When Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted was planning the grounds of George W. Vanderbilt’s new home in Asheville, NC, he knew family and guests would be spending many a winter day, particularly during the holidays, enjoying Biltmore Estate. So, Olmsted planted the gardens with evergreens, holly and luxuriant ivy that would twine along the trunks and branches of deciduous trees. The end result is a landscape that is equally inviting in every season—including winter when the property hosts its annual Christmas at Biltmore Estate January 4, 2004.

Today’s holiday decorating staff members are delighted that Olmsted’s plan included plenty of traditional winter greenery as they draw on the English folk carol, “The Holly and the Ivy,” to decorate America’s largest privately owned home this year.

“Nothing delights us more than incorporating natural elements from the estate into our decorations,” said Floral Displays Manager Cathy Barnhardt. “My staff and I love being able to go outside to cut fresh greenery that’s not only beautiful and fragrant, but also has a rich history of its own. Many plants used in holiday decorating have some deeper symbolism or meaning. Holly, with its brilliant green leaves and bright red berries, was revered by ancient people as a symbol of eternal life, while ivy is symbolic of fidelity and strength of belief.”

Of course, guests throughout the holiday season will see not only natural elements, but also decorations inspired by the opulence of the turn of the 19th century. The 250-room Biltmore House is decked for the holidays with nearly three dozen trees, hundreds of wreaths and thousands of feet of fresh pine garland. Add about 1,500 poinsettias, 500 bows and countless Christmas lights and ornaments and Christmas at Biltmore Estate is an experience to remember.

Guests enjoying the wonders of Biltmore House will find the holly and ivy theme most recognizable in the Salon with a tree twined in holly, ivy and honeysuckle vines. In the 70-foot high Banquet Hall, a 35-foot live Fraser fir takes center stage as it does each year with brass ornaments, beautifully wrapped gifts and colorful Christmas crackers re-creating the anticipation and excitement of Christmas 1895, when Vanderbilt first opened the house to family and friends. In the Third Floor Living Hall visitors will find a patriotic salute with a tree decorated in American flags accented by blue, red and gold ornaments.

And for guests who would like to learn a little bit more about Christmases past, the estate is offering a Christmas Traditions Fireside Chat. Pull a chair up to the fireplace in Vanderbilt’s private den where he and his St. Bernard, Cedric, might have spent a wintry afternoon. There, a knowledgeable Biltmore House host leads an hour-long talk about life at Biltmore House and the family traditions that continue into the twenty-first century. Fireside chats are available at 10 A.M. and cost $14.00 per person, in addition to an estate pass or admission. Reservations are available the day of visit at Guest Services locations throughout the property.

While Biltmore House is enchanting by the light of day, Candlelight Christmas Evenings give visitors an opportunity to be captivated by flickering candle and firelight reflected in cut-glass ornaments, gilt decorations or perhaps the wondering eyes of a child. Each evening, hundreds of luminaries light a path to Biltmore House where candles glow, fireplaces crackle and musicians fill the rooms with holiday music. Reservations for evening visits are required.

To make an evening visit even more special, guests can reserve a table at one of Biltmore’s restaurants for dinner before or after a candlelight tour.