Christmas looks a little different out here on the homestead. The holidays come wrapped in cool, frosty mornings, slow cups of coffee, and the rhythm of daily chores that donât pause just because the calendar says festive. And honestly? I love it that way!
Over the years, weâve learned that a simple Christmas isnât just easierâit's richer, calmer, and far more meaningful. If youâve been craving a slower, less stressful holiday season, hereâs how we keep things grounded and joyful at Twisted Willow Acres.
Thereâs something magical about stepping outside, clipping a handful of evergreen branches, and turning them into something beautiful.
Our dĂŠcor is mostly:
Handmade Ornaments
Pinecones
Dried orange slices
Simple beeswax candles
It looks incredible, costs almost nothing, and fills the house with that rustic, natural charm that feels right for this season.
Our focus is not on how many gifts we give or get. Our focus is on quality. When it comes to quality, we often rely on our own knowledge and skills to make the perfect gifts:
Herbal tinctures from the summer garden
Homemade lotions and balms
Home-baked goodies
Jars of pickles and preserves
Simple handmade ornaments or wreaths
Thereâs no pressure to create magazine-ready perfection. Just thoughtful, useful gifts that feel personal.
Homestead cooking naturally encourages simplicity. Christmas dinner doesnât need twelve sides and a spreadsheet to plan.
We make:
Tender veggies from storage
Turkey
Sourdough Stuffing
Homemade gravy
It all feels warm, comforting, and approachable. Everybody picks a task or two to help out. Nobody is stuck in the kitchen all day.
Every year, I ask myself: Does this make us happy, or does this stress us out?
What stays:
Simple Turkey Dinner
Staying in our pajamas
A day spent together
Watching our favorite Christmas movies
What we gently let go of:
Overspending
Overcommitting
Trying to attend every event
Buying things just because itâs âwhat you doâ
When you give yourself permission to let go, Christmas becomes so much lighter.
Winter is naturally a season of rest, and we try to honour that.
Our calendar stays intentionally open so we can enjoy:
Spontaneous holiday movie nights
Making delicious hearty soups
Taking extra care of all the critters
Quiet evenings in the glow of the fireplace
Sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable.
The truth is, peace doesnât just magically happen at Christmasâyou have to make room for it.
That means saying no when weâre stretched too thin.
It means choosing presence over perfection.
It means remembering that joy often shows up in small, quiet ways: warm hands around a mug, animals fed and tucked in, a candle glowing in the window.
Out here on the homestead, Christmas feels less like a production⌠and more like a season of gratitude.
A simple Christmas isnât about doing less for the sake of less.
Itâs about doing more of what mattersâand letting the rest go.
If youâre craving a calmer holiday this year, try bringing in a bit of that homestead spirit: use whatâs around you, give from the heart, and leave plenty of space for rest. You might be surprised by how magical your Christmas becomes.