BY: D’cara Hood
It is almost that time of the year, where we have surpassed the smoldering heat of the summer time. Time for us southerners to break out the warm blankets, and Ugg boots. It is also time for us to decorate our houses and spend quality time with our families. As thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approach, here are some very common southern holiday traditions. When it comes to holidays southern can tend to be homebodies. When it comes to good ole home cooking and family, us southern folks have that down pat.
Up first, Southern thanksgiving traditions, it goes well beyond saying bless your heart and covering everything in gravy. Here are my top traditions for thanksgiving, and you absolutely know you are having a southern thanksgiving! Having bacon in your green beans is totally normal. Having and entrée or a side dish that was hunted or planted in your backyard is such a thing. Chances are you have that one uncle who has his specialty in Varman, and that one grandma who does those fried green tomatoes every year. May not be super traditional but it has a southern kick. Dinner time will always be before kickoff, so if you like that second plate with a dose of football you are good to go. As the Falcons and the Saints math up at 7:20 this year. Anyone north of the Mason-Dixon line would call your sweet potatoes a dessert. Just to be clear they are a side item. Even if they are piled high with perfectly toasted mini marshmallows. And contain a hearty pour of molasses, and a little cinnamon-sugar. There is a big difference in stuffing and dressing. Dressing is served on the side, and stuffing is just what so happens to be stuffed in a turkey. Raised in the south there is no clear and concise recipe for any dish, as tradition infuses them all. Finally, you couldn’t call it dinner without sweet tea. It’s easier to find than water, and you best believe that iced tea will be sweetened to the point that an outsider might call it sugar-water, but that’s what makes it so irresistible.
Weather it is bouncing between Christmas office parties or ugly sweater parties Christmas down south is a time to enjoy. No matter if you have a white Christmas, or a sandy Christmas. There are some southern staples when it comes to Christmas time down south. Christmas tree farms is a way to get the whole family involved. Go out and pick a tree tall or small, there is a tree that will warm the hearts of everyone. A wealth of poinsettias, lively Christmas carols, and enough garland to cover all of Santa’s workshop. Not to mention some of the best casseroles, creamy cakes (red Velvet), and crowd-pleasing holiday dishes are only a small part of the holiday dishes gracing our holiday menu. Making mention of decedent entrees, my dad makes the world’s best sweet potato pie. With a secret ingredient that the world could never know. If you don’t have any favorite or special holiday traditions create one, and some memories that will last a lifetime.