Dolly Parton’s Family Christmas Tradition Involves Her Going Down A Chimney
There isn’t anything Dolly Parton wouldn’t do to make Christmas magic for her gaggle of grand- nieces and nephews.
In the cover story of the latest issue of Good Housekeeping UK, Parton shared the details of her “over the top” holiday traditions, including the one that has her dressing like Santa Claus and coming down a “chimney” with a sack full of presents.
“I have all the nieces and nephews and all the grand-nieces and nephews, and all the little kids of the people who work for me, so I’ve kind of adopted a bunch of people,” the legend explained. “And I’ll do whatever I can to put a smile on their faces.”
“Every year, I play Granny Claus—I get in my Santa Claus suit and I come down the chimney with my sack full of presents,” Parton continued. “Even though a lot of the children are grown-up now, they still expect me to do it. One day, I’ll be hobbling in that elevator!”
The 78 year old has discussed the annual transformation of her home’s elevator into Santa’s preferred mode of transportation before. In 2022 she explained that the elevator is painted to look like a chimney on the bottom floor.
But playing Granny Claus isn’t the only holiday tradition to which Parton has fully committed. Starting in November, she also puts Christmas trees in every room of her Tennessee home.
“These days, my Christmas starts in November. I have my house and my yard decorated, I put a cross on top of the chapel, and on the night of Thanksgiving, I flick the switch and it all goes on,” she told BHG.
“Tourists come round and look at the outside of my house, so for their sake, it’s a bit less tacky out there, but inside I can tacky it up any way I please!” Parton went on. “I have Christmas trees in all the rooms, everything has lights on—and then we add more lights, and then more lights.”
She said she even decorates herself.
“Oh, and I have Christmas lights in my hair—I have them everywhere,” Parton added. “I wear earrings that light up, a reindeer necklace that lights up, I wear sweaters with Christmas lights on—you push a button and I light up!”
What we would give to spend the holidays with Granny Claus!