For many of us, the holidays are never more magical than here in the mountains of Southern Appalachia. Earlier this month we asked about your favorite holiday traditions, and y’all didn’t disappoint. Read on to hear about the unique regional ways you remember celebrating the season.
“Many of the women in my family made Apple Stack Cake for Christmas. Mom also stuffed oranges with cloves. They were a social ‘status’ statement because oranges were hard to come by in mountain communities.” — David R.
“We got treat pokes at church: a brown paper bag with an apple, orange, tangerine, peppermint stick, chocolate drops, and nuts. We also went caroling to all the elderly folks from our church and took them fruit baskets.” — Kim D.
“We also had an orange in the bottom of our stocking. And a dime, which would take you anywhere in Asheville on the city bus.” — Kathleen M.
“We always had the standard Christmas on Dec. 25th, then on Jan. 5 we would go to the woods and get another small tree and decorate it with popcorn strings, handmade ornaments, pine cones, and the like. On Jan. 6 (Old Christmas) we would get gifts like homemade fudge, books, and such.” — Robin S.
“My dad made a gumdrop tree. He would cut a thorn bush, paint it silver, and put candy gumdrops on the thorns. It was very colorful.” — Cliff P.
“One of my favorite traditions as a child was going out as a family and choosing our Christmas tree. We lived out in the country, so it would take hours of searching to find the perfect one.” — Denise Y.
“I went to Vance Elementary in West Asheville. We made Yule Logs there.” — Brenda A.
“Don’t forget about going out to shoot down the mistletoe! Christmas would not have been Christmas without it and some good white peach, apple, or pear brandy!” — Thom K.
