Holidays

Behind the Kitchen Door

For the holiday host, an unflappable attitude goes a long way. The guests were due in minutes. I’d pulled a whole beef tenderloin from the oven, sliced it, and arranged it on a platter before running upstairs to zip into a dress for the Christmas formal. My college housemates and […]

by Constance Costas

Eggnog Eccentricities

While some are content with a carton or two of Richfood or Lucerne eggnog, many Virginians have secret family recipes. fpx23600 It’s rich and creamy and can’t be beat for washing down ham biscuits and frosted cookies or just taking the edge off the inevitable yuletide stress. From its commanding spot […]

by hubbard valerie

(More) Holiday Sides

These Thanksgiving side dishes wonderfully double for any festive celebration. Chef Harper, Harper’s table, Suffolk, Sweet potatoes Walter Bundy Shagbark, Richmond For Walter Bundy, Thanksgiving at his grandparents’ summer home on the Piankatank River was always filled with extended family, and kids everywhere. But the gathering, which continues to this day, […]

by Staff

Holiday Sides

These Thanksgiving sides easily double for any holiday get-together. Chef Tyler Thomas, River and rail, Va Oyster and Cornbread dressing Tyler Thomas The River and Rail Restaurant, Roanoke Chef Tyler Thomas, River and rail, Va Oyster and Cornbread dressing Every chef dreams of a day off, and for […]

by Staff

12 Wreaths of Christmas

Master florist Agnes Stillfried finds inspiration in nature. (Photo by Adam Ewing) An unpaved drive winds between the fenced fields of Travelers Rest Farm. With horses to the left and a gaggle of geese on the right, the approach feels timeless. Behind the main house and a guest house (where George Washington […]

by Konstantin Rega

Local Cheer

Some must-visit Christmas celebrations around the state. From iconic markets like Richmond’s Bizarre Bazaar to fledgling events like Middletown’s Kris Kringle Market at Belle Grove, Virginia plays host to a bevy of holiday artist hubs teeming with locally made goods. You’ll find baked treats and jewelry from more than 60 vendors at […]

by Staff

Beyond Jelly Beans

Easter egg hunts grow up. Shutterstock Bottle of red wine and tulip flowers in gift basket for Women’s day and month, Mother’s Day, birthday Easter egg hunts aren’t just for children. Many breweries, cideries, and wineries around the state will celebrate the holiday with grownup egg hunts featuring prizes for the over-21 […]

by Vayda Parrish

Never More Merry

Virginia’s earliest Christmas celebrations. (Illustration by Robert Meganck) The first Virginia Christmas found the Jamestown adventurers far from home and far from merry. Although it was spring when the three English ships landed in the New World, the men had so neglected the fundamentals of survival in their rush for gold and […]

by miley theobald mary

Magnificent Magnolia

Decorating the house with fresh greenery is a holiday tradition—and, with its big, glossy leaves, this Southern belle rules the season. (Photography by Patricia Lyons) When I was a docent at the Valentine Museum in Richmond, I had some visitors from up north walk out into the courtyard and ask, “Is that a […]

by brown steers paula

Christmas Decorating

This historic mansion is decked out for Christmases present and future. Robert Radifera Photography Homeowners and empty nesters Donna and Garon Stutzman made a seemingly improbable leap when they traded a Chesapeake Bay waterfront farm in Maryland for the historic Old Denton estate in prime Orange County hunt country, in the heart of […]

by Charlotte Safavi

A Sweethaven Country Christmas

Northern Virginia author Heidi Speece takes a tour of a secret sweet spot. Nestled on the outskirts of Williamsburg lies a hidden treasure—the beautiful, 135-acre Sweethaven Lavender Farm. This past weekend, visitors could travel back to a simpler time at the farm’s annual Country Christmas. Complete with hayrides, holiday goodies, and local […]

by Heidi Speece

Christmas Wrapping

Interior designer Pamela Harvey mixes memories with modern updates in her home. (Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg) When Pamela Harvey decorates her home for Christmas, she leaves no room untouched. This year, the interior designer, who divides her time between Northern Virginia and St. Petersburg, Florida, trimmed her red-brick colonial in a […]

by Staff

A Gardener’s Guide to Holiday Greens

Simple ways to bring the festive bounty inside. (All photos by Adam Ewing) It happens every year. We get big, crafty ideas about homemade wreaths and fresh-cut garlands gracing mantels and winding up staircases, just like the pictures in decorating magazines. But when the pine boughs zag where they should zig, […]

by Madeline Mayhood

The Gifting Muse

Museum shops yield inspired holiday gifts. If you prefer your shopping with a side-order of art and history, museum gifts shops around the state yield some great giftable home-decor finds. From local art to tableware to historic reproductions, we’ve scoured Virginia’s museums and historic sites to bring you a few of our […]

by Staff

Photo Essay: Lights and Laughs

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens delivers beauty and wonder. Online Exclusive: A surprisingly pleasant evening, the stroll around Lewis Ginter’s gardens strung with lights was stylish and breathtaking. As expected, the design and color palette of the lights was tasteful and fun (for all ages). As […]

by Konstantin Rega

Craving Cranberries

Add a splash of color and a zing of flavor with cranberries.

by Staff

Here We Come A-Wassailing

An Anglo-Saxon tradition approximately 1,500 years old, and an early ancestor to eggnog and other end-of-the-year holiday drinks, wassail is also one of the oldest American holiday beverages. The mulled cider or wine beverage is served warm and often

by Staff

The Tasteful Gift

Let your imagination take flight with inspired ideas for presenting homemade cookies and treats, the most timeless of gifts.

by Staff

Wrap Star

As a kid, the author’s wrapping skills were notoriously horrible, especially compared with his three sisters’.

by Stuart M. Perkins

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Events

July 1, 2025

Make AI Work for You

North County Governmental Center

July 1, 2025

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Carlyle House Historic Park

July 1, 2025

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

Virginia Repertory Theatre

The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

Eight Virginia schools received the National Blue Ribbon 2024 award for their high performances. The Exemplary High Performing Schools are Spring Hill Elementary in McLean, Green Run Collegiate in Virginia Beach, Bethel Manor Elementary in Hampton, and St. Andrew the Apostle School in Clifton. The Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools are Central Academy Middle […]

by Gabriela de Camargo Gonçalves

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities. UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. […]

by Madeline Mayhood

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park offers breathtaking views, scenic trails, and diverse wildlife—the perfect prescription for nature lovers. Some spots to add to your itinerary include: This article originally appeared in the Best of Virginia 2025 issue.

by Stacy Watkins

Holidays

Behind the Kitchen Door

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Events

Make AI Work for You

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

Holidays

Behind the Kitchen Door

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Events

Make AI Work for You

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace

Waitress at Virginia Repertory Theatre

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The U.S. DOE Labeled These Virginia Schools Outstanding

UVA Claims Top Spots Among Public Universities

Can’t-Miss Spots in Shenandoah National Park

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weekly newsletter: VL Today

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