She also finds creative uses for everyday pieces. Plastic crawfish platters become buffet trays, cocktail glasses hold silverware, and antique teacups serve as individual charcuterie bowls.
Preparing for a celebration takes countless hours of decorating, cooking, baking and cleaning. Angie admits she can resemble busy Martha in Luke 10:38–42, striving to make everything perfect. But once her guests arrive, she becomes Mary, setting aside the details to focus on the people before her. “Hospitality is making people feel comfortable in your home,” Angie said. “It is not about using the right fork, but it is about making every person who comes through your door feel welcomed and loved.”
Her approach to entertaining reflects a deeper purpose. “Food gets people in the door, but what’s really important is what happens after,” she said. “You can go to restaurants for convenience, but the best conversations are around your table. There is something special about being invited into someone’s home.”
For Angie, hospitality is also an expression of faith. “We only have so many days, and I want to use my home to show others the love of Jesus. I truly want people to grow in Christ, and you can open that dialogue when people are comfortable.”
She believes meaningful connections are worth the investment, whether through a handwritten card, a shared meal or an elaborate celebration. One of her simplest traditions may be her most meaningful. Angie regularly places a name card at each setting, reminding every guest that someone has thoughtfully prepared a place just for them. “That simple card allows a guest to know that they were wanted, planned for and expected,” she said.
Then Angie shares the beautiful promise behind that tradition. “One day when I am in heaven, there will be a great feast. And because of my relationship with Jesus, I know there’s a place card with my name on it. There is a seat waiting for me at that glorious table where I am wanted, planned for and expected.” Ultimately, that is the very message Angie wants every guest to carry home after putting their feet under her table.