Dolly Parton, at 78, continues to spread holiday cheer by dressing up as “Granny Claus” each Christmas, bringing joy to her family—even though the children have grown up. In an interview with Good Housekeeping UK, the beloved country music icon shared her festive tradition of donning a Santa Claus suit and coming down the chimney, much to her family’s delight.
“Every year, I play Granny Claus,” Parton revealed. “I get in my Santa suit, come down the chimney with a sack full of presents. Even though a lot of the children are grown-up now, they still expect me to do it.” She joked about how the tradition may evolve in the future: “One day, I’ll be hobbling in that elevator!”
Though Parton and her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, do not have children of their own, she has always embraced the role of a beloved matriarch, taking joy in showering love on the children around her. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, Parton said, “I realize I didn’t have kids of my own, so everybody’s kids could be mine. I [want to] empower children and give them confidence.”
Her passion for Christmas extends to her home decor as well. While she keeps the exterior of her home understated for tourists who come by, the inside is a different story. “I have Christmas trees in all the rooms, everything has lights on—and then we add more lights, and then more lights,” she told Good Housekeeping UK, laughing as she described her holiday haven. “I change all the decor up—the dishcloths, the curtains. I can tacky it up any way I please!”
Her festive spirit even shines through in her wardrobe. “I have Christmas lights in my hair, earrings that light up, a reindeer necklace that lights up, sweaters with Christmas lights—everything!” Parton said. In fact, in 2023, she shared a montage of her holiday outfits on Instagram, captioning it, “I’m always in costume on Christmas.”
Parton’s love for extravagant fashion is detailed in her book Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones, where she reflects on being inspired by the “town tramp” growing up. “She had bright red lipstick, long red fingernails, high-heeled shoes with floating plastic goldfish in them… I just thought she was beautiful,” she told The Guardian.
Beyond the glitz and Christmas joy, Parton remains deeply connected to her roots. Most recently, she donated $1 million to aid Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Tennessee, a state that has faced devastating storms. Speaking at a press conference, Parton expressed her heartfelt connection to her home state. “These are my mountains, my valleys, my rivers, and these are my people,” she said. “This is my home.”
Dolly Parton continues to embody the spirit of giving—both in her family celebrations and in her charitable work—proving once again that her heart is as big as her festive flair.
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