Timeless Tradition Continues at Biltmore’s Employee Christmas Party

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Although Christmas at Biltmore is our busiest season of the year, for one special night each November, Biltmore employees and their families gather to enjoy their own special Christmas evening amidst the twinkling lights and beautiful decorations adorning Biltmore House.

The impressive décor is admired by all, but the child inside many of us would likely wonder, “What good is a 35-foot Christmas tree without equally grand amounts of gifts?”

A family enjoys Christmas at BiltmoreHow our tradition began

When George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore House to his family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895, guests were greeted in the Banquet Hall by a splendidly tall tree laden with gifts for estate workers. Although the wrapped packages under today's Banquet Hall tree are decorative rather than full of surprises, that doesn’t mean Biltmore has ended the Vanderbilt gift-giving tradition. During our staff Christmas party, all children 11 and younger receive a present chosen especially for their age range.

Children looking up at Biltmore Christmas decorationsThe celebration continues

Archival information from 1898 shows that Edith Vanderbilt quickly assumed an active role in estate Christmas preparations as soon as she and George returned from their honeymoon in October of that year. She began making lists of all employees' children, their ages, and choosing special gifts for each of them—more than 100 children in all!

Today, Michaela Schmidlin, Entertainment and Event Programming Manager, oversees the process of choosing appropriate gifts for each age range. The toys are timeless, often requiring creativity rather than batteries to operate, and preference is given to North Carolina manufacturers.

“It’s really neat to me that this tradition has remained year after year. We’ve modernized it a little with Excel spreadsheets and such, but otherwise, it hasn't changed that much. We give more than 300 gifts each year, and though they are more contemporary than the presents children would have received in the early 1900s, they always reflect the Vanderbilt spirit of warmth and generosity,” Michaela said.

Biltmore employee Christmas party, 1916“A Vanderbilt Christmas”

Each year, the estate is decorated according to a special theme that celebrates George Vanderbilt's love of the holiday season.

“Not only did Mr. Vanderbilt provide very generous Christmas bonuses to employees, but can you imagine what this party meant to employees' children and families? Some people came from as far away as the Tennessee state line, and that was quite a trip—especially in horse and wagon days,” said Michaela.

This delightful tradition is just one of the ways Biltmore honors Mr. Vanderbilt’s legacy today, and we are delighted to keep history alive each year at the annual Christmas party.

Images
— Featured image: A Biltmore family enjoys the annual staff Christmas party
— First image: A family admires the Banquet Hall Christmas tree
— Second image: Children of all ages enjoy Christmas at Biltmore
— Third image: Biltmore employee Christmas party held at Antler Hall in 1916 (Edith Vanderbilt is right of center in a black hat; Cornelia Vanderbilt is on her left in a light-colored hat)  

Behind Biltmore Poinsettias

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The Winter Garden is known as one of Biltmore’s premier displays of holiday greenery during Christmas at Biltmore. Throughout the years, this room has hosted countless musicians, carolers, and even ballerinas during the holidays, all surrounded by the beauty of red, pink, and white poinsettias. In fact, nearly 100 poinsettias adorn this room alone, with grand total of 1,200 poinsettias decorating the estate through the season.

Poinsettias grown on Biltmore Estate

From November 7 through January 11, the poinsettias are strategically placed, rotated, and replaced to provide the best color. However, many guests are surprised to find out just how complex these hearty plants are–and that for about half of these plants, their journey on the estate begins much earlier.

“Each February, my crew and I decide what poinsettias we would like to have for the next year's displays,” says Conservatory Gardener Jordana Chalnick. “Last year we had a red poinsettia with white splotches for the front display; this year we will use a pink variegated poinsettia.” Once the varietals are determined, the poinsettias are grown from rooted cuttings inside Biltmore production greenhouses starting in July.

What makes these plants unique is that they are a short-day photoperiod crop, meaning they naturally flower when the nights become longer than the days. Some varieties need to be covered with a black cloth, sheltering them from all light, to force them to bloom at the desired time. 

Biltmore employees in poinsettia greenhouse

Jordana explains that timing is key. “We grow two crops of poinsettias for two target dates: November 2 and December 1. A shorter finish week means the plant will color earlier. This would be a variety we select for early November. A longer finish week means it will color later, and these are the varieties we select for December 1.  Development is monitored to determine if we will need to cover them and if so, the plants are covered in the evening with a black cloth beginning in September for five to six weeks,” she says.

Although Biltmore does not have the space or staff to grow all of the poinsettias used during the holidays, the remaining plants come from two growers in North Carolina. From propagating the poinsettia cuttings, to monitoring their light exposure, to placing and replacing each plant around the estate, our horticulture team does an excellent job year after year–just one of their many jobs during Christmas at Biltmore!

 

 

Our Christmas tree-toppers top them all!

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When George Vanderbilt’s grandson inherited Biltmore House in 1960, the immense home had been open to the public for three decades. Each year, Biltmore House was closed December–March because there were so few visitors during the winter.

A successful experiment

After repeated requests from guests to see his family home decked for the holidays, William A.V. Cecil decided to keep Biltmore open and see what happened. What began as a modest experiment with a few decorated trees has grown enormously through the years to become Biltmore’s grandest season. The estate now welcomes approximately 250,000 visitors each year during this time period!

The showpiece of Christmas at Biltmore is always the 35-foot fresh Fraser Fir tree that adorns the Banquet Hall. Once lighted and decorated, the big tree—grown especially for Biltmore at a family farm in Avery County—becomes a memorable part of the guest experience.

Grand tree-toppers

Adorning the top of such a grand tree, there must be an equally grand tree-topper. Each year, Biltmore’s floral team envisions and then creates a tree-topper in keeping with the Christmas theme, the size of the tree, and the immense scale of the Banquet Hall.

“If we used an ordinary tree-topper,” said Cathy Barnhardt, Biltmore’s Floral Displays Manager, “it would be completely lost in that enormous space!”

Each member of the Floral team is responsible for the design and execution of the decorative them in several areas in Biltmore House—usually one of the elegant rooms on the First Floor, plus another section on upper or lower floors—and the team member assigned to the Banquet Hall has a big job ahead of her!

In 2011, Floral Designer Susan Partain created a beautiful Renaissance-style angel to top the big tree. From her fluttering wings to the rich fabric layers of her robe, Susan’s angel looked delicate, but had to be sturdy enough to survive a ride on the swaying tip of the tree as it was raised into position in the Banquet Hall. The angel passed the test with “flying colors!”

Two years later, Simone Bush, Biltmore Floral Designer and Wedding Consultant, drew on the idea of families coming together at the holidays, and the wonderful, whimsical ways in which their joy might be expressed, to create a charming, light-hearted tree-topper beribboned like a jester’s staff, delighting everyone who saw it atop the towering tree.

A new creation

For 2014, the theme is a A Vanderbilt Christmas. According to Cathy, “This year’s tree topper is a three-dimensional gilded globe star that is about three feet tall. It reflects a traditional vintage theme with glitter, tinsel, and beading.”

Be sure to look for the tree-topper as we raise the Banquet Hall tree on Wednesday, November 5, on your next visit during Christmas at Biltmore or Candlelight Christmas Evenings!

Fall Florals Highlight Pretty Print

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Consider a favorite piece of artwork in your home or office as a source of inspiration for a floral arrangement that captures the glorious tones of fall. We've chosen a print entitled “A Coup D'Oiel,”custom framed in our Olmsted Collection and taken from one of the George Vanderbilt’s beloved books in his Library.

The warm sepia tones of the print blend with most décor, and our Floral team has created a stunning tribute that draws the eye, just as the print’s title suggests!

Materials
Decorative container
Floral oasis foam
Blue Hydrangea
Safari Sunset Asiatic Lilies
Solidago
Corkscrew Willow
Italian Ruscus

Instructions
For this fresh fall arrangement, begin by placing dampened floral oasis foam in the decorative tin container. The foam should fill the space, but not be visible over the top of the container. Add enough hydrangeas to cover the floral foam and provide a lush, mounded layer of subtle color and texture. Add taller elements such as solidago and curly willow toward the back to give the arrangement a bit of height. Fill in with lilies as focal points. Allow greenery elements like the ruscus to trail naturally over the sides of the container.

Floral arrangement shown in our Biltmore-inspired tin container.

5 fabulous ways to make your party kid-friendly

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Planning a party doesn’t have to be hard work—keeping the menu and décor simple means that you have more time to enjoy your friends and family. Here are five simple suggestions for making a party just as special for your smallest guests as it is for the grown-ups:

1. Create a separate table/space. Our Scalloped Side Table is an elegant piece for any space in your home. On party day, let it do double-duty as a stylish table just for kids. They love having their “own” place that’s set-up and sized just for them, and our Scalloped Side Table provides a sturdy, kid-friendly surface to hold drinks and snacks for little ones. 

2. Add some height! We’ve chosen our Beaded 2-Tiered Stand to display an array of colorful snacks. Colorful cupcake liners in the general party tones (they don’t have to match exactly for a kids’ table) make perfect snack-size containers for pretzels, cheese crackers, small chocolates, fruit, and other favorites.

3. No Spills. We went the route of all-natural juice boxes because you don’t have to worry about spills, cups, ice, etc. We’ve used our decorative tin container lined with bright fabric napkins as a grab-and-go display for the drinks (pictured above). Don’t forget napkins—we’ve tucked some colorful paper ones into the back of the container.

4. Homemade. Keeping it simple doesn't mean you can't make it yourself. Having one or two homemade items on the kids’ table is a special touch that parents will appreciate! Try whipping up a batch of our Brown Sugar Nut Granola Bars to serve on our Beaded Monogramed Tray.

 

 

 

5. Easy fruit dip. Add our Southern Raspberry Drink Mix to whipped topping and voilà! a delicious addition to the snack table that kids (and adults) will love. Add some toothpicks with shimmery tips near the fruit for easy dipping, and if you’re feeling extra creative, arrange some of the fruit on top of the dip in a kid-friendly smiley face. Pair the dip with a pitcher of refreshing Southern Raspberry Tea that young and old will enjoy, as well.

Remember, keep it simple with creative touches that will make the kids at your party feel special.

7 Simple Ways To Prep Your Party!

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From formal dances and masquerade balls to light-hearted garden parties on the lawn, celebrations at Biltmore House were always held in style.

Ready to host your own elegant soiree or homespun hoe-down? Here are our top picks to make your party preparations easier and your event memorable:

1. Choose a theme
The easiest way to kick-off your party prep is to choose a theme. Be inspired by the life and times of Cornelia Vanderbilt who grew up in the Jazz Age and consider a 1920s era Gatsby Party or a Downton Abbey-style garden party or festive tea.

2. Color palette
Just as brides select wedding colors to help keep things coordinated and under control, a pair of pretty colors will make some of your choices easier. For example, we love the fresh look of green and yellow together for a summer-themed party.

3. Party favors
Get creative! Add a meaningful quote to a print you love and roll it up gently, like a scroll, and tie with a pretty ribbon. Your guests can frame them for display in their home or office as a reminder of a wonderful gathering with friends and family.

4. Make it memorable
Offer one or two truly distinctive elements that get people excited and keep them talking about your party. Ideas include renting a Photo Booth to preserve all those fun faces or providing old-fashioned lawn games to fire up a competitive spirit.

5. Do it differently
Use your garden statuary as a stunning centerpiece or use your birdbath as a temporary wine chiller. Our Hospitality Pineapple is the age-old symbol of hospitality and our Ramp Douce Tortoise is inspired by the stone turtles at the terraced stairway at Biltmore. 

6. Take it outside
Make a statement by moving some of your favorite furniture pieces outside, like we've done with our Beverage Cart. It will really change the “landscape” of your yard or garden and surprise your guests. Also, don’t limit yourself to paper and plastic just because you’re in the yard—enjoy your pretty serveware outside, too. 

7. Simple & Personal
To keep the party prep simple while still adding your personal touch, consider easy additions to something you pick up ready-made—like fresh fruit for the sorbet or crushed candy bars as an ice cream topping.

Here’s a summer party idea we love: turn plain iced tea into a refreshing Southern Raspberry Iced Tea!

Get the recipe here. 

Click here to discover more Biltmore For Your Home products.

 

Here's to a great party!

Every wedding is personal for Inn’s floral designers

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We’ve been talking a lot about weddings lately. Mostly those that have happened in the distant past. Today we talk a bit about weddings that happen at Biltmore in the present tense.

Did you know that this year alone, more than 200 weddings are scheduled for venues across Biltmore? Jodee Mitchell, Floral Designer at the Inn, and her team will have their hands in some of those events.

“It’s so personal to us. We put a lot of emotion into it and want everything to be perfect. Many of the brides have been thinking about their perfect wedding since they were little girls, so it’s a huge, important day,” said Jodee.

By the time a large wedding takes place, Jodee and her team have been in touch regularly with the bride for months. The process usually begins with booking the venue, often a year out. Fall weddings are especially popular and venues book up fast for this gorgeous season.

Floral Designer Jill Rutherford said the initial meeting with the bride, and often her mother, is the most important. “We talk about décor, look at the venue, nail down the date, get a feel for budget, and listen to the bride’s ideas. We also offer our own ideas, things we know will suit the selected venue.”

A flurry of emails are traded after that first meeting; the team offers more ideas and sends photos. Many brides create Pinterest boards to exchange ideas. After the details are ironed out, the team and the bride hold a final meeting where the team presents a mock set-up.

Today’s décor is decidedly different from even a decade ago. Jill says many brides want more than flowers.

“We often create display pieces, use fabric draping, and order signage and rental furniture,” she said. “We’ve even decorated a candy table for the reception! And theme weddings are very popular now.  We always suggest that the bride selects a look that matches the venue to let it shine.”

Most of the actual set-up for both large and small weddings happens within a week.  Some of the preparation can include setting up frame systems to accommodate hanging items, creating arbors, putting the floral arrangements together, and painting things as needed. Jodee credits Biltmore’s engineering team for their professional and fast help. Everything that’s built must also be taken down, and she and her team do that too.

“When we are at the actual wedding and see the bride we feel so proud of the work we’ve done to make their day exactly what they wanted and really magical. We take pride into our work.  The whole team is equally excited about making each wedding look spectacular,” Jodee said.

Bringing Spring Ahead Of Schedule

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Sometimes in the midst of winter—with a little help from our Conservatory—spring arrives a bit ahead of schedule.

“Gardeners have been forcing blooms for centuries,” said Parker Andes, Director of Horticulture, “and the practice became especially popular in the 19th century. As many wealthy Victorians added conservatories to their homes, they could enjoy the look and the scent of delicate bulbs even in the coldest months of winter.”

According to our archives, in February 1908, Chauncey Beadle, Biltmore’s Garden Superintendent, wrote to Storrs & Harrison Nursery of Ohio ordering fruit stock of cherries and apricots “for placing in tubs in preparation for forcing later on in the greenhouse.” This effort would have enabled the Vanderbilts and house guests to enjoy a hint of spring before it actually came.

The Conservatory is Parker’s favorite garden in the winter, and she enjoys the beauty and the cozy warmth it provides to complement the year-round lush greenery and tropical foliage of palms, ferns, and other warm climate exotics.

“Along with the orchids and other beautiful plants in the Conservatory this time of year, we add containers of spring bulbs that have been forced to bloom. Look for containers of daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips during this period,” Parker said. “We’ll rotate them every couple of weeks until mid-April.”

Branching Out For Spring


For a more informal look, consider forcing flowering spring branches—here are some easy tips to help you “branch out” on your schedule rather than waiting for Mother Nature to do it for you!

For a springscape arrangement, choose early bloomers like crabapple, forsythia, and spiraea branches for forcing. Just remember that the forcing process can take anywhere from one to eight weeks, so the closer branches are cut to their natural blooming time, the quicker they will bloom. With a little extra effort and planning, you’ll have all the beautiful blooms you need to brighten any room or make any occasion more special.

Items Needed
Sharp cutting/pruning shears
Access to flowering shrubs
A warm, humid space (bathroom, kitchen, sunroom, etc.)
5-gallon bucket or other large container
Spray bottle
Decorative Biltmore tin planter or container

Directions
Gather branches on a day when temperatures are above freezing, or on a warm, rainy day.

Cut branches 1–3 feet long on a slant with sharp shears. Always keep the shape of the tree or shrub in mind as you are pruning.

Immediately place twigs in a bucket with tepid water (remove all buds from the part of the stem that will be under water) and keep in warm, humid room.

Re-cut the stems and change the water every few days. Spray stems with water if humidity in room is low.

Tips:
The easiest branches to force are those that are early season bloomers: Almond, Apple, Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, Crabapple, Daphne, Forsythia, Pear, Plum Pussywillow, Quince, Spiraea, Winter Honeysuckle, Winter Jasmine, Wisteria, Witch Hazel

Branches bearing larger flowers like Deciduous Magnolias, Dogwood, Japanese Maple, and Mock Orange should be left on the shrub until their buds are large and well-developed. 

Organizing In Style

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The old saying “a place for everything and everything in its place” is a good motto to keep in mind whether you’re organizing your entire home or specific rooms. Items like books and magazines need to be handy, but they can pile up over time. Keep them collected in one of our pretty tin containers and you’ll always know where to find that article you wanted to read.

Here are some other great ideas for organizing other items that need to stay contained in a specific space:

• Roll up hand towels and keep them in a small tin container in your powder room. They take up less space and yet remain easily accessible for guests. Also works well for towels and wash cloths in your guest bath.
• Place a tin container on the stairs (close to the rail) for each member of your family. Small, loose items can be dropped there to be put away later.
• Choose a taller, narrow container to keep utensils together by the kitchen sink

Our decorative tins are available in so many sizes and shapes that you can easily organize almost anything. The collection was inspired by the design elements and patterns found throughout Biltmore House and across the estate. The containers offer a vintage feel that pairs well with any décor.

Tip: Containers are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are perfect for table-top arrangements and container plantings.

Shop our collection of tin container online here. 

Pillowed In Comfort

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George and Edith Vanderbilt welcomed all their guests with warmth and hospitality, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. From the moment friends and family arrived at Biltmore, everything was done to make their stay at America’s largest home comfortable. 

With more than 30 bedrooms in Biltmore House, making beds and fluffing pillows could have kept the entire staff busy during extended visits and house parties!

While today’s homes have fewer rooms to manage, a good night’s sleep is still a priority for most of us. For expert advice on choosing pillows that suit your needs, we turned to Nicki Cloud, Assistant Product Manager in Sheets, Bath & Utility Bedding for Belk.

“The most important aspect of selecting a pillow with the correct amount of fill is the position in which you start your night’s sleep. For those who sleep on their side, more fill is better.  For those who sleep on their stomach or back, less fill is better,” Nicki explained. “The right style of pillow is beneficial in attaining healthy and comfortable rest.”

“We’re also seeing a trend in down prices continuing to rise due to an extreme shortage of this natural material,” said Nicki. “But technology has come a long way, and down alternative options feel closer to down than they ever have before. Between technology and pricing, this is the perfect time to give down alternatives another try.”

For ease and comfort, Nicki recommends the following collections of pillows—inspired by the legacy of luxury at Biltmore—and available at Belk:

Artisan Collection


This collection features Serene fiberfill which truly replicates the feel of down. The innovative fiber mimics the compression of down, but unlike down, does not require fluffing. It is also hypoallergenic and machine washable, making it a perfect solution for down lovers that have allergy concerns.

Artisan 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full pillow that looks as lavish as it feels. Because of the way this fiber responds, this pillow is a great choice for all sleeping positions.

“Try combining our Artisan Gusset Pillow with our Artisan Comforter,” Nicki said. “This 100% cotton covered comforter is a perfect choice for your day-in and day-out use. Providing year-round comfort, you’ll rest comfortably with the perfect amount of warmth, and that cozy down feeling.”

Click here to shop our Artisan Comforter.

Memorelle Collection


“Our Memorelle Collection features Memorelle fiberfill which consists of loose fibers blown into the pillow. Memorelle has an especially fast rebound, so once you rest your head on the pillow, the fiber returns to position to offer you support where you need it, while taking it easy on pressure points. Best of all,” Nicki added “is the fact that Memorelle is machine washable.”

There are four pillows in this collection:

• Memorelle Damask Scroll Classic Shape Pillow–A beautiful jacquard scroll makes this pillow a perfect fit for any luxury bed ensemble. A classic shape appeals to the largest number of people.

• Memorelle Infinity Gusset Pillow–Perfect for side sleepers, this pillow has a specially designed gusset that allows room for your shoulder to rest comfortably while offering plenty of support for your head.

• Memorelle 2-inch Gusset Pillow–A deluxe 2-inch wide gusset offers a plush, full, pillow that makes a great choice for side or back sleepers.


• Memorelle Teardrop Pillow—The most versatile pillow for any sleep position. One side of the teardrop shape offers plenty of support for back or side sleepers, while stomach sleepers will appreciate the other side. It’s a winning solution for a guest bedroom or for those who change positions throughout the night.
 

Click here to shop our pillows.

Pillow Care Tips

Pillow protectors and pillowcases are a great way to extend the life of a pillow; however, pillows should still be cleaned on a regular basis. For ease of care, look for machine-washable pillows and be sure to follow the care instructions on the label. Ensure to dry pillows completely to prevent mold from forming.