Video: Dolly Parton's Favorite Christmas Memory

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas—topping out our Christmas travel bucket list. Image courtesy of The Dollywood Company.

When The New York Times called Dolly Parton one thing “we can all agree on,” they weren’t wrong. The Patron Saint of American Kindness famously founded the Imagination Library, which sends more than a million books a month (yes, a million books a month) to tots up to age five throughout the U.S. and a handful of other countries. Over the years, she’s assisted HIV/AIDS charities, wildlife preservationists and so much more (we weren’t surprised to learn she also helped fund Covid-19 vaccine research. )

Ms. Parton grew up with 11 siblings in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, without much extra money but with plenty of love to spare. So when we heard her story, below, about the seemingly meager Christmas that also sounded like the happiest holiday ever, we got a little misty eyed (and bet you will too).

Video courtesy of The Dollywood Company, and used with permission.

Editor’s Note: Due to varying local and state regulations surrounding Covid-19, confirm all travel plans before booking.

Aspen Grange, home of American-made Christmas decorations and American-made baking supplies, is building the most Christmassy place on the internet.