Even photogenic people don't look good from that angle - and there's zero hint of anything 'festive' other than the coverlines. A missed opportunity, because even people who don't like fashion love to dress up for the holidays.
This Dec/Jan issue will span most of the time leading up to Christmas, so going straight for that clean, white New-Year-new-you vibe makes no sense. The February issue will be coming out by then.
I think UK Elle is now supposed to have 10 issues a year, but perhaps the goalposts will change again, and that'll be a combined Feb/Mar issue. Imagine putting out your March issue at the start of January.