Why Dolly Parton Insists on Leaving Christmas Decorations Up Until Jan. 19
Stacie Huckeba/Courtesy Butterfly Records, LLC Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton will be in no rush to put a stopper in the holiday cheer come Dec. 26.
The country legend, 74, recently revealed on the Nov. 30 episode of Cody Alan's Cody Cast podcast that she leaves her Christmas decorations up more than three weeks after the holiday for a very personal reason.
"I put up my Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving," Parton said. "I celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving until my birthday on the 19th of January. I always make them leave my decorations up 'till after my birthday, 'cause I am still celebrating."
As for how she and her family take on the Christmas feast, "We do all the traditional stuff, like everybody else," the "Jolene" hitmaker shared. "The turkey and dressing. Sometimes we just bake big fat chickens instead of turkeys, but we do all the hams and the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, and the pumpkin and sweet-potato pies."
One unique item? Chicken and dumplings, which Parton makes "every year," she said: "My family loves that. Mama used to make dumplings at Christmas, so I still do that, in addition to all the other stuff."
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NETFLIX Dolly Parton
Parton has always been one to get into the Christmas spirit, but this year she doubled down with a Christmas album and Christmas special.
Her first full-length Christmas album in 30 years, A Holly Dolly Christmas serves up an eclectic collection of 12 songs, featuring six collaborations and six originals. It includes collaborations with Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus (Parton's goddaughter).
Parton told Billboard back in August that she wanted the title of the album to be "cute and clever" and was inspired by the classic "A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives.
"He used to be on all of my Christmas specials all through the years," Parton said of the iconic singer. "I think of him as Mr. Christmas. I thought, 'Why don't do I call it something cute and clever, like that or Deck the Halls with Boughs of Dolly, something corny like that?' "
RELATED VIDEO: Dolly Parton Stars as an Angel in New Netflix Holiday Musical Christmas on the Square
Dolly Parton Stars as an Angel in New Netflix Holiday Musical Christmas on the Square
"Christmas on the Square will bring the JOY the world needs right now," said director Debbie Allen of the movie, which debuts on Nov. 22
Ahead of her hourlong CBS entertainment special A Holly Dolly Christmas earlier this month, Parton gave a sneak peek of what fans could expect.
"I think that music is a great connector, just is that universal language that everybody enjoys. Right now, during this time, it's important to put as much love, as much light, and as much joy, as you can out there to the people," she said in a teaser video.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many fans will be unable to spend the holidays with their loved ones. But the "I Will Always Love You" legend had high hopes that her Christmas special would bring her fans together through music.
"We did put a lot of good stuff together, being safe. We don't get to go out to be with our families all across the country. Sing along with me and enjoy the stories that I've enjoyed telling for you in this special. What else you doin'?" Parton said.
