Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2025 i Southern Lady

PASS THE JOY Stepping into the role of Southern Lady editor with the November/December issue seems particularly appropriate. Many of my family’s most cherished holiday traditions found their inspiration in this publication. As a longtime reader, I have discovered menus here that, decades later, are now considered staples of our Yuletide entertaining. This time of year, thoughts drift to memories of the matriarch who made the Christmases of my childhood so precious. Gathering in the kitchen with my daughter to make one of my late mother’s specialties—admiring her beautiful script on the handwritten recipe card—it almost feels like three generations are preparing the dish together. Serving the feast not only draws guests to the table but also invites them to experience something more nourishing than food. Whether we are passing…

Perched atop a gentle knoll of what was once known as Railroad Avenue in Ridgeway, South Carolina, Pecan Hill Estate Bed & Breakfast is a sweet slice of Southern hospitality, where quiet moments and joyful celebrations are savored in equal measure. Originally built between 1880 and 1890, the walls of the Victorian farmhouse surely whisper centuries of intriguing stories. But the innkeepers, husband and wife Rick and Tina Johnson, have restored the home so that its past is preserved, while modern touches welcome visitors near and far to experience signature charm and comfort. The B&B’s name came about naturally, as a grove of eighteen pecan trees offers shade to the nearly 5-acre plot of land, in addition to a scattering of live oaks and magnolias. Inside the dwelling, visitors are…

With a flourish of glossy greenery and sprightly berries, a handmade mistletoe ball evokes gracious Yuletide charm. Begin with a sphere of floral foam or plastic foam, wrapping a 2- to 3-foot piece of ribbon around the ball and tying securely, leaving enough length to loop for hanging. Knot the ribbon at the base to anchor it and tuck clipped sprigs evenly around the sphere until the form becomes lush and full. Add small pine cones and berries for texture and crown the orb with a scarlet bow. Suspended in a doorway, this timeless adornment offers a holiday welcome steeped in Southern elegance.…

In December, the centuries-old South Carolina farmhouse where Rachel Payette and her family reside seems to come to life anew. Fragrant trimmings adorn the fireplace, heirloom teacups sparkle in candlelight, and a towering Christmas tree glimmers with ornaments collected over the years. “Growing up, this house was always the center of the holidays,” Rachel shares. “My grandmother filled it with trees, fresh greenery from the yard, and plenty of food. I love carrying on those traditions in my own way.” Today, Rachel’s holiday styling blends timeless charm with a lived-in warmth, as cedar garlands drape gracefully across mantels and antique ornaments are tucked into vignettes. Stockings hang in the same rooms where her grandfather once worked tirelessly to restore the home. Built in the 1700s by Henry H. Horn, the…

Take a look at some of our favorite November/December web features: A Peaceful Palette Tour a circa 1931 home dressed for Yuletide with a mingling of traditional details and contemporary embellishments in shades of blush and blue. Bright Starry Night Follow our easy step-by-step tutorial to create your own galaxy of paper stars, perfect for adding a sweet handmade holiday touch to interiors. 8 Christmas Party Recipes As the season of entertaining approaches, find a delicious sampling of favorite sippers and snacks certain to enhance any Yuletide gathering. All the Trimmings Find inspiration in our selection of beautifully appointed Christmas trees of varying sizes, from charming tabletop styles to towering firs. Be the first to know about exclusive content by subscribing to our newsletter at southernladymagazine.com/newsletter-signup and by following us…

Often food is used as a tool to take care of others—to show them we care when they bring home a newborn baby or need a helping hand. For Caroline Bowen, hours spent in the kitchen offered a reprieve from her own troubles, allowing measuring cups and recipe cards to serve as companions through a difficult time. A freezer overflowing with homemade goodies urged her to start Sweet Kaki’s as a way to share her special pies from her porch step and beyond. Hailing from a small town in South Carolina, Caroline, also known as “Kaki,” grew up savoring her mother’s homestyle dinners around the family’s oak table. She took this everyday practice for granted until she left for college in Atlanta, quickly realizing she could barely cook for herself.…

“CHRISTMAS WAVES A MAGIC WAND OVER THIS WORLD, AND BEHOLD, EVERYTHING IS SOFTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL.”—NORMAN VINCENT PEALE…

As trees surrender the last of their leaves to wintertime, Christmas arrives on doorsteps with the scent of cloves and peppermint, and carols ring in the streets, the time for decking the halls arrives at last. For Sara McDaniel, the creative force behind the Simply Southern Cottage blog, her 1920s teacherage is the perfect place for joining talents with her friend Sarah Overall in dressing a tablescape with festive finery. ​Historic properties have long captured Sara’s attention: the character, memories hidden in the details, and time-honored designs. When she discovered the Fuller-White House in Minden, Louisiana, the historic dwelling tugged at her heartstrings, and the designer restored the home as an event space for her community. The dining room offered immediate inspiration with its green tile fireplace, and Sara drew…

An entourage of vintage Santa Claus figures peeks from the curio cabinet in Jennie Burton Duvall’s living room. “Some of these are more than one hundred years old,” Jennie says of the cherished collection that once belonged to her grandmother. “I put them in my living room cabinet every year. It’s a fun way to see how the Santa image has changed over time.” The whimsical assemblage is just one of many nods to heritage sprinkled throughout the craftsman-style home Jennie shares with her two Maltipoos, Beau and Collins. A certified public accountant whose passion for interior design is evident in every inch of the well-appointed abode just outside Birmingham, Alabama, Jennie finds great joy in welcoming the nearest and dearest for Yuletide gatherings in surroundings that sparkle with her…

SUPPER CLUB CELEBRATIONS Pages 37–39, 41, and 43: Ginori plates; Appointments at Five. Topiary forms; Cotton & Quill. Christmas topiaries and framed art; Parker Kennedy. Dining room artwork by artist Elizabeth Endres. Striped table lamps; Zafferano America. PASTELS & PRESENTS Page 55: Royale coupe in pale pink and Adriana water glass in green; Abigails. Gold trim dinner napkins in duck egg blue; Joanna Buchanan. Elizabeth pink rectangle tablecloth; LNH Edit. Spray napkin rings; Kim Seybert. Jolly Santa salt and pepper shaker set; Antique Farm House. Christmas car mini beaded pillow; Mud Pie. Page 56: Blush hues bottlebrush tree; Antique Farm House. Aurelia runner in champagne/crystal; Kim Seybert. Dancer and Prancer Pink Christmas gift tags; Sugar B Designs. Page 57: C’est Noël note card, Tis the Season personalized notes, and Sugarplum…

They say everything is bigger in Texas. That’s definitely true about Christmas in Grapevine. While many people outside of the state may never have heard of this small city tucked between Dallas and Fort Worth, it holds a distinguished title as the “Christmas Capital of Texas,” and for good reason. For 40 days, the city transforms into a scene straight out of a holiday movie. The brimful calendar holds 1,400 festive events, including a Christmas market, drone shows, and the Parade of Lights—the largest of its kind in North Texas, featuring 100 floats, marching bands, and decorated trucks. To create this winter wonderland, every rooftop, storefront, and restaurant glows with merry seasonal decor. Sparkly trees, snowmen, and life-size ornaments abound. A bounty of lights transform the destination into a magical…

“TAKING A ‘MORE IS MORE’ APPROACH TO HOLIDAY DECORATING IS A JOY FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO DRAPE, DAZZLE, AND DELIGHT WITH ABANDON DURING CHRISTMAS.”—LYDIA MENZIES The spirit of Yuletide shines brilliantly, not only in the faces of those gathered around a holiday table but also in the reflection of each gleaming decoration that helps create a festive atmosphere. Anchoring this exuberant table is a spiral brass tree form that holds vintage ornaments. Handmade topiaries by Parker Kennedy grace each side of the centerpiece to complete the trio. Prized crystal Christmas trees also dot the tablescape, adding shimmer and delight. As the eye surveys the riot of glimmering jewel-toned baubles, exquisite plates in white and gold offer a peaceful pause, placed atop a rich red velvet tablecloth. Crisp white napkins,…

In the South’s most soulful city, a jazz tune dances down cobblestone streets as giddy children and adults alike enjoy the pillowy delight of the destination’s classic dessert: warm beignets dusted in powdered sugar. While the calendar pages wane, New Orleans greets the holidays with inimitable flair, wrapping festivities in a melody all its own. ​Tucked into the heart of the city, steps away from the French Quarter and framed by the Mississippi River on the other side, The Windsor Court is one of the most luxurious hotels in the Crescent City. It is also an idyllic base when exploring New Orleans during Christmastime. Originally built in 1984 by local businessman James “Jimmy” Coleman Jr. to welcome the World’s Fair, the hotel glows in the Louisiana sun with its rose…

WINTER WONDERLAND Don sparkling jewels and festive garb for an affair just as merry and bright. Ruby red accentuates a mixed-metal fête, an ode to traditional Christmas flair. Ruffled plates pair with bow-clad napkins for a playful note, while an arrangement of red and white roses, Queen Anne’s lace, and winterberry perfumes the surround. A bevy of ornaments tucked into acrylic boxes with oversize bows imparts a dash of whimsy to the scene. Imbibe on Everything’s Coming Up Roses cocktails, while sumptuous fare such as beef tenderloin crostini, crispy crab cakes, rosemary palmiers, and a variety of mini cheese balls are passed around. For the grand finale, a slice of Cherry-Pecan Cake and a glass of bubbly wish guests farewell after a night brimming with precious memories. Beef Tenderloin Crostini…