Lowcountry Christmas: Style, Design and Traditions That Make This Region Special

Marshes, palmetto fronds and that infamous Spanish moss. Like its many waterways, the Lowcountry is a confluence of cultures, history and design. It’s a mix you won’t find anywhere else and a holiday season that is distinctly different, from decorated pineapples to roasted oysters. And where is the Lowcountry? Depends on which side of the Savannah River is your favorite and how generous you feel. The most literal definition of the Lowcountry is the four southern-and-eastern-most counties in South Carolina with actual lowlands. But Lowcountry is also a moniker for cultural and geographic similarities, which includes South Carolina’s barrier islands to the east and even Charleston to the north. And the most modern definition includes Georgia’s coast – yes, even inland Savannah – as well as Georgia’s barrier islands. This larger Lowcountry region shares Indigenous American Indian origins (especially the Cusabo and Guale tribes) as well as Gullah and Geechee roots from enslaved Africans, a landscape with signature foliage and a vernacular that makes this part of the country worth a visit any time of year. But at Christmas, it’s downright magic.

Architecture in the Lowcountry runs the gamut, from tin-roofed Gullah homes to some of the earliest examples of Federal style. In sister cities Savannah and Charleston, there’s a Victorian revival of just about every design in town as seen in the pre-Civil War era mansions and townhomes built by enslaved people. There’s Greek. Gothic. Italiante. And so much preserved Queen Anne design. With such intricate, lace-inspired woodwork and so much stunning wrought iron craft, most of these homes don’t need much decoration for the holidays. You’ll often see a simple garland made with fresh greenery and a wreath or two with a bow. Anything more would diminish the beauty.

With so much history and so many eras, there’s an irregular, complex array of construction styles in the Lowcountry. Toward the beaches and on the Sea Islands, you’ll mostly find stilted homes and bungalows for modern weather safety. But in the cities, it’s design chaos. There’s original cobblestone that runs into brick that skirts past marble that was built on top of more brick that abuts granite that sits next to aged bronze where wrought iron used to be. And a hallmark of Lowcountry style is a brackish clear definition of inside and out. Porches often have more square footage than bedrooms. And materials that most would consider “outside toys” find a very merry home inside, such as these garden statues turned kitchen countertop decor. The Lowcountry loves a wistful, stone statue. After all, Bonaventure Cemetary is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region and even during the holidays, there are guided tours.

Long-bladed sweetgrass. Palmetto leaves. Bright pink azaleas bursting through black wrought iron gates. Flowers and foliage decorate the Lowcountry inside and out. But the Southern magnolia is definitively the PSL of the Lowcountry. These sturdy trees have beautiful, resilient flowers, but the leaves are what you find everywhere in decor, from garlands to wreaths. It's because they last so long. A fresh magolia wreath will last three months if displayed inside. And a dried magnolia wreath — if displayed indoors — can last half a decade. Yes, really. If you don't touch it and keep it out of direct sunlight, these wreaths will last for years. The signature, earthy two-toned leaves create a more grounding palette than traditional evergreen. And by displaying both sides of the magnolia leaves, you get an incredibly dynamic wreath.

Another note on decorating Lowcountry style: Don’t touch the Spanish moss. Yes, it’s beautiful, as seen here at Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah. And, yes, right now TikTok and Instagram are obsessed with all kinds of weepy, bushy foliage for holiday garlands. But Southern live oak trees are beloved here. And you don’t mess with the moss. Harvesting this pineapple cousin (It’s not a moss at all!) is a major faux pas. It’s not illegal. And contrary to what many, many locals will tell you, it doesn’t contain an infestation of chiggers. But it’s such a vital part of the ecosystem and can take years to fully grow. So if you love the look, just order some faux Spanish moss.

No centerpiece needed when you set the table for a Lowcountry boil. This signature dish is the centerpiece as well as the rest of the table! Typically, a Lowcountry boil, which includes the delicious trio of corn, potatoes and shrimp all drenched in butter, is served/dumped right down the table on top of newspaper or craft paper. That's not to say this food is fast or casual. It's fine dining in the South. But the simplicity and humble origins of the Lowcountry boil force you not to take yourself so seriously and check your privilege. Unlike other meat that would have been inaccessible for some, the coastal towns and islands, historically, gave more people access to seafood. And today, shrimp and oysters are much more common at a Christmas dinner in the Lowcountry. Many community oyster roasts also happen in December close to the holidays.

The Lowcountry has a bevy of colorful homes, from Charleston's Rainbow Row to The Olde Pink House in Savannah. But the most important color in Lowcountry design history is blue. Indigo was introduced to the region before the Civil War and many enslaved Africans had access to the crop. Indigo-dyed fabric, especially quilts, became popular and to this day blue appears in so much Gullah and Geechee designs such as this cottage on Daufuskie Island. Haint blue, a pale blue with a tinge of green, is also from Gullah culture. Painting the ceiling of your porch haint blue or painting the exterior with any blue paint you had access to was thought to ward off evil spirits. The symbolism and beliefs came from enslaved people from Western and Central Africa and Gullah communities still honor these blues today, from preserved architecture to modern Christmas decor such as Michiel Perry's indigo wreaths.

The bottle tree is another example of the significance of blue in Gullah culture. But full stop: Bottle trees are not Christmas trees. These distinct cobalt trees are metaphorical evergreens deeply rooted in African heritage and shouldn’t be appropriated. “Blue is a treasured color in our culture,” said Omolola “Lola” Campbell, founder and owner of Binya on Hilton Head Island. “The bottle tree came from the Congo, brought over by our ancestors who would’ve come from that area in Africa,” she said. “The Gullah people came from a lot of different African nations, but that specific tradition came from the Congo. And usually, it should be blue bottles. People may have their own creative take, but the significance and the belief is that those blue bottles would catch the evil spirits and you needed to have those in your front yard or on your front porch. Or if there was a tree that had branches that could hold bottles, you could put them on that. Or they’re lined up in front of your home.”

Campbell, a sixth-generation islander and descendant of an enslaved man named Walla brought to the island, opened Binya in 2022 on land that’s been in her family for five of those six generations. “The son of the slave, Phillip Campbell, was able to buy property,” she said. “He bought all of this property in Spanish Wells and it went to his sons and on down the line and it’s still in our family. I can look out the window of the store and look across the street and see where my dad was actually born and where my great-grandfather built his home. It’s where the store’s supposed to be. I love where I am and the meaning of it – the legacy I’m building here.”

A large bottle tree stands proudly in front of the store. A friend and local iron artist made it in honor of her father who died unexpectedly in 2020. “It’s not going anywhere,” she said.

“Binya was born out of a necessity for [Gullah representation] and a way for me to preserve the culture in my own native style,” said Campbell. The store is a curated collection of Lowcountry decor, accessories from Campbell’s own brand Gone Gullah as well as items from local Gullah makers, authors and artists such as Amiri Farris from Bluffton. And there are several sweetgrass sewers featured, from sweetgrass baskets made by Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson of Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets (There are also ornaments made by Cayetano-Jefferson’s son.) to necklaces with sweetgrass medallions by Rose Willis of Bluffton.

“That art form came from Ghana,” said Campbell. “When Africans came here as slaves, they continued to make those baskets because they needed them to do their everyday work. But now, we realize that – wow – it is an art form. There are many different uses for [sweetgrass baskets] today. Some people use them for bread service. Others display them on the wall as decor.”

“You definitely should buy [a sweetgrass basket] even if you’re not a Gullah person,” said Campbell. “Especially if it’s coming from an authentic Gullah sweetgrass basket maker because that is a direct way to support the Gullah community and preserve the culture. The sweetgrass baskets themselves should be made by a Gullah person. I sell those in my store and they’re made by a sixth-generation basket sewer from Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is right outside of Charleston. Most of the sweetgrass sewers that remain are in the Charleston area.”

Binya sells several Christmas items, from hand-painted shell ornaments to this Gullah Chris’mus candle. But Campbell notes that Gullah Christmas is much more than decorating.

“The traditional Gullah Christmas decor would have come from things that were handy because that’s part of the culture itself, especially being here,” she said. “Most of the Gullah culture comes from these isolated Sea Islands where you really had to do your best with what you had so more of our traditions are about what we do and not really the way we decorate it.”

“Christmas was a celebration by the entire community,” she added. “It’s when storytelling would happen, some true some tales. It’s when people visited each other’s homes and laid out their best meats, baked goods and spirits to share. That tradition still happens today. Walkers walk from house to house to get their ‘Christmas.’ The celebration of Christmas is not just for a holiday, but for family, faith and love.”

Campbell also sells local artisan snacks, such as candied pecans from Juke Joint Sweets. If you win HGTV Dream Home 2025, which is on historically Gullah land in Bluffton, South Carolina, you can shop the pecans in person at Bluffton's Root and Bloom Market at Martin Family Park as well as the Bluffton Night Bazaar. (You can also shop online on their website and even buy in bulk!)

And while pecans, especially pralines, have become a touristy rite of passage when you visit the Lowcountry, they have a deeper significance for many people with Gullah heritage on Hilton Head Island. "We have a lot of pecan trees around here," said Campbell. "So, the pecans were plentiful. But they were a treat. A lot of times that’s how they would pay taxes on the land. Because the trees would bear the nuts around the time to pay taxes. That’s how many of the Gullah families would pay taxes."

Charleston's most-visited attraction features more than 50 resident Gullah artists. Historically, Charleston City Market was where many enslaved people sold plantation crops. Many Gullah artisans at the market now sell sweetwater baskets, a harvesting tool that enslaved Africans used to minnow rice. Through the decades, this incredible craft has been passed down and many people now seek out these designs not for use but for art. Corey Alston of Charleston is a Gullah sweetgrass basketmaker at the market and one of Michiel Perry's favorite artisans in the Lowcountry.

With many, many vendors at the market, it's important to pay attention to sweetgrass basket authenticity and make sure you're supporting a local artist trained in the traditional craft. Charleston City Market has a certified local seal on items and another way to know if a sweetgrass basket is handmade is by checking the bottom of the basket. Lola Campbell said that it's very common for Gullah basket sewers to sign their name on the bottom of the basket and also include the year when the basket was made. Typically, she said this is done in permanent black ink.

Another iconic craft you'll find at the market is handpainted oyster shells such as Katie Griffin's oyster ornaments. "Painting shells is a long-time tradition in the Lowcountry," said Griffin. "I have always thought painted shells were beautiful and a great way to remember your trip to the coast of South Carolina and maybe commemorate your first time eating oysters! My shells are handpainted which makes them even more special because each one is a little original piece of art." Many of Griffin's paintings feature distinct architecture around Charleston, such as gates and doors from Rainbow Row decked out for the holiday season.

"I must note that collecting shells is a fun activity, but you have to be mindful about how many you take from the beaches and waterways," she added. "Shells are a vital part of the coastal ecosystem."

Forsyth Park's famous fountain is one of the most photographed spots in Savannah. And, yes, this 166-year-old stunner is decorated for the holidays. A design riff on French sculptor Michel Lienard's work, the grand fountain is often shot from a distance. And that's a lovely photo, especially with the lamp posts and flanking live oak trees with Spanish moss to frame the fountain. But this writer (a former Savannah resident) implores you to get up close to the fountain. It tells a story of sinister sirens — not mermaids — and mythological references to Triton, the son of Poseidon. The park, which is older than New York City's Central Park and considered one of the earliest examples of American urban park planning, is full of curious notions and novelties such as the Garden of Fragrance. This quiet nook was originally created for blind guests to experience sensory joy outside in nature. And today, it still welcomes visitors.

While Forsyth Park pulls visitors out to the southern end of Savannah's Historic District as well as the Victorian District, the tourist razzle-dazzle is arguably in the North Historic District — especially at Christmas. In this writer's opinion: Skip River Street. If you make a beeline to the river, you'll miss the labyrinth of tiny squares, pocket parks, boutiques and micro museums that unfold like an ever-changing haunted house. Window shopping hits different at Christmas as most shops and restaurants display curated vignettes and Lowcountry style such as this magnolia wreath at Garibaldi Seafood.

It's all about the meander here, especially in the dense grid between Congress Street, Broad Street, Gaston Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The Paris Market is one of our favorite escapes for Francophiles. Lunch, brunch or just a lil sweet treat at Dottie's should be a requirement. And, of course, dinner at The Grey is one of the most authentic ways to experience historically Southern staples and Lowcountry cuisine. We're big fans of The Grey's cookbook, too.

Located on Columbia Square, the Davenport House Museum is one of the most-visited historic homes in Savannah. It's not as ornate as the famous Gingerbread House or as grand as the Hamilton-Turner Inn, but in the early 1800s, this Federal-style home was a big deal. It's one of the city's oldest brick buildings. Today, you can tour the two-and-a-half-story house, curated and preserved around the home's history in the 1820s, and learn about the Davenport family and more than a dozen enslaved people who also lived there.

During the holiday season, the Davenport House Museum features 19th-century-inspired Christmas decor as well as special Yuletide Tours. This guided tour takes a look at the holiday traditions of the era and specific traditions of the Davenports.

The Davenport House Museum gives an idea of what children's Christmas toys looked like more than a century ago, but not every child in the home had a Christmas like this. In addition to the beautiful main rooms, the museum shows all the possible living quarters in the home and tells the stories of the 13 enslaved people who lived in the house during this time. Researchers have been able to identify names for some of the enslaved people as well as piece together their timelines in the home to give a better — more personalized — picture of their lives.

The museum's nighttime Holiday Traditions and Experiences of the Enslaved Community program is an immersive tour that "delves into what Christmas would have been like for the enslaved workers who resided in the home during the 1820s."

Right behind the Davenport House Museum, the Historic Kennedy Pharmacy serves as the museum's shop. But it's not just a bunch of merch. The store focuses on local artisans and small brands, from art and decor to homewares. The venue also hosts special events with local creatives, such as this month's Holiday Cocktails and Mocktails Workshop with Loni Lewis of Bar Black Club, a Savannah cocktails pop-up.

Emeline is in the details. This boutique hotel is far more modern than other traditional (preppy) luxury hotels in Charleston, but there are B-side deep cuts to Southern style peppered throughout such as heirloom china. The Den, a lounge within the hotel's marquee restaurant Frannie & the Fox, has holiday decor that riffs on transferware with Christmas tea cups hanging from garland and curated plates up and down the walls. If you love the Coastal Grandma aesthetic, this is the holiday overlay of your dreams.

And if you want to get the look, you can shop most of the pieces featured throughout The Den. Emeline collaborated with Replacements, Ltd. to curate a collection of red, emerald and deep woodsy brown patterns that mismatch perfectly. We love how sauce boats and tureens are used instead of traditional vases for the table centerpieces.

If you're traveling with a dog, there are few pup packages more impressive than at Emeline. Most chain hotels have some kind of pet policy (typically for smaller breeds) but a common rule is that your pup can't be left alone in the hotel room without a human — even if your dog has a carrier or travel playpen or is used to crate training. At Emeline, it's OK to step away for a dinner; however, "additional fees may apply if your dogs throw a wild hootenanny while you’re out for the evening."

And while Santa gets the most cookies this time of year, Emeline's pup package includes a custom-made treat made by the in-house pastry chef. Yes, really.

Emeline’s Greenhouse, a plant-packed venue typically used for weddings, occasionally hosts crafting workshops such as this year's oyster wreath-making session with Charleston Oyster Wreaths. Oyster shell decor will last for a couple of years or more if kept out of direct sunlight and heat. When packing up Christmas decor, don't leave this one in a hot attic or humid basement.

An anchor of King Street, Hotel Bennett is one of the most expensive hotels in the Lowcountry. And at Christmas, the luxury property rolls out over-the-top cheer such as a life-sized gingerbread house that serves hot cocoa and the ability to reserve a fully decorated Christmas tree in your hotel room. There's also an impressive lineup of craft classes with local artists such as candle-making with Andrea Davis of Motherland Essentials.

Savannah is a historic home museum mayhem. There's too much to see, too many to tour in one trip. But The Flannery O'Connor Childhood Home Museum shouldn't be missed at Christmas. Architecturally, this building is a bit of an underdog. Unlike the grand mansions that fill a whole block, this Depression-era row home only takes up a third of the lot. Today, the author's former home is a time capsule for white middle-class life during the Depression. But the real draw in December is the museum's annual Christmas Reading featuring Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" as well as a discussion of The Tailor of Gloucestershire by Beatrix Potter as part of the museum's book club, which reads and discusses what Flannery O'Connor herself read according to personal letters.

Of course, there's a peacock wreath on the museum's front door. It zigs when the rest of the Lowcountry zags with magnolia, but it's a nod to the author's most famous works and aesthetic. Flannery O'Connor was a total #BirdMom. In her life, she raised hundreds of peafowl and other birds. That obsession was cemented in her essay "The King of the Birds" from Mystery and Manners.

Drayton Hall is both historic and heavy. The attraction is a darling in the tourism industry and most Charleston travel guides will say it's a must-visit for the preserved architecture and gardens. And that's all true, but the plantation was also built by enslaved people for a man who likely owned thousands of enslaved people across 100 plantations. So, while this colonial-era estate remains one of the oldest untouched homes in the country, the attraction continues to tell the stories of the many different people who passed through the property. During the holidays, Drayton Hall offers special candlelight tours on select nights. It's a chance to see the home in a literal and metaphorical new light as the tour winds through the fanciest, grandest rooms and the most humble, sobering rooms of Drayton Hall's history.

The candlelight tour with its luminary glow is the most impressive holiday offering, but Drayton Hall, the oldest plantation open to the public in the U.S., has no shortage of superlatives. There's an annual oyster roast, wreath-making classes and even a new Holiday Sip and Stroll event with mulled wine and a landscape audio tour. But the most-requested event is the Annual Spirituals Concert. 41 years strong, the program takes place in the George W. McDaniel Education Center and features hymns and music that "could have been heard centuries ago in the surrounding fields and praise houses in Charleston, South Carolina plantations."

You can't venture far into downtown Savannah without spotting a SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) building. There's no true campus or quad. SCAD buildings are often repurposed historic homes or schools in town. (Full disclosure: This writer is a SCAD graduate and spent many hours in the Georgian revival Arnold Hall and Greek revival Norris Hall studying writing.) And as any SCAD architectural history or interior design major could tell you, the college has some incredible gems, from the Richardsonian Romanesque Poetter Hall to the Second Empire-style Magnolia Hall guest house (which this writer has stayed in as a returning visitor) with the most meticulously maintained ivy-covered porch steps.

Many of these buildings aren't accessible to the public, however, SCAD owns two historic theaters with a bevy of public events: Lucas Theatre for the Arts and the Trustees Theater. These spaces get the most hype during marquee events such as the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, but there's plenty of spirited entertainment during the holiday season. In 2024, the Lucas Theatre for the Arts hosted "Wonders of the Wurlitzer: A Wurlitzer Wonderland" to show off the theater's historic pipe organ and the "SCAD Holiday Spectacular" featuring SCAD's elite performance ensemble as well as several Broadway stars.