Traditions
Story by Cassie Graham • Laura McBryde Photography
feature
KATHRYN
Wilcox
Kathryn Wilcox is the recently retired Executive
Director of The Carolinian in Florence. She and her
husband Biff live in Florence and are blessed with
three children and five grandchildren.
SERVING UP CHRISTMAS TRADITION
As women, we often feel bogged down and worn out during the holidays.
Kathryn could expect anywhere from fifty to sixty guests, but the popularity of the event has caused
Rushing from store to store in search of the perfect gifts, spending hours slaving over hot stoves to
it to grow. In fact, last Christmas one of the guests traveled all the way from Greensboro to attend.
create elaborate meals for family and friends, staying up past our bedtimes to wrap presents and
Needless to say, ladies wait anxiously for an invitation each holiday season. Though many guests
thinking of just the right place to position our “Elves on the Shelves” are only a few of the holiday
return year after year, the guest list does vary each year due to holiday scheduling conflicts. The rough-
tasks we women are usually in charge of. No one knows the feeling of holiday burn-out better than
ly one hundred lucky ladies that do receive invitations are treated to a night of laughs and luxury.
Kathryn Wilcox. Realizing that she, along with her girlfriends, deserved a much-needed break from
Women from various career fields have the opportunity to connect at Girls’ Night Out. Meeting
holiday stress, Kathryn came up with an idea that evolved into a tradition that’s been going strong
new friends and fellowshipping with old friends makes the night even more enjoyable and relaxing.
for the past fifteen years.
Photos of children and grandchildren are shared and fond gestures exchanged between guests. Even
One of the most unconventional Christmas traditions takes place at the Wilcox home the week
before Christmas. To give the ladies in her life a break, Kathryn hosts a Girls’ Night Out Party at her
usually drown out the music.
home, along with friends Betty Snyder, Kathy Fricano, Catherine Thompson, Sue Vitali and Candy
In addition to the party, Kathryn’s favorite tradition is taking photos of Christmas Eve guests in front
Roach. The best part of Girls’ Night Out is that five to seven carefully chosen men cheerfully serve the
of her tree. She prints out two photos: one to put on her “Tree of Christmases Past” and one to give
ladies all night long. Decked out in tuxes, cummerbunds, jeans, tennis shoes, and white towels on
to the guests. Of course she takes a special photo of the hostesses and servers. “When people come
their arms, male friends stroll through the crowd of up to 100 women popping bottles of champagne,
to the house during the Christmas season, they always stop by the Tree of Christmases Past to look
uncorking wine and serving up hors d’oeuvres. For once the hardworking women can kick back, relax
for their photos.”
and let the men do all of the serving! Ladies bring dollar bills to tip the servers, tucking bills into their
Kathryn grew up in a big Italian family where Christmas was all about family, food and fellowship.
cummerbunds throughout the evening. “The guys look forward to it; they like being servers! Now
“Having a good meal and enjoying time together is what makes Christmas so special, not the gifts.”
I have some men who volunteer to do it!” Kathryn reveals.
She looks forward to being surrounded by her friends and family and having the opportunity to thank
Kathryn, along with the five other hostesses, invite twenty ladies each. When Girls’ Night Out began,
though shag music plays in the background, Kathryn admits that the party excitement and chatter
24
DECEMBER 2015
the Lord for everything He has blessed her with.
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