Traditions

Tradition: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action or behavior…………Merriam-Webster Dictionary

I am a self-confessed hopeless romantic. Always have been. Always will be. I take great comfort in the practice of traditions. I suppose no other season of the year is this so verified as Christmas. Traditions seem to offer support and a framework for achieving those beliefs we hold so dear. Through the annual reenactment of: home decorating, sending greeting cards, baking, shopping, attending pageants and parties, we feel complete. Maybe a tad weary, but grounded. Our lives are “in order” and have structure.

This holiday season, I made sure my agenda included the viewing of the annual National Gingerbread House Competition at the historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. Just entering the Grove Park Inn is enough to “Wow” any soul, as it is the ultimate statement in authentic Craftsman-style architecture and décor. Although I have had the good fortune of experiencing this inn on many occasions, every return is as enchanting as the first.

Like a monumental museum exhibit, the gingerbread creations were displayed on skirted tables behind barricades of wrought iron. One could easily see the incredible amounts of detail, time, and skill involved in them. Each entrant was as unique as the next. The tradition of creating houses of gingerbread dates to Germany in the early 1800’s--as a result of Grimm’s infamous fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. The custom soon migrated to America with the Pennsylvanian Germans. Yes, the classic cottage design was present; in addition, so were many over-the-top creations. All you could do is stare at each while muttering, “Wow!” The thought of eating any of them was simply remiss, as they were all purely too fantastical.

There were ribbons posted for those designs deemed “winners”. I would not have wanted to be a judge, as they were all amazing. My personal culinary skillset could easily be labeled, "Non-existant". Thus, this is one holiday tradition that I can only stand in awe and relish in its practice.

Also on the agenda, was a trip to see the Smith-McDowell House Museum. Constructed in 1840, this is the oldest standing residence in Asheville and the first mansion built in the city. James Smith, a local shipping tycoon, was the original owner, followed by his daughter (the William McDowell family). The house’s six main rooms are each furnished in the period décor related to each one of the 6 decades (1840-1890) that this original family owned the property.

During the holiday season, each of these six rooms is decorated in a manner to interpret six traditional Christmas carols (Here We Come A-Wassailing/ We Three Kings/ We Wish You a Merry Christmas/ The Holly and the Ivy/ O Christmas Tree/ and Jingle Bells).  For an interior designer, such as myself, this is like stepping into a time machine of style: a living manual for design and décor.

The simplest room is that of the kitchen, found in the basement area of the home. As it is furnished in the earliest era (1840), all items are of local providence and feature function over decorative embellishment.  In contrast, each of the bedrooms and upstairs parlor mark the decades of 1850-1870. It is easy to see the influence of each period and the ascending affluence of the owners. European imports began to reach the area via the ports of Charleston, South Carolina, allowing furnishings to become more fanciful in nature.

The main parlor and dining room feature the influence of the 1880’s. As this was the “gilded age” or “age of excess”, Victorian décor abounds. The lavish window treatments and ornately carved furniture echo the perceived luxury of its time.

The holiday decorations associated with each room are indicative of the traditions kept within each decade. Yes, many of the same decorative elements are used today. This speaks of the longevity and basic need for traditions. This is proof of the human desire for an established practice.

I am glad that I was able to experience both the Gingerbread House Competition and Smith-McDowell House Museum. It made me realize how important traditions are in our lives. Every tradition is seated in an experience of significant value.

Christmas is most representative of this. Love is its true foundation. As such, it is during this season that we often express appreciation for those in our lives. 

I believe this is one tradition we must guard and hold dear, not only in December, but throughout the year.

This was a Moment in America.