Dolly Parton, 78, oozes glamour on the cover of Good Housekeeping

Dolly Parton oozed glamour on the cover of the December edition of Good Housekeeping as she gave fans an insight into Christmas with her family.

The cherished country singer, 78, is bringing the festivities early as she lifted the lid on what the holiday is like in her home, dressing up as Granny Claus, and the new cookbook she's releasing with sister Rachel Parton George.

She looked incredible as she defied her years in the photoshoot, donning a long-sleeved black top with mesh cut-outs and gold detailing.

The star completed her Christmas look with stripy gold sequinned trousers and chunky platform heels.

Dolly wore her blonde locks in her signature voluminous style and opted for a glamorous palette of makeup for the occasion. 

Another festive scene saw her put on a leggy display as she sported a champagne lace-up dress, complete with an embroidered cardigan.

Dolly told the publication: 'These days, my Christmas starts in November. I have my house and my yard decorated, I put a cross on top of the chapel, and on the night of Thanksgiving, I flick the switch and it all goes on. 

'Tourists come round and look at the outside of my house, so for their sake, it's a bit less tacky out there, but inside I can tacky it up any way I please! 

'I have Christmas trees in all the rooms, everything has lights on – and then we add more lights, and then more lights. I change all the decor up – the dishcloths and the curtains. 

She continued: 'Oh, and I have Christmas lights in my hair – I have them everywhere. I wear earrings that light up, a reindeer necklace that lights up, I wear sweaters with Christmas lights on – you push a button and I light up!'

And her love of Christmas doesn't end there, as the singer revealed that she even dresses up as Granny Claus for her nieces, nephews, and children of people who work with her.

'I'll do whatever I can to put a smile on their faces,' she gushed, 'Every year, I play Granny Claus – I get in my Santa Claus suit and I come down the chimney with my sack full of presents.

'Even though a lot of the children are grown-up now, they still expect me to do it. One day, I'll be hobbling in that elevator!'

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When asked on whether she dresses up for the big day, Dolly told the magazine: 'It's hard for me to dress down. 

'[My sister] Rachel's a natural beauty, whereas I need a bit of sparkle and shine. I like to go over the top. You should see inside my house at Christmas!'

She continued: 'Rachel is a serious cook, and that's where the title of our book, Good Lookin' Cookin', came from, because she makes things look pretty and people say, 'How did she do that?

'She's the better, classier host, whereas I'm more like the welcoming committee.'

Finally, commenting on the gifts she likes to receive, the country legend said: 'Everybody says to me, ‘Oh, I don’t know what to get you – what do you buy somebody who has everything?’ 

'And I say, ‘Well, you get ’em something to put it in!’ I’m the easiest person on Earth to buy for because I love costume jewellery and tote bags and purses. 

'As for my sisters, I usually send somebody out who has better taste than me to make sure they get them the really good stuff.'

The December 2024 issue of Good Housekeeping is on sale from 24 October