Over the years Granny has made many Christmas stockings. She’s crocheted them, macramed them, and even sewed them up from Christmas fabric.
She often gives them away. I have several variations of her handmade stockings.
In the beginning there were only five crocheted stockings that hung at Granny and Pap’s house. One for each of them and three for my brothers and me.
Then my brother Steve married and Granny had to add another one. Then Steve and Kim had a baby boy so another stocking was required. Then I married Matt. Then Steve and Kim had another son Mark. You get the picture.
Over the years Granny has continued to add to the stockings she hangs around her living room. As her grandkids began to marry the number increased. And then the great-grandchildren started coming along and there were more stockings needed. Currently Granny has nine great grandchildren!
One of those nine was born during 2025. Just like all the rest, Granny made sure the newest member of our family has a handmade stocking.
There’s something really powerful in the knowledge that the matriarch of the family cares enough to make you your very own stocking as a way of paying homage to the fact that you are now part of her family.
While the adults realize that, it will be years until the children do. I hope I’m here to make sure they understand the significance of being born into a family that loves them.
Granny has had a rough week, but she’s still looking forward to Christmas.
Last night’s video: Christmas Candy for Friends.
Tipper
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I love Granny’s tradition. Much love goes into those handmade stockings. Prayers for Granny. Wishing Granny and all of your family a blessed and Merry Christmas.
I love the idea of making a special ornament or trinket for each family member. They will hold so much sentimental value for each recipient. I’m sure the children in your family will love and appreciate those stockings forever. Sending prayers and warm thoughts to Granny.
I continue to pray for Granny — praying for peace of mind and comfort for her.
I am also praying for you Tipper, and for your family at this otherwise JOYOUS time!
(‘Beautiful bright red stockings, with thoughts of LOVE stitched into every row!)
My nightly prayers for Granny. Hope she can enjoy Christmas with her family. Tipper, may your whole family have a good time celebrating Christ’s birthday. I can tell that your family are good people. My family has a lot of the same Christmas traditions as yours. We were a large family (7 children), and we were so close. We kept mama and daddy’s house 20 years after they passed so we could still gather on special days and often on Sunday afternoons. Our tales and stories got bigger and bigger as the years went by. I am now 85 and in poor health, but we are getting together at my brother’s house for Christmas Eve.
Edith, Love those memories! I’m sorry for your poor health and will pray for you. Thank you for praying for Granny!
I know who the W and the I are. I know who the E is too but I don’t know his last name.
Granny is truly a blessing to her family. She has many stars in her crown. Sending up prayers for dearest Granny in this miraculous season.
Hi Tipper and Tipper fans! I have never met Granny, but I so admire her, and neither of my mom or dad’s parents were very loving…hands on, kind of grandparents.They were distant and not cold, but not warm either. My heart would sing loud if I had Granny for my grandma and I’m 76!!! She is such a loving, giving, soft voiced angel walking on this Earth dispensing her talented gifts…not just physical gifts, but a loving smile, and baked goods, and non baked goods, and a warmth about her. What a lovely lady inside and out!! My heart aches that she is having a rough go. With two cancers behind me and living with my third, I know first hand the ups and downs of dealing with that horrendous disease. Yet, like me, Granny seems to be able to put one foot in front of the other. I’m positive our Lord makes that possible for me, and He does for Granny as well. May He continue to bless and guide us all as we walk through this life.
Praying for peace and comfort for Granny. Her stockings are so adorable. I also pray for you all.
The Matriarch Of The Family Is A Jewel To Be Cherished. She Always Puts Others Before Herself. Granny Is So Talented With Her Crocheting, Gardening, Flowers. My Aunt Cora Reminds Me A Lot Of Granny. She Was 93 When She Passed This Year. I Sure Do Miss Her. She Was Like A Second Momma To Me. She Always Said Do Unto Others As You’d Have Done Until You. She Had A Tender,Loving Heart.
Prayers are always going up for Granny.
Granny is a treasure! Prayers for her and all of you as you prepare and look forward to Christmas.
I love this, Tipper. Prayers for your Mother.
Such a sweet story! I remember in a video one year seeing her stockings hanging up and now, there are even more. How precious! We continue our prayers for her every day.
Praying for granny! She certainly is a treasure. I love watching her in your videos over the years. The videos of her and Paul singing together are worth their weight in gold bless you, granny!❤️
Tipper, I loved hearing about Granny’s crocheted Christmas stockings! My grandma used to crochet doilies or embroider a dresser scarf or pillowcases to give as gifts. Years later, I came to truly and totally appreciate those gifts…when I also learned how to crochet and embroider…and realized how much time and tender caring goes into lovely handmade things. It would be amazing to know how much yarn has passed through Granny’s precious fingers…I’m sure it could be measured in miles! I’m praying for Granny and all her dear family as Christmas approaches. May each one treasure those precious stockings. They aren’t made of yarn…they’re made of L❤VE.
Beautiful Christmas stockings that Granny crocheted. What a treasure to have these! The love that was put into the making of these is priceless and the memories will be treasured for years to come.
Those stockings are precious! Granny is always a busy lady. I am sorry to hear she isn’t doing well. She is in my prayers as well. For those who want to learn knitting or crochet there are lots of books at thrift stores and videos on YouTube as well as other places. You can learn. I like crochet better because I can take out mistakes more easily. The beautiful hand-knit stockings my late mother-in-law had made for each family member with scenes and names were blackened by a house fire when my boys were little but we continued to use them. Now that we are scattered over the world I still put them out for the ones here, blackened and all. I’ve added some different ones but remember how special it was to see those matching stockings. I got heavy rain with that wind just after dark last night but don’t see any damage although I know some people did suffer. The sun is bright this morning. Tis the season I guess. I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.
Such a treasured and cherished ‘gift of love’ Granny is leaving her family with those beautiful Christmas stockings! I am saddened to hear she is having a harder week – I pray she will rally enough to be able to enjoy Christmas time with you all. May the Lord continue to be each of you’s strength and comfort and peace.
I too have a collection of stockings from my mother.
I’m sorry to hear that Granny has had a bad week. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.
God bless the Presley Family & the Wilson Family. Merry Christmas.
What beautiful treasures!! I’m so sorry to hear that granny is having a bad week. Sending positive thoughts her way, to ease her pain. I lost my mom and my aunt in a tragic accident on Aug 4 of ’21. They would be 85 and 83, now, so seeing clips of Granny warms my heart and I can see how much she’s loved by all of you. You’re all a beautiful legacy of this special woman ♡ I’ve received some bad news this week regarding my health and a setback while fighting cancer similar to Granny’s. If you have time for a little prayer for me, I’d really appreciate it. Merry Christmas to you, Tipper, and your beautiful family.
Kim, I will pray for your health. I’m sorry about the bad news.
I too have a collection of stockings from my mother.
I’m sorry to hear that Granny has had a bad week. I will continue to keep her in my prayers.
God bless the Presley Family & the Wilson Family. Merry Christmas.
A beautiful story of love and legacy, a talented skill and a sweet Christmas family tradition. And a blessing that you will keep that going. I am sorry that Mrs. Wilson is not doing well. You all are in my prayers.
Good morning everyone. Whew! Did we ever have high wind gusts. They lasted about all night long. I am thankful that the only things lying in my yard are a couple balls, a rug from my porch, my little Christmas flag, and lots of tree limbs. I fully expected to see a tree down somewhere. It was blowing so hard that the rain blowing against our windows sounded like sleet. I am so sorry Granny had a hard week. I pray for her every day. I am worried about my Mama this Christmas too, as it will be the first one without my dad. We are bringing her and my mother-in-law down for Christmas Eve dinner and to just hang out with the grandkids, and hopefully go to church with us. We will open gifts, as well. I decided yesterday that I am going to fill a stocking with tiny gifts and secretly hang it inside her closet door when we take her home. I will let her know it’s there on Christmas morning. I hope it brightens her morning. I wish she would spend the night with us, but she is a woman who likes to be in her own bed when she sleeps. Spending time is the only gift our parents really want from us, and I think it’s so sweet that I hear you say you are heading to Granny’s to visit during lots of your videos. You are a good daughter. I try to be also. Merry Christmas everyone.
Praying for Granny everyday.
Blessings for your family.
Granny is such a wonderful grandmother and a great grandmother. She is very creative, talented and skilled in making things for her family and friends. Her Christmas stockings for the youngest members of the family are beautiful! I know they will be cherished keepsakes for many years to come. Praying for Granny to have a good Christmas and feels well enough to enjoy every moment of it.
Great blog. One year Diane and I went down to Tallahassee to spend Christmas with her daughter and her husband. Diane is very big on traditions and stockings are one. Diane’s daughter told her they already had their stocking so don’t bring any. Diane also likes to dress up in costumes for special events so we traveled to Florida with Diane dressed as an elf. We walked into their apartment and immediately saw their stockings hung on a wall. Julie’s ( her daughter) was your normal everyday Christmas stocking but Andy’s was at least four feet long. I guess he was wishing would bring a ton of Christmas stocking gifts. The next morning all the stockings were filled, even Andy’s.
Merry Christmas to all of you and a ton of prayers for Granny.
When it comes to natural born talent, I’d say every single person in the Wilson family has it! You all have so many talents I don’t know where to start! Granny EXCELS at sewing, knitting, crocheting and decorating just to name a few things she does beautifully! I think those red stockings are adorable and EVERYBODY in this world would be delighted to have one of granny’s beautiful stockings hanging proudly at the fireplace! I’ll be honest. Every time I filled a stocking, it had to be “propped up” on a couch or some place cause it wasn’t going to stay weighed down hanging. As you all know, I’ve about “given up the ghost” on decorating too much, etc. Since I’ve taken this approach, I’m no longer stressed out, exhausted or wearied by purchasing and seeking gifts to please others. I’m content sharing a few goodies and divvying a little cash to the young folks and when I say a little-that’s exactly that. There’s no “windfall” financially speaking. If you want it-go get it-be a real go getter! Take your woman to work early and go get her!!! lol…. Last night the wind about carried me off in southwest VA. I was glad knowing I had a basement to high tail it to if the windows blew out. I was glad knowing there ain’t one tree on this whole acre lot too!!! I miss my trees, but on nights like that, I’m glad they’re one less thing to topple over on me! I will never be the same after HELENE… I saw things that day I never dreamed of seeing in WV much less any place outside Tornado Alley!!!! Explain it to me, yall. I’m waiting and I will make time for such an explanation. God bless you all and granny especially. You’re very blessed indeed, Miss Tipper, with a loving cup that runneth over in love and family and what really matters! You’re rich indeed! Merry Christmas and a happy day every day leading up to the New Year from Thanksgiving onward! That’s my wish for you all!
Praying for comfort for Granny. She is a rock! I am praying for your family as well, as it is tough to see a loved one in pain. I too, am glad that she taught the girls to crochet. I have to catch up on videos as I have been a little distracted lately.
I pray for all you all for every need to be met, every needed thing to be done and this Christmas to be one that lives in blessed memory as long as the youngest. And Randy, I’m sorry the blows just keep coming, though we of near age know that is this time of life. Knowing is not, however, a complete defense. I believe there is value in the pain of parting but am not able to say altogether just what it is. The Lord is not a waster and he turns the hardest things to good account.
Ron- you are spot on in saying God doesn’t waste anything! That’s a by line my son uses quite frequently from the pulpit.
Amen, Ron.
Sending Granny peace and comfort. Her handmade stockings are a treasure.
Granny is such a lovely woman, like you, Tipper. 🙂 Such beautiful stockings-what a treasure! Praying for her and your family.
I can certainly relate to making Christmas stockings—I’ve made stockings for my husband, myself, our son, our daughter, their spouses, and also for our dogs and grand dogs. I also hang a stocking for my husband’s brother and his family if they visit us at Christmastime. Our son is now in Heaven, but his stocking always comes out at Christmastime. We don’t have any grandchildren so Christmas is very different at our house, but the love is always in immediate and continuous supply!!! I always pray for Granny—I’m glad Granny is looking forward to Christmas despite her declining health. Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!!
Paryers for Granny. Have a wonderful Christmas!
I’m working on stockings for my family but they obviously won’t be done until next year. We have a new little one coming in May, my daughter is expecting a little boy. I want these to be treasured items for years to come for them. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this holiday season. I pray Granny gets to feeling some better by Christmas day so she can enjoy her family. Blessings from Ohio.
God bless Granny, give her deliverance, from having a rough time, touch her Lord, give her strength to endure, and enjoy this holiday season, in Jesus name
Amen
Amen, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. May God bless you Miss Louzine.
Tipper,
You are still lucky to have Granny even with her pain. She has a loving and caring family that through her guidance and devotion she molded into her family that is easily seen today. She is a wonderful person. A true Appalachian woman– family comes first.
We don’t live in a trailer but we have a small house that has two sets of sliding glass doors and an outside door that has a full window pane. The house sits on top of a hill overlooking the Big Reed Island Holler.
The family has lived here on this land (like your family) since settlement in the 1790’s. Yes, very pretty view but terrible wind even on a calm day. Even here the wind was terrible several days ago and doors with all the windows did not help keep out the cold air. Several years ago I heard about putting shower curtains over large windows to help keep the cold from the windows from seeping into the house. I put them up and it helped keep the temperature at a higher level in the house. I am glad it is warmer today but I noticed that another round of wind is coming for our area this afternoon. That is probably the wind you had last night. Now it is our turn in Eastern Appalachia. Take care and stay warm. Kathy Patterson
Prayers for Granny, and for your family as you take care of her. We are in the same season with my dad, he’s coming home from rehab today and we’re hoping for a good Christmas season with him.
I love the stockings she has made, I know you all consider them precious!
Granny is so special! I love handmade things at Christmas and Granny is the best! Holding her tight in our prayers. May the Lord be gracious and merciful to Granny. May all y’all feel His comfort and love!
Bless you Granny! Peaying for you to be able to enjoy being with those you have made stockings for.
God bless Granny. I’m so sorry she’s had a bad week. When Granny can no longer make her treasured Christmas stockings, I’m sure she wants you to carry on this wonderful tradition. Merry Christmas to Granny and her special family.
This is a beautiful story. Prayers for granny and Merry Christmas to you all!
I really want to learn to knit or crochet. I bought a Martha Stewart Knitting kit it and gave it a try one day but have never got it back out. I would love to make something for everyone for Christmas. Maybe someday.
Dear Tipper,
We always have Granny and her family on our prayer list. I love your stories about Granny and the family. Merry Christmas.
May God bless Granny. She has provided your family with a beautiful tradition that I am certain will always be remembered.
Our grandma did the same thing! Ours were red felt and blanket stitched with white yarn around them and “crudely” embroidered names on them. Mine has some melted chocolate spots on it from past Christmases. Means the world to me and I am 70 years old. All the fancy decorative stockings of today do not hold a light to this one! Glad Granny made the new baby one. I join the many other followers of yours in prayer for Granny as she looks forward to Christmas in spite of her challenges each day.
Good morning Tipper and Acorns. I pray all the time for Granny to have some comfort from the pain, some strength to get thru the day and for restful sleep cradled in the hand of GOD at night. She is a treasure, a Proverbs 31 Woman. I strive to be like her, as we all should. You are one too Tipper. I see and hear it every day in your posts and videos. I loved your candy makin’ video last night. Makin’ candy takes leap of faith. I think it is the most difficult thing to do in the kitchen. Did y’all get that squall line of thunderstorms early this morning? We did around 1:20AM. It came barreling thru like a freight train. BAM! When you live in a trailer you know when the wind and rain is gusting 60MPH. But it was over pretty quick. When it gets daylight I’ll go see if any trees are down. I’m keeping everyone here, on youtube and up Wilson Hollow in my prayers. I love Y’all.
Barbara you are very kind. Thank you! We did have a fierce wind with that line. But it didn’t last long here either 🙂
Barbara and Tipper, believe it or not I sleep through it when it came through here. I think I do faintly remembering hearing some wind. Usually after 1:30-2 o’clock I take shots naps. I live in a double wide trailer. I do know there were warnings out for my neck of the woods.
Thanks so much for the update on Granny. My Mom made a stocking for everyone in our family, too. They are knitted and have Santa on the front and Christmas ornaments on the back. Santa’s beard is made from angora and is fuzzy and soft. They are a real treasure to us, too. Much love to y’all and Merry Christmas!♥️
Granny is the crochet queen & I know all her work is appreciated by each family member. I’m so glad she taught Corie & Katie how to crochet. Perhaps the stocking tradition will be carried on for years & years to come.
Praying for Granny!!!
I am glad Granny was able to make the newest family member a stocking. These stockings will become cherished keepsakes. I am sorry she had a bad week and continue to pray for her. A few days before Thanksgiving, I visited my wife’s 91 year old aunt. They were more of her family members there, one was her 6 month old great, great granddaughter that was sitting in her lap. On Monday after Thanksgiving she fell and broke one of her legs in three places. She had some bad complications when recovering from the surgery and is now in a nursing home and not doing very well. I have known this lady, my entire life, she has been a grandmother figure to both my wife and me for many years. Her son, Kenny, is my best friend and someone I have “leaned on” many times after my wife’s death. The family is having a hard time, please pray for her and her family.
I’m so sorry Randy. I will pray for her and her family.
Randy, we will add her to our prayer list. I’m sorry this happened to her. Lifting you all in prayer. It’s especially difficult during the holidays to have someone sick, or cross over and go home, during the holidays. May the Lord bless you all!