We’re Celebrating the Holidays with Dolly Parton!

The holidays have always been a special time of year for Dolly Parton. As a child, the country music legend celebrated Christmas with her parents and 11 brothers and sisters in a small two-room cabin nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee. They decorated a tree her father had cut down in the woods, then cooked and played music through the holiday season.

These days, Christmas remains Dolly’s favorite holiday—whether she’s on stage singing carols or in the kitchen with her nieces and nephews baking cookies. For the world-renown singer and songwriter, the season is and has always been about faith, fun, food and family. Each year, she carries forward the Christmas traditions she has established over the years—many based on the stories and lessons of her childhood and all mixed with a healthy dose of gratitude and the spirit of giving.

We are so excited to be collaborating with Dolly this year on her first holiday collection for Williams Sonoma. In it, she shares many of the personal traditions that have become so close to her heart. Key among these rituals is an annual cookie baking and decorating night she shares with her neices and nephews. The night begins with her sugar cookie mix which can be easily be easily adapted so that everyone gets to enjoy their own favorite flavor. This year, they will keep themselves neat and tidy with their own patchwork Apron of Many Colors based on her song and personal story, The Coat of Many Colors. Dolly introduces the concept behind her apron in this video:

Dolly’s two-room Tennessee mountain home has also been re-created in the form of a miniature log cabin that has been constructed of gingerbread and icing and is ready for the table. Much like the cozy cabin that can be visited at Dollywood, Dolly’s family theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, this snowy tabletop version is modeled after her childhood home—a simple dwelling that was full of the love of family and still holds a special place in her heart.

Dolly fans know that the music maven is as much a dedicated philanthropist as she is a singer, songwriter and successful businesswoman. Especially during the holiday season, she reminds us all to remember gratitude for what we have and to share with others. Her butterfly-emblazoned spatula and tea towel to benefit No Kid Hungry and gifts of toys and of books through the Imagination Library are just a few of the ways you can help Dolly give back this season.

Dolly’s strength, positivity, empathy and an enormous love of life are just some of the aspects of her personality that make fans adore her—in addition to her tremendous talent, of course! Our video team couldn’t resist the opportunity to ask her about some of her cherished Christmas memories, from special gifts and what she’s grateful for to the importance of charity and what she loves most about the holidays. Her responses put us firmly in the Dolly fan club.

To check out Dolly Parton’s Collection for Williams Sonoma, click HERE.