Christmas in Appalachia Archives - Page 2 of 8

Put the children’s packages in their stockings

Well, the chittlings, a part of them Alice sent over by Pete. They were intestines cleaned ready to cut into short pieces to fry. I told Tillie she needn’t fry any for me.

Nativity scene of entrance to cave, inside is holy family, cow, and donkey peering into cradle in Christ child.

December 18, 2018 Christmas traditions / Folklore

Ms. Horse, Ms. Mule and Ms. Cow — a Christmas fable

Christ’s birth includes animals. That’s why horses always eat, mules don’t ever get to be parents, & cows get to chew their cud after dinner.

Lenci Boy and girl dolls sitting together at the Judges' Lodgings, Lancaster

December 17, 2018 Childrens games / Christmas traditions / North Carolina

They did have little dolls for the girls

Mother’d have something special, cook up something special for Christmas, like cakes. We always had cake. For Christmas you didn’t get much.

3 belsnickel masks 1920s harrisonburg va

December 10, 2018 Christmas traditions

Time for Kris Kringling

Three masks used in the belsnickeling Christmas custom, from Rockingham County, VA, 1920s. Cotton feed sack (l), knit stocking or sweater sleeve, and a sugar sack (r).