What Christmas Is Like on the Farm
Lately I’ve been asked a lot what winter and Christmas is like on the farm. I’ll write another post about winter in general later but here’s what Christmas is like for us on our small family farm.
Christmas is both quieter and fuller than what you probably imagine. There’s no sleeping in, no skipping responsibilities, and no pause button on chores and caring for our animals—but there is deep tradition, intention, and a rhythm that keeps us grounded even when excitement runs high.
Christmas Eve: Ice, Fire, and Stillness
Christmas Eve Day is filled with doing all the extra chores we can do to make chores on Christmas Day as short and smooth as possible. But when that was done we had one of the most special moments happens on Christmas Eve. It was cloudy, drizzly and foggy and I suggested we go for a walk to get some fresh air but it was getting late and none really wants to walk in the woods in the dark. So we grabbed our ice skates, some fire wood, candles, marshmallows, hot chocolate, hotdogs and head out to our pond. Tea lights lined the ice, glowing softly against the snow, while the campfire blazed nearby… it was the perfect evening and may just become a new tradition.
The children burned off some of that buzzing Christmas energy—and it was a chance for all of us to slow down and be present. There’s something incredibly grounding about skating under the winter sky, surrounded by quiet, firelight, and the land we care for every day.
Chores Come First (Yes, Even on Christmas)
Christmas morning on the farm starts the same way every other day does—by taking care of our animals. Even with presents waiting under the tree, the animals come first.
We do try to make it easier by doing as much work as possible the day before, so Christmas morning chores don’t take long. Still, the animals need tending, so we all head out- the kids head out with treats in hand—apples and carrots for their horse, Magic, and for Marshmallow, our show heifer.
Justin and I both grew up on dairy farms, where chores took hours and Christmas gifts had to wait. That experience shaped us. We don’t rush past responsibility, but we also try to create space for joy and we hold space for our dairy heritage and respect for those families who still farm in this way.
Keeping Christmas Simple
We try to keep Christmas simple by design but our children are at a special age where the magic is still real for them all and we know that it probably won’t last much longer. This year I put in extra effort to keep the magic.
Each child gets a few things they need, a few things they want, and mostly gifts meant to be shared as a family.
This year’s highlights included:
A drone (a very inexpensive one—we’re realistic about its lifespan with children on the control)
A show box as the kids head into their prime 4-H years
A vintage Monopoly game with real metal pieces
New cowboy hats for everyone
One tradition that never gets old is our annual photo book—a collection of favorite moments from the past year. It’s always one of the most meaningful gifts.
Homemade Donuts & More Chores
After gifts were opened, I made homemade fried donuts—fried in our own pork lard. There’s something so deeply satisfying about feeding my family food made from ingredients we raised ourself.
Then it was back outside for more farm chores. The animals don’t know it’s Christmas—but they know we show up.
Church, Family, and Full Tables
From there, we headed to Christmas Day church and then on to Grandpa and Grandma O’Brien’s for lunch. I made a prime rib roast, and Grandpa handled all the sides—every one of them delicious. After lunch, the boys headed out deer hunting for the holiday hunt. Hunting here is about keeping environmental equilibrium, respect for nature and responsibility. Grandpa had a Christmas miracle harvested a deer to fill their freezer with great lean protein for the year ahead.
The weekend before Christmas we traveled 3.5 hours to spend time with Justin’s family. For Saturday night dinner, I roasted an 11-pound beef brisket (one of my favorites), and Sunday was the Daniels Christmas—where 103 of 133 extended family members gathered in one place. Loud, joyful and a special tradition for their family.
Huge thank you to our neighbor Kent for taking care of the farm for us so we can get the chance to be there!
Joy- that keeps us going all year.
One of our favorite parts of the Holidays is getting to be a small part of so many family celebrations!
Getting messages or tags on social media with pictures of your family gathered around the table enjoying something from our farm- warms us in a way that keeps us going all year round.
Our Holiday box tucked under the tree. The extended family gathered together under one roof at our rental house. The brisket, pork tenderloin, ribeye steaks, bacon or jam on the table- just to name a few- mean the world to us and we are so honored to be a part of your special celebrations- helping bring people and families together.
Christmas on the farm isn’t picture-perfect in the polished way you see online. It’s cold muddy boots by the door, animals to feed, meals cooked from scratch, and time spent together—on the ice, around the table, and out in the barn.
It’s a reminder that celebration doesn’t require excess. It requires presence, responsibility, and gratitude—for the land, the animals, and the people we get to share it all with.
And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
However and wherever you celebrated, we hope your holiday was special and full of moments you’ll carry with you into the new year. Merry Christmas.