Southern Lady November/December 2021

There’s nothing like family traditions to make you feel warm and cozy at Christmastime. At our home, we delight in classic holiday movies (White Christmas is a favorite!), cookie recipes that I remember from when I was a little girl, homemade ornaments handed down through several generations, and so much more. Some of our most treasured customs were established years ago while others are more recent, but all of them are meaningful and help to bring us closer, whether everyone can be together in person or not. The theme of honoring cherished traditions runs strong throughout this issue. West Virginia’s legendary resort, The Greenbrier (page 17), puts on a full slate of holiday events that pay tribute to both its history and its eye-popping décor. On page 21, we introduce you…

MERRIEST MEMENTOS My husband and I got married 20 years ago this November, and one of my favorite wedding gifts was a bride’s box of Christmas ornaments, something I had never heard of before. Each of the dozen colorful trinkets represents a wish for a happy life and home, such as a teapot to signify hospitality and a heart that symbolizes true love. Those ornaments, still swaddled in their original tissue paper, are some of the first ones we hang on our tree every year. A couple of them have a chip here or a scratch there, but they’re even more special to us after two decades of marking milestones and creating memories together. Turn to page 97 for more about the bride’s tree custom and its Old-World German origins—perhaps this…

Get a glimpse of the beautiful images our social media friends have shared with us, capturing their own inspiration from the pages of Southern Lady. Top row: Sugar-coated cranberries clustered at the base of holly leaves add a festive flair to @livingbeautahfully’s layered cake. Traditional tartan mingles with Champagne flutes at@positivelypollyanna’s elegant affair. Gift wrap with a vintage vibe inspires a pretty pastel palette for @juliasalk’s holiday décor. Middle row: Blush blooms and glittery baubles infuse the wintry white of @vintagechicdecor’s space with feminine flourish. Embellished with dried fruit and a plaid ribbon, @thevintagejoy’s wreath offers a gracious greeting to guests and passersby. Bottom row: Splendid red bows tied around chairs impart a jovial tone to @erinelizabethporter’s setting. We’re dreaming of a blue-and-white Christmas, and @andreinacottagestyle’s tablescape is just what…

When you ponder where to spend Christmas, your first thought probably isn’t a 243-year-old resort with a not-so-secret Cold War bunker snuggled in the Allegheny Mountains, even if it has hosted 28 presidents and hundreds of dignitaries, sports greats, and celebrities. But think again and consider that The Greenbrier—one of America’s grandest historic properties decked out in its finest regalia—might be exactly what you’re looking for. “Christmas is huge here,” says Cam Huffman, director of public relations for the 710-room haven, which first lured customers to White Sulphur Springs in 1778 to partake in natural spring waters considered healing at the time. He rattles off dozens of activities offered Thanksgiving through Christmas, from weekend tree lighting ceremonies led by Santa to cookie and gingerbread decorating classes. Santa reads stories to children…

It wasn’t until her husband proposed in December 2011 that Kate Stewart realized the holiday pastime she cherished most was exclusive to her family. Throughout her childhood, Kate’s father had tucked a teeny token for her mother into a miniature needlepoint stocking that hung from their Christmas tree, deeming it her bauble stocking. When Kate’s new fiancé and all their friends were baffled by the concept, and they couldn’t find a trace of the tradition anywhere else, she founded Bauble Stockings to share the heartfelt custom. “After all of your presents have been opened, you go to the tree, you get your Bauble Stocking down, and the final gift of Christmas or a clue to it is in the stocking,” Kate explains. “It’s saving the best for last; it’s the grand…

“WINTER IS NOT A SEASON, IT’S A CELEBRATION.”—ANAMIKA MISHRA, WRITER…