Christmas Planning
Follow our Christmas planning tips for effortless holiday hosting the Southern way. We have gift wrapping advice, cookie decorating tips, and festive menus filled with Southern charm for every type of Christmas gathering.
![2020 Let It Glow light show at Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee.](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/bA0BU0ngvx0ju4JBvzwXDYKfjHg=/364x242/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/UnionCity_Obion_DiscoveryPark_CarlyKendall11-dfdd65a327e64622a723cc547f562dcd.jpg)
10 Best Christmas Towns In Tennessee—From Racetracks To Mountain Getaways
![Gold Christmas ornament Chrismon Cross on the tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-KJrIY8Z3mASZZ6pfQCTcBWyPB4=/364x242/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-172642556-10469a2e8b0d4a4cae1bbf95c46cebc2.jpg)
The Tradition Behind The Chrismon Tree
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Experience The Magic Of The Holiday Season In Warm Springs, Georgia
![Christmas Wreath in Window](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/vRngRMgBzK_TiqlVY2GaXjd_6Ik=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1200101955-0ddd05f94b8344268aa3b5b123c23d1e.jpg)
This Passed-Down Holiday Tradition From My Childhood Has Been The Greatest Gift
![Stocking By Christmas Tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/eMQ0trwLMQDbcq7qRPhFceeukhk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-5328899521-9134b40bc6b24abc91bf10e228a2e92c.jpg)
Where To Hang A Stocking Without A Mantle
![Grand Prize Winner, Difficult Dessert Devotees at The Omni Grove Park Inn](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/mp88G9aeokePj_mMPwdxaNBzvmc=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GrandPrizeWinnerDifficultDessertDevotees1-02e133629f914eb89cd871459cfcaa30.jpg)
An Aunt & Niece From North Carolina Won The Grove Park Inn’s Annual Gingerbread House Competition
![Bed with festive sheets and pillow, mini Christmas tree, and Macaroons for Santa](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-WCbVCd5z-E3KsC2-fbqdP1MB4U=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27650_unnamed-1-9575a620f06d49f59d1a297329492a07.jpg)
How To Treat Your Guests The Best This Holiday Season, According To The Experts
![St. Nicholas boots](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/ZZS6rKjtpxiSt2dIyqpGbN3p0Vg=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1356744736-192affe036474247a46558ffb108c629.jpg)
Why St. Nicholas Day Is The Holiday Tradition My Kids Will Always Remember
![Man mixing cocktails at bar decorated for Christmas](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/kL2w82TvobtIX7SRPL1ESKH1ylg=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27433_ChristGH_Dallas_CocaoBar-6-0e65cbb9b64e433e985616b56e14cafe.jpg)
The Best Things To Do In Dallas This Christmas
![Smoky Mountains Winter](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/axouVnG1etg4SylnshvFAJLYFOw=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-172781730-2000-aec18d707f4345ac98e8e09c76c94d0f.jpg)
How To Spend Your Christmas In Tennessee's Smoky Mountains
![Colorful table setting with floral centerpieces and Christmas tree in back](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/3phLpJyFBVkQLgMi3r5GIYPmxsw=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27418_221213-SL-JulieNeill-140-Fhori-6ed2accf6da444cda4e5c306f0e010b0.jpg)
5 Ways To Make Holiday Decorations More Colorful And Personal
![Christmas lights on a house in the snow](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/pDkbDawYlQlUw361wWeaQVd6018=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-532449620-11e751805e2b483995b81e4b4afd45f1.jpg)
5 Mistakes You're Probably Making With Your Christmas Lights
![Walmart Turkey Breast](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/6I8AFeXHisE9iwlOt8dBE7KoH4E=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/WalmartTurkey-1d6c63778a114a969e3d30680393be62.jpg)
Walmart And Aldi Promise To Lower Prices On Holiday Essentials
![Bright jewel toned living room decorated for Christmas](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/r4hB56GCDMP8d3pCv1ZmI0rA8S4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27420_Pritchard-Simmons_living-room_full-299-b700adc568a445dfab87976442da084b.jpg)
64 Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas For A Dazzling Holiday
![Sandman](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/30KUgO7YYr_gaW9NfYMi5SLx2gI=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1347912021-fe0d2d2bfdc94e548dafc4411fc03d43.jpg)
17 Festive Party Ideas For "Christmas in July"
![christmas china](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/_GoTDYUIbmfXtl2fe1bRSmpcIPM=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/christmaschina-9177693f92f049ff8fa01b7c5473b0f8.jpg)
Classic Christmas China Patterns You'll Want To Collect
![Couple Stringing Lights on Christmas Tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/vHMM2LBL6JKRQUPljcEWIEnaH6E=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/couple-placing-string-lights-on-christmas-tree-2000-bbcf960ba4504cefa0c8e47b298a4694.jpg)
4 Ways To Hang Lights On A Christmas Tree
![Gregory Cohen in his candymaking shop with a pan of candy canes](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/vyMrTwm6pWjvU3wEApZBPbDBMus=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27432_Candy_148-d5408ef9cbfe473eb015759a87e260e8-8d4630e0127e422e982ada7ae33c1063.jpg)
This Tallahassee Candymaker Still Twists Candy Canes By Hand
![Elevated view of the Biltmore Home and front lawn during a cloudy evening](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/9SXejMBLQkAcuNYiPTbGrsho2D8=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/27431_Biltmore_24-1-0ac673dca82b4890a2626d87b9842654.jpg)
A Christmastime Visit To The Biltmore Will Transport You To The Gilded Age
![Keenan Living Room with Christmas Tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/bAaA41HF4LcBruz3WMiDolrUipM=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2343201_keena0183-1-4ad5ebf54ff44d859507c220af815e71.jpg)
12 Old-School Christmas Eve Traditions We’ll Never Give Up
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The 7 Best Christmas Cookbooks, According To Our Editors
![Spice-Rubbed Tenderloin with Mustard-Cream Sauce](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/qED-Sh4WZjazgM8lXhbg3-YHv8A=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2429801_marve_0568_0_0-2000-d7ff542de11e42ce907a3e9208e5553e-9d3e3a88fdda4832811168856c4bcc15.jpg)
How Much Beef Tenderloin To Buy For Your Holiday Dinner
![Christmas Gift Exchange Party](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/V9ozu3UN72386dK6w3x80xorQNk=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gettyimages-871203122-2000-5bd128e7ee384c5ca9ee2e199ccad640.jpg)
Learn How To Play Dirty Santa—The Best Christmas Game Ever
![Santa on his Cell Phone](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/tsYTi9FNfNir5gNL8bUEp6bt30Q=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/santa_on_his_cell-2000-8b8334f9c24546e7a0a09f1799b47dcf.jpg)
Forget Stamps: You Can Reach Santa Claus By Phone
![Mail a Cake](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/mPS6_36P5L4F9RafekUSv6sQzAE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-156839052-2000-adc30b6dee714669be755ebef8a3dccf.jpg)
How To Mail a Homemade Cake
![Christmas Card Etiquette](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-JRCIrYgmP4BEU_j5z5ixxqVyw0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gettyimages-517201952-2000-8f8edf545fd341598de359c70013065d.jpg)
7 Etiquette Tips For Polished Christmas Cards
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55 Fun Christmas Activities For Kids And Families
![Display Christmas Cards](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/5qwHx6bqn3twMu9rtzWejthj4gA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hm_a61c2b5a5e1a14f1_spcms-1-ed25782dd46347088c57ce44ca02385e.jpg)
5 Christmas Card Grammar Mistakes To Avoid This Year
![Kitchen Island](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/d9ecknw0lAcO_tPkeBg3L87PpNQ=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2343201_keena0380-2000-tout-7672d6a06cee4f97a89b4947c2035170.jpg)
12 Items You Should Always Keep In Your Kitchen During The Holiday Season
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38 Christmas Party Ideas That Guarantee A Festive Event
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When Is The Appropriate Time To Send Christmas Cards?
![christmas table crop](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/taoFNdvMhR77GUezhs_XoWFknXE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/toutcrop2614301_allab_1870-1-d1c2ff07a77c415a9b3e6adc35254785-1622852bdb5c4fab9d524b3744565f5b.jpg)
12 Nostalgic Scents To Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas
![Male hands water a potted Christmas tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/4YwC9ReR_QnEwU5t6tIEmEBk8E8=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1287065895-2000-7c9283afd7d64324aaa79348ee0a779a.jpg)
How Often You Should Be Watering Your Christmas Tree
![Gingerbread Cookies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Cw9rxJdTULymtsrPmtl6HOkCWCE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Southern-Living_SEOBatch46_Gingerbread-Cookies_beauty_4142-33fe523f8ed84e26a37394e0067174e2.jpg)
25 Christmas Traditions To Start This Year
![Woman and daughter in front of christmas tree](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/zMuUcBYDsSYS3BtcHeFb8-mOVVU=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1449072049-358ec7d3f15e457f818f86a0e2dc638e.jpg)
18 Best Christmas Experiences To Share With Your Daughter
![Kennedy Family At White House On Christmas](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/6lJpVQqJRWqcsCkqC5B11Qfz4B0=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-32259721-2512c4c3af8b424c93f363d363a59a05.jpg)
5 Mistakes I’ll Never Again Make When Hosting The Holidays
![Vintage Family Christmas Photo](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/97qtwq9UMtufQpnxSGfbbaH_2qw=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-81773248-a63c3740de214eacbeabfdce63361376.jpg)
When Did We Start Including Photos On Our Christmas Cards?
![Christmas letter and Christmas gifts](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/2GxD8FlzTXNZuq7Em6GdZ3fkzLA=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1344318955-8ce4536b8c0f4baaa343dc9faf6cd917.jpg)
Why Giving A Christmas Wish List Is A Gift In Itself
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Holiday Etiquette Tips All Southerners Should Know
![Christmas Table Decor with Blacks and Reds](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/bVBFZ7-nys2YVL4JnfUCBDq9lcw=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2571301_decem_8825-857a6fd4093948da99aefb7d8cea65a2.jpg)
25 Christmas Table Settings For A Festive Holiday Meal
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Is It Good Manners To Ask Someone What They Want For Christmas
![Vintage Mail Carrier](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/_yU4f-OcRegwSfP75tbTGwivKgw=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-108432212-939555770d79465c8296b2c314ba3fa3.jpg)
5 Simple Ways To Thank Your Mail Carrier This Holiday Season
![Costco Wholesale front door](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/N1ZqFQ2oxFBwphQL7-vntjsBvU4=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/costco-store-front-gettyimages-3x2-1-db70fb5fe4c44edc8797895e13f4afcf-3121b6e7a6cc4bada94dd325a5f9a82d.jpg)
This Costco Hack Will Make Holiday Hosting A Breeze
![Dana Wolter Living Room Decoated for Christmas](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-C0KSQAOdZMOyCZUV9UknCwSBoE=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dana-wolter-living-room-2500001-49564-1-874b076be7b44692a6d734c9dc34d527-6015610707ab4bc491e2fba2ec8be4a4.jpeg)
12 Cheerful Ways To Add Christmas Décor To Every Room
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Why Do My Sugar Cookies Spread Out While Baking?
![Christmas Cookies](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Z8zjKlGZgrV_WYIwqmKYYXEKjBo=/282x188/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/christmas-cookies-2000-4b779606747944dcb9d78975db1098c8.jpg)
The Right Way To Make And Freeze Christmas Cookies