Christmas in Hobgood, North Carolina has always held a special place in my heart. From tractor-pulled sleigh rides to homemade fudge and the warm hospitality of my grandparents’ farm, these cherished memories continue to define what the holiday season means to me.
Eastern North Carolina Favorite: Christmas in Hobgood
Growing up, Christmas was always my favorite holiday. That probably is not surprising—most small children love Christmas because of that magical feeling of waking up to see if Santa ate the cookies you left out and discovering what he tucked beneath the tree.
But Christmas was always a little different for me.
If you are familiar with Eastern North Carolina, you may know that Christmas in Hobgood always felt like something truly special—filled with small-town magic, community spirit, and traditions that brought people together year after year.
In the days leading up to the holiday, my parents and I would make our way to Hobgood, North Carolina, to my grandparents’ farm. That was where we went to see Santa Claus—not at the mall, not at a store—but right in the heart of the country, surrounded by fields, fresh air, and holiday lights that seemed to glow just a little brighter against the winter sky. Santa at the farm did not arrive on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. Instead, he greeted children and adults alike, climbed aboard a sleigh pulled by a John Deere tractor, and took everyone on a ride around the farm. We would sing Jingle Bells, laugh, and admire the decorations carefully arranged along the sweet little farm path my grandparents designed just for this season.
This story was originally published in the November/December 2016 issue of Eastern Living and has been lovingly updated for 2025.
What Made Christmas in Hobgood So Special
My tough cotton and tobacco–farming grandfather, Arthur Davis, was the man behind the beard. He passed up offers to be Santa in department stores because he loved hosting families at the farm. It was his joy. Every year he added more decorations, started planning a little earlier, and dreamed up new details to make the experience even more magical. One of my favorite memories is helping him set up the Nativity scene. We spent hours getting every figure in just the right place. Hanging the North Star in the tree always took the longest because he wanted it to be perfect. And he worked tirelessly to make sure that it was.
Inside the farmhouse, Christmas lived in every room. Each space had its own theme, including a room filled with teddy bears that everyone loved. While some rooms featured trendy, musical decorations, my grandmother kept the living room classic—a white tree adorned with delicate white crocheted ornaments, paired with one of the most enchanting Christmas village displays I have ever seen. She carefully arranged each piece so the village told a story. Many of her beautiful lighted houses came from Josey Brothers in Scotland Neck, and I loved going to the Holiday Open House with her to help choose new additions each year.
Preparing for the Open House was no small feat. There was cleaning, decorating, arranging flow inside and out, and more than a little electrical tape securing cords to beloved displays. I loved bringing friends to see Santa at the farm. Imagine being a kid and saying Santa made a special three-day stop at your grandparents’ house before Christmas Eve. It felt like the biggest honor in the world, and my friends loved every second of it, too.
Another favorite memory was my grandmother’s fudge. While she always prepared a table full of snacks and punch, it was the fudge I waited for all year. I always slipped away for an extra piece…or two. It became one of those traditions that shaped the rhythm of the season for me. (Her recipe is still included below, in case you need something special to bring to a holiday party.)
My grandfather did not limit his Santa duties to the farm. For years, he played Santa in the Scotland Neck Christmas parade. When I was in elementary school, I joined him by riding Champ, the resident pony, in a covered wagon my grandfather built just for the parade. It was pure joy—one of those once-in-a-lifetime childhood memories that somehow become even sweeter as you get older.
What my grandparents created was not just a holiday display. It was community. Friends came. Strangers stopped, joined in, and left as friends—then returned the next year with more people in tow. A tractor-pulled sleigh, jingle bells, laughter echoing across farmland—it truly was magic. My grandparents loved sharing that joy and hospitality, and my grandfather especially loved seeing children’s faces light up with belief and excitement.
One of my most treasured keepsakes from them is a vintage village scene of snow-covered houses. In their home, it was displayed on a mirror—because at Christmas, nothing was ever left undecorated. I used it in my dorm room and first apartment, and now, it is always the first decoration I put out each season. In our first house, it sat in the kitchen window; now it lives on our foyer table, welcoming guests. It is still my favorite decoration, and every time I see the electrical tape still on the cord, I laugh and think of weekends spent helping my grandfather prepare the yard for Christmas.
I think about the way he waved at every car that honked as it passed the house glowing with lights. I think about the pride my grandparents shared when everything was finally decorated and complete. And I think about my own joy—riding around the farm with him, soaking in time together, surrounded by something he loved so deeply.
Now, all these years later, Christmas looks different. Life changes, families shift, and traditions evolve. Despite that, the meaning remains rooted in those memories: joy, generosity, community, tradition, and love. When I decorate our home each December, when I plug in that village scene, when I think of fudge cooling on the counter, I feel my grandparents close by. Their Christmas spirit lives on, not just in decorations or memories, but in the way I try to celebrate—with warmth, welcome, and a full heart.
Those are the moments that shaped what Christmas in Hobgood will always mean to me.
My Grandmother’s Fudge Recipe
Her secret: She used an 11 x 16–inch pan so the fudge was slightly thinner than standard, which made it perfect for sharing.
3 cups sugar
1/4 stick margarine
1 cup evaporated milk
1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme (Kraft)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional—she always used pecans)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Mix sugar, evaporated milk, and margarine together. Cook until the mixture comes to a boil, stirring frequently. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. (She always spooned a drop into cold water—if it formed a little ball, it was ready.) Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips and marshmallow creme until completely blended.
Pour into a greased 11 x 16–inch pan. Allow to cool, then cut into squares and enjoy.
Final Thoughts on Christmas in Hobgood
Christmas in Hobgood will always be more than just a childhood memory—it is a reminder of joy, generosity, and the beauty of gathering together. My grandparents created something truly special on that little Eastern North Carolina farm, and the warmth of those celebrations still lives with me today. Each year when I decorate our home, I feel a piece of that magic return. It is a reminder that the best Christmas traditions are not about perfection or presents—they are about love, community, and the people who make the season meaningful.
For more of my holiday favorites here.
