Grandma's Christmas Tradition: The Canned Snack That Never Failed to Start the Celebration

As a child, I always felt fortunate that my paternal grandmother, Omega Long, lived just a short drive away. Her butter-yellow Cadillac was a cheerful sight in the school carpool line, her slightly off-pitch singing entertained me during Sunday church services, and her dining room table became the centerpiece of many family gatherings.

Every Christmas Day, my family would visit Gran in the evening for what felt like an elegant holiday dinner for five. She would carefully lay out her favorite lace tablecloth, set the Spode Christmas Tree china, and display place cards handwritten by her neighbor. These dinners were special occasions that encouraged us to dress up and practice our finest manners.

Before sitting at the table, Gran would invite us to the living room near the Christmas tree for drinks and snacks. On the coffee table, among the appetizers, there was always a recognizable can with a green label: Hubs Virginia Peanuts. Often a gift from her next-door neighbor, these peanuts were a staple for her holiday gatherings and a nod to her lifelong Virginian roots.

Hubs, founded in Sedley, Virginia in 1954 by former schoolteacher Dot Hubbard, started as a way to share the authentic flavor of her fathers farm-grown peanuts with a wider community. With the support of her husband HJ, Dot expanded the business, bringing her gourmet peanuts to hosts across the country and eventually around the globe. Decades later, the peanuts are still produced in Sedley, a fact Gran delighted in reminding us of whenever she opened a can.

While Virginia has many excellent peanut producers, my affection will always remain with the Hubs cans that Gran cherished and served throughout her life. Their simple, savory flavor makes them perfect for entertaining, whether at football tailgates or elegant holiday parties. Even fifteen years after our last festive gathering at Grans house, I continue her tradition each Christmas Day.

Author: Sophia Brooks