Christmas Traditions in Appalachia

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

🎄Pick up Paul and Pap's Songs of Christmas cd here: etsy.me/3ouwg0O

[@Barbarra63297]

Never apologize for letting a wonderful memory roll down your cheek. What a sweet story.

[@stephaniegamble3571]

I love that. I recently lost my Mom.. My Dad many years ago and I find precious memories "roll down my cheeks" a lot. Thank you for that saying. How precious!

[@ednaearp9051]

I have such sweet memories of Christmas as a child and sometimes those memories roll down my cheeks!`-I sure miss those days but I tried to give my children precious memories 💖

[@treath55able]

We were so poor the o ly thing I ever remember getting for Christmas was a old sock filled with tangerines or oranges hard candy and walnuts . But we always had a Turkey and homemade sage dressing mashed potaoes and mincemeat and pumkin pie ...but that was good enough for us ...you dont miss what you never had . Still great memories and still love tangerines snd walnuts...just the smell of dressing and tangerines bring back great memories

[@lauramilton9785]

Sweet memories for me as well Kenny.That stocking with orange,tangerines and nuts was a treasure.🥰

[@ericamckenzie3547]

Bless you! ❤️🙏🏼😌 I love this.

[@brandywine4000]

Boy if you didn’t get it right, Kenny!

[@carlabridgesmason3529]

I love making dressing!

[@leebailey3990]

It good to see country people come out of the dark and be proud of their history thanks for step up for us all

[@yvonnemcmahan9037]

I agree. I love being from the mountains of NC.

[@jodeneantonson985]

I liked your story about Lenore and the pinecone. I noticed you getting chocked up at the end of the story. You don't need to apologize for that. This shows me how real you are and I like that.

[@donnabrigham6643]

My Christmas Tree never comes down until the Epiphany. When I was little, I asked my mom why the tree came down specifically on Jan 7. She said that was the day the wisemen found Christ. I have kept this going into my adult years. Catholics celebrate Old Christmas as the Epiphany. Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Russian, Antiochian) Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th. I love the term Old Christmas. I always loved dipping pine cones in Elmers glue and then rolling them in glitter when I was young. I make Sugar cookies every Christmas. Half are covered in sugar and half are frosted. The frosted are for me and the grandkids the sugar sprinkles are for hubby. Spritz cookies are common here in New England also as well as Anisette cookies. Gathering greens is common here as well. A lot of people put them in window boxes and put lights in them. Candles in the window is a very common New England tradition.

[@misscindy3414]

Tipper, I remember as a child that oranges were always a big deal. We didn't have oranges often but we always had them at Christmas. Wonderful post, I love hearing you talk about the beautiful traditions of Christmas!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you!!

[@wyominghome4857]

I remember that too growing up in Arizona. Our Christmas stocking always had an orange in the toe, because back then you couldn't get citrus year 'round. Good memories

[@michaeltres]

Miss Cindy : When I was a child, oranges were available year round, but we still got a tangerine in the toe of our Christmas stocking every year. My step-mother, who grew up in poverty in the backwoods of Appalachia near the Virginia-Kentucky line, told us how special it was for her and her sisters to get an orange at Christmas-just one for them to share. My little tangerine and her stories are fond memories for me.

[@bobi.3307]

Cindy, same here in the Ozarks, the church or school always gave us a little bag of goodies which always included lots of hard candy and one orange. By the time we ate the orange it was all sticky from the melting of the hard candy but that just made it all the better when we finally reached that sweet nectar inside the sticky peel. Good memories.

[@veronicamitchell9378]

My mother grew up in Alabama and shared that she and her siblings would get an orange, peppermint, and pecans in their stockings. My father shot a rifle on New Years.

[@YSLRD]

My family wasn't broken but definitely a little bent. 😊 Christmas is and has been always special for me. It depends on your outlook. As long as Jesus is the center, the details will work out.

[@mainemagic2351]

Hello, I am from Vermont and every Christmas Eve, after church at midnight, we would go to Nana's house. She spent two days making the cookies and pies. Her favorite dishs were Baked Oysters, with heavy cream,1/2 & 1/2, 3-4 boxes of Ritz Crackers and 3lbs. of butter..There were at least 30 family showing up for a bite before heading home...always goodie bags for the kids to enjoy on Christmas morning...Cheers from Maine.

[@lindacosta5688]

The people in this part of the USA are the salt of the earth. Good honest people who knew the meaning of surviving and thriving

[@joannadickerson8572]

My favorite memory was one Christmas the young people at our old country church went caroling in an old sled pulled by 2 work horses. There was thick ice and snow on the country road, so we had little traffic. Bitter cold, we covered ourselves in blankets on top of straw. The horses had bells on, and I remember the sounds and sights to this day. A full moon, a light snow falling, seeing the breath of the horses in the air, and a beautiful starry night. Oh, to go back in time. Beech Fork, W. Va. Now made into a State Park. Those places under water now behind a dam. Our beautiful log home long gone.

[@TexasGal-HillCountry]

Sometimes our heart overflows out of our eyes....it's called pure love. We always had seafood gumbo for Christmas eve. The whole community had luminaries lined up on the road thru out the whole neighborhood. then we would all walk down to this old bridge and sing Christmas Carols. Some would play whatever instrument they could carry, and copies of songs in a little book would be passed out and someone would call out a song and the voices would commence. It would last about an hour or a little more, then we would go home and have gumbo. This tradition started in the 60's and continues to this day. Thank you for bringing up this memory. We were truly blessed to have a close family...

[@joganstar]

I grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains in southwestern Virginia but I married a Russian woman and they observe "Old Christmas" which is Christmas according to the Julian calendar. I like to combine them because it's appropriate to worship Jesus any time and I also can honor both traditions.

[@melrose795]

What part of Virginia? My Nana was raised in East Stone Gap and I still have cousins in Wise..

[@joganstar]

I was raised 35 miles SW of Roanoke off of Hwy 221 on top of Bent Mountain. We used to go to Floyd to get feed for the animals and such. In middle school we were bussed down to the edge of Roanoke to Cave Spring Middle and High schools.

[@brandywine4000]

@@joganstar how lovely! I’m from down east North Carolina coastline. Our family always celebrated Old Christmas as well as our typical calendar Christmas. Decorations were never removed until after Old Christmas. There was a large meal and either a church service or the family having their own worship and praise celebration. We generally read the story of Jesus’ birth from one book in December and another in January. There was generally a sweet cake to serve with coffee or cocoa to adore the birth of Christ.

[@barbarakelly1916]

In some parts of Canada, Christmas according to the Julian Calendar is called "Little Christmas". It is a time when women (who have done the work for the earlier Christmas) have the day off from work and are waited on by others.

[@melanienicholson2834]

I enjoy your ability as a story teller top notch. Engaging and heartfelt. We need more of those. thank you and god bless.

[@henriettadenzig5023]

Im a cherokee indian we have alot of traditions.hope you have a blessed Christmas.

[@brittanymccloud1403]

My husband's great grandma is 100% Cherokee. She was an amazing woman! My husband has her darker, red skin tone. We greatly appreciate all of our family's roots! We're all from Indiana, however, we have so many of the same sayings, dialect and traditions that are in Appalachia.💜

[@Tawanalynn]

My brother told me about your videos. He has OCD and he has had a rough time with it all his life. He’s 60 now and he just wants to talk about growing up in the Wilkes County mountains! All the things you talk about reminds him of growing up doing a lot of the same things! The men in our family always shot dynamite on Christmas Eve. A lot of family and neighbors would gather at our house and play games like, scissors crossed and uncrossed and Upset the Fruit basket. We had always heard the cows bowed and prayed and talked on Christmas Eve! Thank you for helping us remember all this good stuff. We love it!! ❤️❤️

[@ohmeowzer1]

Sweet lenore. An earth angel she made the world a better place...now making heaven brighter

[@suemorgan7849]

What you call serenading, we in England call Wassailing. Men went house to house banging pans ringing bells and generally making a racket. They would be given cider in return for their visit. They would then make their way to the orchard to bless the trees to ensure a good harvest next year. It’s a very jolly happy time, that dates from pagan times 😊

[@LFalby]

I have read that the people of Appalachia are descended from the Scots-Irish, so you can draw a direct line back hundreds of years to many of their traditions, folklore, music and food. The traditions change and evolve and are adapted to the new environment but they are essentially the same. Bringing greens into the house at Christmas goes back centuries. Wassailing goes back centuries. I believe that oranges at Christmas also goes back centuries. It would be really interesting to research how far back a lot of these traditions go and where they originated and also how they were adapted. Thanks for your videos. I have really enjoyed them.

[@sandraolson1022]

Here we come a Wasailing among The leaves so green! One of my favorites! :)

[@michaeltres]

I grew up in southwest Virginia, and oysters on Christmas Eve were common in many, many homes. My grandmother and her generation remembered when, decades ago, the oysters came to our area packed in barrels and shipped in train cars. Our family served them scalloped or fried, not as a stew, and a lot of people included them in the dressing for the turkey. I went to university in central Virginia, and the people around there had the same tradition.

[@SJ-ni6iy]

My husband’s family does fried oysters on Christmas Eve. We are both from southern West Virginia, but my family had never heard of doing this. I thought it was crazy and never realized it was common.

[@mandyhall8464]

I listen while at work. When I heard the story of my bigmama (lenora) I just had a little happy cry. Thank you so much for this. Special indeed ❤

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Mandy!! Hope you are well! She was a special lady 😀

[@mishalea]

My grandma made a fruit salad for Christmas. My parents and my hub and I read the story of Jesus in the Bible on Christmas morning before opening gifts, and we go to Candlelight service Christmas eve. It's my favorite time of year also. 💖🎄

[@donnabrigham6643]

My mom was from Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and oyster stew was something she ate every Christmas Day. Dad, my sister and I passed on the stew. It is still a fond memory of mom and Christmas.

[@trixier6505]

A good book that was written by Georgia doctor Ferrol Sams is "Christmas Gift!". He wrote it as a remembrance of how Christmas was celebrated in the old South for his children. Anything he wrote is good.

[@janh519]

I’ve heard of “The Twelve Days of Christmas, but never heard of “Old Christmas”. My dad used to cut cedar for Christmas trees or decorations. It smelled wonderful. We usually had turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[@ShawnPlusOne]

I’m so hooked on your videos I watch on my iPhone my iPad and both TVs I’m loving learning about Appalachian culture. I’ve also watched many documentaries on Appalachia and I’m just a learning more and more daily. ❤️🙏🏾

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I'm so glad you're enjoying them-you made my day 😀

[@accenttunebyellie]

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on the 7th of January, according to the Julian calendar that the church follows. Christmas eve is on the 6th, Christmas day - 7th. The two calenders are 2 weeks apart, the Gregorian being the one we follow on a daily basis, the later is used in church and to mark religious events. Some countries that follow this Orthodox Christmas tradition are Greece, Russia, Serbia etc.

[@genecanfield3681]

Just found your channel. My Mom hailed from KY and I'm considering the Appalachian region for retirement. The channel is highly informative and you're a great host. Just a point of information; it's an Italian tradition to serve a big seafood dinner on Christmas Eve. I doubt there is a nexus between that and your oyster stew on Christmas Eve. At any rate great stuff, and be blessed in your endeavors.

[@janesmith1398]

Traditionally my family has Scottish shortbread, sugar cookies, date square, mincemeat tarts, matrimonial bars, snowballs, butter tarts, fruit cake, and Christmas pudding. Love hearing about your traditions too! ❤

[@stephaniegamble3571]

@ Jane Smith .. I would love to have some of those recipes. They sound so good but traditional. I have become so sentimental and nostalgic and search for things that I can build special memories and traditions with my Children. When my Momma died, many of the things we had as Children I don't know how to make. What beautiful traditions.

[@pamelastokes2964]

Never apologize for your sweet feelings for people that brought you joy.🤗

[@jackrowe5571]

I remember going out to cut a red cedar tree for granny to put in the front room to decorate for Christmas.

[@maryr7800]

My siblings and I would go out with our Dad to get an Eastern Red Cedar for a Christmas tree. I remember the last time I went with him to get the tree, and it was just the two of us. My Dad has been gone since 1988, and I sure miss him, but at least I have good memories.

[@danhamilton2193]

The stories of Appalachian life remind me of my childhood, except my childhood was in the southwest desert of this great nation. There are plenty of mountains, valleys and a lot of scary times exploring my area. My family did not have any automotive transportation, did ride the school bus though. We had a bicycle and tided the wagon to it for the trip to the little store for essentials. Put the old milk can in the wagon and went down to the well to get water. Mom did the baking thing also. I have fond memories of the pralines and sweet cakes, Christmas cookies and such. I had a wonderful childhood and I am happy for that time some sixty five years ago. i am happy still. I thoroughly enjoy your posts, thank you. Bless you and yours. Another point, Old Christmas, January 6th, was called Little Christmas in my time. And from what I have learned from you today is the reason my Mother always waited until January 7th to put the tree out. Thanks again.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Dan 😀

[@Francine1117]

I’m finding that your videos are so enjoyable. I love learning about other families and their heritage. I am Italian so for Christmas I make a big pot of my homemade sauce with meatballs and sausage and make a lasagna. It’s not Christmas until the lasagna is baked. I serve it with salad, crusty Italian bread.(the good kind- crusty on the outside and soft in the center) Of course there are sweets galore! Fudge, Italian cookies etc. thanks for sharing

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for watching and for sharing your Christmas food traditions 😀 Sounds so yummy!

[@kathya739]

Oh how wonderful!!!! Would love to have your recipes for the gravy, meatballs and lasagna!!! If you ever want to share....illberich7@gmail.

[@sandraolson1022]

YUMMY!! :)

[@miask]

You sure don’t need to apologize for tearing up when talking about how sweet Lenore was. She seems like a person who touched all. May she rest in peace. Growing up, we used to collect what we call running cedar, Holly, Magnolia and all kinds of pine boughs and cones. My daddy worked as a florist after the war. He made all kinds of beautiful wreaths and decorations. We used them in our home and carried them to friends and neighbors to enjoy. We did lots of baking. Mom had her cookies and daddy made treats from his German upbringing. One thing my brother and I loved was grinding nuts. We had (I still have it) a little mill that screwed onto the table. You put nuts in the top and turned the little handle and the ground up nuts came out. Of course part of the fun was cracking the nuts. Christmas is such a special time. Those memories make it all the sweeter. Merry Christmas!

[@rebeccadees2300]

Love the story about the muffins and singing Happy birthday to baby Jesus.

[@G.J.662]

I agree .

[@melissagayheart7716]

I loved the pinecone story; that made me cry! It's a beautiful story! ❤

[@frankiebutler2894]

The longleaf pine tree drops the big cones. A girl I know used to sell them to people “up north”. I remember hearing that she made lots of money. She paid others to pick up the pine cones for her, & paid them 5 cents per cone to bring to her. This was in ‘70’s !!!

[@rickmiles3242]

Fascinating!! I'm a 40 year old man and I feel like I could sit in the floor and listen to you talk all day and night just like a kid. Thank you so much!! Keep warm and may God bless you and your family!!!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@sandip.7968]

It's mid-June as I watch this and listen to some of your delightful Christmas traditions, Tipper, but still thoroughly enjoyed the post! When I was growing up, my siblings and I always found a shiny new dime in the toe of our Christmas stockings. We couldn't wait to empty out all the fruit, nuts and hard candy to find that dime! When my three children were young and still living at home, we baked a cake on Dec. 24th and called it "Jesus' birthday cake", decorated with tinted frosting and candles, as a reminder of the Reason for the Season, like you do the breakfast muffins.

[@stevejanka361]

Good afternoon, the creativity and cleverness of the Appalachian people never ceases to amaze me. Along with your hospitality and friendly personaity, it makes for great family traditions and holiday memories. Thanks for a great video. You take care and stay healthy.

[@pamelaandrade6930]

So many wonderful and interesting cultural stories. Most of these have a ring of truth in them. I come from Australia, now live in California, in Australia, we cut down our own trees to decorate, we decorate our homes with greenery and holly and mistletoe and the children all go around the neighborhood on New Years Eve, banging saucepans with wooden spoons, to scare away the bad spirits of the previous year. Had never heard about old Christmas before but going to look it up and also listen to your video on the animals kneeling at midnight on Christmas Eve. Just love your videos, have a wonderful day.

[@sherrywilliams409]

I read the story and it was so touching. It brought tears to my eyes bc it made me think of my great grandparents and how much I miss them. We didn’t spend Christmas there but we did go on Easter Sunday. And what fun we had with all my cousins. Every September we still get together for a family reunion. And I’m so thankful we do to keep those memories alive. My Mother would be so happy about that. She sure loved this family and they loved her. She’s in heaven now with grandma and grandpa. I can’t wait until I join them and our family is back together again! Thanks Tipper!❤️😊💐

[@helensimonsen7707]

So many of the traditions you have spoken about I believe to be old English.I came from Tasmania Australia and I am 73 now. I grandparents held a lot of these traditions and they were from English heritage. So lovely to remember traditions from our childhood.

[@gradymizell494]

I love 💕 hearing about the Appalachian life, as some of the beautiful traditions I have heard growing up. I'm so happy to have found this channel

[@chrissiewalker8980]

Happy belated New Year from London England! Loving all this. Charming and warming! So pleased to have found you!

[@marythornsberry6486]

I have been watching some of your videos today and yesterday and you now have a new subscriber as I love hearing about Appalachia ....I was born in West Virginia,,,,a small coal mining town in Berwind,,,,,McDowel county!! My Daddy was killed in one of the mines there so my Mom moved back to Ohio where her parents lived ...She still had to raise 6 of us children by herself ..We had 2 brothers that were already married at the time....My Mom was a very very strong woman to have done that all by herself and oh how I miss her!!!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Mary-your mother sounds wonderful! I bet you do miss her. So glad you're enjoying our videos 🙂

[@califtom]

its not just the heartwarming experiences and family traditions you describe, its the way you tell the story that makes it so nice.

[@kathyflorcruz552]

I've always loved moss too & boxwoods are my favorite scent out there. Love love love it!!

[@cchaffincc]

Okay, now I’m getting teary eyed because you got teary and emotional. Don’t apologize for feeling.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀 I get teary eyed over something about every day

[@theresaruble66]

My Dad is passed away now , but told stories about the animals kneeling on Old Christmas at midnight. He and my Mom also told how for Christmas they would get a bag with candy and an orange. They were both from Eastern Kentucky.

[@aidenalamo6262]

It seems that Christmas decorations that involve an all natural origin I think started by inspiration with Appalachia first. Every time I have seen all natural (even synthetic versions) have a true Appalachia appreciation. I'm not from Appalachia, but I am from an area that has deep respect for faith and hope despite how difficult the world can be. We are all Appalachia even if by a few paychecks if you think about it. True love for nature and family comes from exposure to it. I wish your community a great big of thanks in giving what a true sense of USA by pride with family and trust in telling the whole truth about nature being equal to Christ's message. Happy Thank You. Kindest Regards, Aiden Alamo.

[@athia37]

From my old slavic roots , we began saving egg shells fromoctober on , to decorate and paint with intricate designs, and hand on the tree.We had to puncture the top and bottom of every raw egg we used, and blow out the contents, and put the shells to dry for decorating..that was a fun Christmas tradition.

[@kathygarber9407]

Best time of the year when I was a kid in the Ky part of Appalachia,,fudge, divinity , cookies , cakes and the love of the Lord ! And usually about a foot of snow !

[@robertrich2492]

I really enjoyed this, my wife is from N.E. Alabama. It is beautiful country with sweet people. God bless.

[@wandabellamy9171]

I live in NE Alabama Pisgah🤗🙋

[@robertrich2492]

My wife is from Sardis/Boaz area. We pastored in the Ft. Payne area at one time. Loved it. Roll Tide.

[@Daileydoseofhomestead]

Old Christmas as you called is still celebrated by millions of people in the world. That's when people some of who I know in other countries celebrate, and where we get the 12 days of Christmas. It's always been celebrated on the 6th for them.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you for sharing that! I would like to celebrate it, but never get it done 😀

[@Daileydoseofhomestead]

@@CelebratingAppalachia I just found your channel and have watched 15 videos this morning! Love them!

[@malindawilczynski2774]

My father's people ate Racoon for Christmas, recall going to Mamaw's for Racoon that Daddy had hunted. When we lived in Greasy Daddy would cut the top on one of the big trees nothing like what you buy on a lot. My mother's people were apparently too poor or were hiding their culture to have Christmas. So mama didn't much care about decorating. Do also recall getting the brown "poke" bag at church.

[@kellywood67]

I live in Alabama and am a floral designer. Everything I use or sell is gathered from the forrest and wild spots beyond my home. I recently moved North to Straight Mountain. My work is always in demand but its basis is a gift from God and so carefully cared for. I’’m at the bottom end of the Mountains. It is a wonderful place. So much more Appalachian culturally than he city where I’m from ( Birmingham ) I am in love with the people and the culture and discovered your wonderful channel not long after my move!

[@Mindy14]

Wow, my grandpa always made up oyster stew for New Years, and also oyster dressing with our Turkey.

[@carolefearnley1990]

Here in UK we always had a stocking with a orange a shiny red apple and a handful of nuts in shells,I'm 66 years old now so as a child these items were more scarce but I kept up the tradition and so do my children and grandchildren

[@angelharte764]

My Mother use to celebrate Little Christmas 🎄 on January 6th. She said this was the day the Three Wise Men made it to the stable to see Jesus and offer there gifts 🎁. She would not take the tree down till after Little Christmas on January 6th.

[@privateuser3859]

Mine too. She was from Ireland and said January 6th (Epiphany) was the 12th day of Christmas and all the decorations weren't taken down until January 7th. I do the same thing now, tradition I think!

[@jackrowe5571]

12th night Jan 6 is celebrated like this in much of Europe ( a couple of weeks later in the orthodox churches) and for these same reasons

[@maryr7800]

My Mom called January 6th "Old Christmas". Her immediate family didn't celebrate it, but one of her Mom's brothers and his wife did. They would have the whole family over and prepare a huge dinner, and that was their actual Christmas.

[@jenniferstomberger3920]

Little Christmas! I couldn't remember the name. Little Christmas in the barn with the animals.

[@sbg1911]

Same!

[@cindypye578]

When my Mamaw was still living she and Papaw ordered a box each of oranges and apples in December. I remember her letting me help her put 1 apple, 1 orange, a few peppermint candies, and sometimes some nuts and tie ribbon around each bag. These “fruit bags” sat under their Christmas tree till the extended family got together on Christmas Eve As each grandchild left she gave them one. I do this at our home in remembrance. I f do not know how the could afford it as they has very little and depended on their garden and hunting for most of their food. Their sacrifice was much appreciated.

[@lissahenry6751]

My mama came from the Ozarks. I guess eventually my daddy’s family was there for a while before moving on. I got sent to my Grandmas an awful because I was the youngest and not in school yet. I was always going outside and going fishing etc when I had been told to stay in. I reckon I was a lot of trouble for mama while daddy was overseas. My mama made the BEST oyster stuffing. I would drive into town the day after Christmas just to have cold oyster stuffing for breakfast. I have some of the fondest memories ever of growing up-especially when I was in the mountains. Thank you for reminding me of how truly blessed I am.

[@jerrywatkins1257]

Growing up we would always decorate with cut greenery. Holly with the red berries and pine branches. We always took our guns and shot down mistletoe to hang over the door. We always went hunting for our Christmas tree. We would find one, cut it down and bring it home to decorate. Precious memories.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Such great memories-glad you have them!

[@hollish196]

I love the caroling memory. When I was in the church choir years ago, we went caroling. Wonderful memory! And the "old Christmas" and "new Christmas" section was marvelous! Thanks for yet another wonderful share.

[@angelpearce]

My mother grew up in Middlesbrough Ky and told me that she and her brothers would gather greenery for making Christmas wreaths and they would sell it door to door.

[@songbird1283]

I just love to watch your video's!! I love to hear about the way other people do things. You cry if you want too and don't apologize. It was a sweet story!!

[@sheliacarr8872]

Such a sweet story about the pinecones.🌲 My 2 youngest children decorated pinecones this Christmas 2021 for my brother & neighbor I’ve known since I was a kid, they spread the p.cone with peanut butter & rolled it in bird seed & wrapped the end with string to hang up. They wrapped Pringle’s chip cans with wrapping paper & put them inside.🎁

[@andrewlowe2962]

That was a great story about the pinecones and the sweet lady, brought a little tear to my eyes. Rest In Peace❤️your stories are endearing. I’m so happy to hear them🌻

[@andrewlowe2962]

This year has really pointed out that, I’m living a lie. City and me are not a good fit. Las Vegas isn’t a great place to live, and never will be. I want out of the desert 🐪

[@MDAdams72668]

please don't ever feel the need to be forgiven for caring for/about another human(it is after all what makes us human/created in the lord's image) Lenore's story was beautiful Thanks for sharing

[@mdaze9753]

I live in the Northeast and my grandmother made oyster stew for Christmas. Incidentally, my grandmother was second generation Irish. I think if you traced this custom back you would find the Irish, Scottish, Welch ate it simply because it was so plentiful. For my family I make Paula Deen's Oyster and Brie stew with Yorkshire pudding on Christmas Eve. It is delicious on a cold winter night.

[@storyman507]

Oyster Stew at Christmas. Us too in Georgia. But being in Boston now it is hard to remember that we used canned oysters.

[@stephaniegamble3571]

Christmas Eve, my little family's tradition is of course, the "snacky" stuff but for Supper we always eat Sausage biscuits and years later added Country ham biscuits. The first Christmas Eve we were married, it was ALL we could "afford", and as simple as it was, it was the sweetest and most MEANINGFUL little meal.. a little can of 5 biscuits and had to borrow the sausage. We have kept that tradition all these years. As more of the family married, we would switch Eve and Day meals with our families.. The times we had a meal Christmas Eve with family, we would eat light and hubby and myself would always fix our biscuits at home before bed. Now that my Parents are gone, and we are home every Christmas Eve, that is our meal, breakfast for Supper and our kids love it as much as we do. It truly is the little things that mean the most. Thank you for sharing the Mason Jar Snow globe idea, I will do with my kiddos this year. They are 2, 4 and my oldest will be 11. I love to do things like that. I still take my babies out and collect leaves in fall and press them between wax paper and they make their 'Leaf books' .. love the snow globe idea. Thank you. I always wondered why people would shoot on Christmas Eve.. Now I know. If we can pull it off, this year I want to take my children through our neighborhood, which is mostly Elderly Widows/ Widowers and go Caroling. Since my oldest was born, on Christmas Eve, we have made little snack boxes and he makes a little home made gift and we leave them on the porch of the elderly and knock on the door and they open to find a little gift. Just a little "Merry Christmas" and let them know they are loved and remembered. This year we are planning on adding Caroling with it, then home for hot Chocolate and snacks. I love learning about the things that make HEART memories that I can add into our traditions. Things Money Cannot buy. Those are the important things. Thank you for sharing. Be Blessed.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Love those memories and traditions 😀

[@d.l.n.7133]

One of my favorite Christmas stories that l loved to read to my students was “ The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” written by Barbara Cooney ( l think ) the illustrations are so pretty and the story was lovely. The way of life was another world to me as l grew up in a town 30 miles from NYC. Little did l know that my biological family came from the mountains of NC and WV. They were coal miners and one ( the black sheep) allegedly was a moonshiner. My life could not be more different, but yet l have always bern drawn to this lifestyle weather in literature or movies even before l knew my ancestors. I love watching your videos. Thank you.

[@d.l.n.7133]

I just reread this after viewing this video for the second time, and saw so many typos 😳. I’m sorry, but l was typing from the heart and did not check it.

[@thomasmccardle725]

I’m not sure where it came into our family traditions but we observe that oyster stew tradition too! Until this year, everyone is gone from my family to the point where I’m forgetting all the great memories until people like y’all bring those precious memories back to life! Thank you thank you Tipper!

[@paulasmith7803]

My side of the family used to do family used to do Christmas all together on Christmas Eve, but when Mama died, that was over. Now my husband, daughter, and I have our own traditions. My sisters are so different and just don't really get along. It's sad. Oh well, we do what we have to don't we?

[@phyllispetras3369]

My late son Brendan was born 12/25/66. He passed in his sleep from pneumonia in 2011. That was my best Christmas the day he was born.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

I'm so sorry you lost him!!

[@SJ-ni6iy]

Every year at Christmas our elementary school would pass out a brown paper bag filled with an apple, an orange, hard candy, Cracker Jacks, walnuts and a candy cane and then we would get another bag just like it again at church. Our church still gives out the brown bag at Christmas. My husband’s family does fried oysters on Christmas Eve (I thought it was weird) I wasn’t aware it was an Appalachian tradition. I’m from southern West Virginia.

[@walterlee1418]

Thank You Ma'am, You and Your Family bring me back home and to great and wonderful memories that I had growing up.

[@valeriedinger510]

My father grew up in a hard working woods & farm family in N. Michigan. He always said the cows knelt & lowed in prayer at midnight Christmas Eve.

[@markhickey3254]

My favorite Christmas movie is The Homecoming, the pilot for The Walton's. It has a lot of our Appalachian traditions you have just spoken of in it. I was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee and wouldn't live anywhere else. Thank you for these memories.

[@SJ-ni6iy]

I thought of the Walton’s Christmas movie when she mentioned the animals kneeling and talking. I’m from southern West Virginia and I had never heard of this besides the movie.

[@susan9522]

Yep, oyster stew is a handed down tradition on my mother’s side. South eastern Ohio. Since 1790s.

[@sallyhover8173]

I really enjoyed listening to you! You just came up in my feed for some reason and I’m glad you did. I’ve always been fascinated with Appalachia and the people. I love the music! God bless you!🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@kimlong6932]

Grew up in northeast Louisiana and Mama always fixed an orange slice cake, sugar cookies, and gingerbread men. Great memories and recipes I have treasured and passed on to my pwn children Enjoy your videos!

[@CathyHendrix1]

I live in a small city by the name of Galax. Named from the leaves you spoke of in this video. We are located just across the N.C. line in Virginia. I have visited the John C. Campbell Folk School a couple of times while visiting with some friends that live in Blairsville Ga. Look up Galax, Va. sometime. We are home to the world's oldest Fiddlers Convention held the second week of August each year. I think your family would really enjoy it. Folks come from all over the world to play, camp and visit during that week. May God bless you and your family.

[@MJS2376]

Has anyone else noticed the contrast between the good, truthful, beauty of Celebrating Appalachia and the commercials that show up on KZbin? If Celebrating Appalachia had an online Christmas store selling things made in their community - how many of us would be willing to spend out (inflated) dollars there rather than with these multinational garbage global corporations? I know I would. Thank you for these wonderful videos! :-)

[@bettyblue2089]

I luv a simple life , family is amazing to me .

[@jeanniewarren4643]

I remember using my Dad's tube socks as Christmas stockings and getting oranges and nuts in shells in the stocking.

[@pamelasims5029]

I just wanted to drop bye and let you know I enjoy your channel so much.. You make me feel.just like I'm reliving all my childhood with great memories of days gone bye .I do appreciate you and your family .. From a devoted person to your channel ..Pam from Pine Knot KY..

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Pam-thank you so much 😀

[@pamelasims5029]

@@CelebratingAppalachia your very welcome ...

[@chloemartel9927]

In our family, we have fried oysters and champagne for breakfast Christmas morning. Then more fried oysters for Christmas dinner.

[@tammiescreations4340]

So many of the traditions that you speak about were observed by my family and a few are still carried on by me. I used to gather greenery to decorate with and we always went and chopped down our Christmas tree in the woods surrounding our home. I'm only 62 but have become disabled from a bone disease and unable to do all that now. I so enjoy watching your videos as they take me back to my youth. I always wondered where a lot of my families traditions and ways of living came from and now that I've watched several of your videos I know. The Boyd family originated in Scotland, left there and went to Ireland. In 1862 they traveled on ship Nancy to America. They settled near Boonsborough Ky. Stayed there until their umpteen dozen children were grown. The children all went their separate ways. My grandparents traveled south and eventually came to Mississippi near where I live now. I'm sure they brought the sayings, words and ways with them. I love your channel and so glad I can watch them! Thank you!

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Tammie-so good to hear from you! What a rich history your family has-I'm so glad my videos bring back good memories of them for you. Thank you for your kind words and for watching-I hope you drop back by often!

[@virginiatruchan6247]

Love your stories. I'm from Michigan and a lot of your customs are similar to some we practice. In one of your vlogs I thought it was so sweet when your busband called you Miss Tipper

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀

[@Bobm-kz5gp]

I’m sure glad I found your videos, I love your stories about Appalachia, my Dad an his family grew up in Wise County, Va an Dad was born in a mining town, Pardee, Va before moving to Central Virginia, a community called Hadensville where I was born in 1949. I heard a lot of those same stories from Grandad an Grandma, I loved listening to them at family gatherings Thanksgiving an Christmas, one of my earliest memories was sitting by Grandmother while she played hymns on our old upright piano. We had the best meals those days and your breakfasts remind me of Moms an Grandmother’s, we all lived together in an old farm house. God bless you all, Bob

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Thank you Bob! I'm glad you found us too 😀 Sounds like we have much in common!

[@osmadchlo]

We always got an orange, apple, a couple little boxes of raisins and English walnuts in our stocking at Christmas. I am also familiar with the ground cedar, or what we call running cedar. It grew on our old family farm in the piedmont. My country cousins would go out there and gather enough to decorate their mailbox posts and mantels - so beautiful! We don't really do that anymore because it got kind of scarce and we didn't want to destroy it.

[@DBest-pk2tr]

I love to make Christmas ornaments and give them to the older ladies at church on Christmas Eve.

[@cheryldimanno1314]

I love watching and listening. Faith is so important. ❤

[@ТатьянаРоманова-г9л]

The legend of a cow that lies down in another place after Christmas almost coincides with the ancient Russian legend that on Christmas a bear in a beodogue turns on its other side. It was a symbol of the middle of winter, after which winter ended, although the coldest season was still ahead. I noticed a few more coincidences with northern legends, incredibly interesting! Thank you!

[@katherinehayes9110]

I live in Middle Ga.my husband worked in north Ga for over 2yrs and he fell in love with the mountains and it's people.a very kind,conservative and hardy people.we both enjoy these videos of Appalachia and the history of its generations and what has been passed down.we enjoy the music of your beautiful family.thank you for sharing your rich heritage with us.

[@jameshammons2354]

The memories of oranges delivered by railroad workers @ the Xmas service is etched in my mind. “Hunting mistletoe “ with a 22 to demonstrate your skills

[@gregcarter3843]

My great grandparents and grandparents did the oyster stew in rural northern Illinois. I always thought they were the only ones who did it too!

[@andreaszule1558]

When I was little it was our tradition to wrap candy in tissue paper fringed atr the ends and foil in the middle. Translated it was called straw sugar/ candy. Would tie thread on it and hang on Christmas tree. We had to polish our Sunday shoes and put them outsidethe front door. Next morning we found an Orange which was a treat, candy cane and fruit candies..sometimes chocolate. Tree was put up and decorated xmas eve singing traditional Hungarian Christmas songs. Xmas eve dinner was homemade chicken soup and home made noodles, fish, stuffed cabbage rolls. We had no relatives but my mom kept the old traditions. Poppy seed sweet bread and walnut bread. Decorated honey cookies. Love your traditions..so interesting. You are so very sweet. I cry to thinking about my parents. I cry easily.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

Andrea-your traditions sound wonderful!! I cry easily too!

[@gidget8717]

I grew up in the part of Appalachia that the Santa train ran through. I will never forget the feeling of being with a crowd of people waiting for the Santa train. We also got little brown pokes with treats after the Christmas play at church. We got usually an orange and a tangerine, a handful of mixed nuts in the shells and a peppermint stick. My dad's family ate oyster stew but my mother didn't care for it, so she changed it. She put the oysters in the dressing for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Edit: oh and one more thing, I remember mother and daddy first fretting over getting the oysters every year and then them fretting over how expensive the oysters were after the holidays were over. Every year.

[@CelebratingAppalachia]

😀