How to Prepare Your Shoes for the Holiday Season

The holiday season brings its own rhythm — dinners, gatherings, travel, and the simple desire to feel put together when it matters most. It also brings rain, cold air, and sometimes snow, all of which can take a toll on leather if we’re not prepared.

The good news? Preparing your shoes for the holidays doesn’t require a long or complicated routine. A few thoughtful steps are enough to protect them from winter weather and ensure they look their best for festive occasions.

Protecting Your Shoes from Rain, Snow & Winter Weather

Water, salt, and cold air are leather’s biggest enemies during winter. The key is to protect before you step outside — not after damage appears.

Before the season truly sets in, I always apply a protective layer using Saphir Médaille d’Or Super Invulner. It creates an invisible barrier against rain, snow, and dirt without altering the leather’s appearance.

Let shoes dry naturally, away from any heat source
Insert cedar shoe trees immediately after wear
Once dry, brush gently to restore the surface

These small habits make a remarkable difference over the winter months.

Traveling During the Holidays

Holiday travel often means packed schedules and little time for full routines. Preparation is what keeps shoes looking fresh while on the move.

Before packing, I always brush shoes lightly and insert shoe trees until the last possible moment. When traveling, wrapping shoes in a cloth or shoe bag helps prevent friction and scuffs.

For quick touch-ups away from home, I like to keep:

A compact brush
A clean chamois cloth
Saphir Médaille d’Or Traveler’s Pâte de Luxe for discreet maintenance

A light refresh is usually all that’s needed — no full polishing session required.

Preparing Shoes for Christmas Dinner

For holiday dinners, the goal isn’t an aggressive mirror shine. What you want is a clean, elegant finish that feels appropriate and confident.

A simple approach I rely on every year:

Brush thoroughly to remove dust
Apply a light layer of Saphir Médaille d’Or Pommadier Cream to nourish and even the color
Finish with a very thin layer of Saphir Pâte de Luxe on the toe only
Brush gently for a soft, natural glow

This creates a refined shine that complements formal wear without ever feeling overdone.

A Simple Holiday Shoe Care Routine (10–15 Minutes)

When time is short, this is the routine I return to again and again during the holidays:

Brush the entire shoe
Apply a light layer of cream and let it absorb
Add wax only where needed
Check edges and heels ( the Edge & Heel Pen is very handy here!)
Finish with shoe trees

Prepared shoes remove one more thing from your mind — allowing you to focus on the moments that truly matter.

A Note From Me

The holiday season is made of small, meaningful moments — arriving at a warm home, sitting down to dinner, sharing time with family and friends. Taking care of what carries you through these moments is part of that quiet magic.

Caring for your shoes doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s a peaceful pause in a busy season — a way to slow down, feel grounded, and step into the holidays with confidence and care.

Thank you, as always, for sharing this journey of craftsmanship and care.

Warm regards,
Preston Soto

The Elegant Oxford
Excellence in Every Step