christmas traditions Archives - Appalachian History

December 17, 2020 Christmas traditions / West Virginia

Extended Family

Mom passes me an ornament with a family of black bears on it. I spin it around to find the words Gatlinburg, TN painted along its base. “From our vacation?”

December 3, 2020 Christmas traditions / Georgia

Christmas dawn was just breaking over the blue-hazed mountains

Our socks were filled with stick candy, rag dolls, sling shots, crow calls, whistles, apples, oranges and a few funny looking nuts.

Adaland Mansion decked out for Christmas

December 1, 2020 Christmas traditions / West Virginia

The Beautiful Holiday Trees of Adaland Mansion

Each year the staff of Adaland makes changes to what they do for Christmas decorations. But the warmth and love is always a huge part of the display.

breakin up christmas house party color pencil

December 26, 2018 Appalachian music / Bluegrass / Christmas traditions / Virginia

Breakin’ up Christmas, for weeks!

The “Breakin’ Up Christmas” tradition is credited with originating in Northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia during the 1920s.

Cherry Tree Carol broadside with color illustration, 1909

December 24, 2018 Appalachian music / Christmas traditions / Hymns

The Cherry Tree Carol (abridged)

We might be better served to think of this 15th century English hymn as the “Cherry Tree Carols,” since it exists in many versions.

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