This may be our tallest tree ever. We love the way our home brightens this time of year.
Christmas Traditions
One of the greatest joys of building our home and creating a vision for our family at the farm is rooted in the traditions God has graciously allowed us to cultivate over the years. Christmastime, in particular, invites us to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the faithfulness of the Lord as we gather together. For more than 23 years, these traditions have helped anchor our family in love, gratitude, and faith.
For us, the Christmas season begins the day after Thanksgiving. For many years, one of our most beloved traditions has been choosing and cutting down a live Christmas tree together. We began this tradition when our oldest boy was just a baby. Even in those early years—when money was tight and we lived in an apartment—we made room for a real tree. Sometimes it came from a Home Depot lot, but it was always chosen with joy and intention, a reminder that celebration is not about abundance, but about presence and thankfulness.
We have always been able to count on our boys to cut and carry our perfect tree to load onto our vehicle.
Now, living in a rural area, we are blessed with the opportunity to visit nearby farms and cut down our tree together. The process is always lively and full of laughter. Everyone searches for the perfect tree, only to pause when Mom says, “Wait—I see another one over there.” These moments remind me that patience, togetherness, and shared purpose are gifts from God.
The following day, we decorate our home. Boxes of ornaments are opened, memories are retold, and by evening the tree glows with lights. One by one, ornaments are handed out—each one holding meaning. Our tree is filled with yearly family ornaments, handmade creations from little hands over the years, and gifts given to us since the beginning of our marriage and parenthood. Watching the kids place their “baby’s first Christmas” ornaments on the tree was a quiet reminder of how faithfully God has carried us through every season.
Another cherished tradition is gingerbread baking—both cookies and houses. Over the years, gingerbread houses were made when the Texas cousins come to town, usually every other year. This year, plans changed, but God still filled our home with joy as grown-up kids and friends gathered instead. The gingerbread is made completely from scratch, turning the day into a shared labor of love. We cut, bake, and build our gingerbread houses and use my favorite lemony royal icing to make eating both cookies and houses a special treat. Our kitchen becomes warm and full, and our home overflows with laughter, sweetness, and more treats than we need—a small reflection of God’s abundant provision.
Fresh and Smoked Polish sausages, pierogies, fruit, and of course, farm fresh pasture raised eggs go well with warm drinks to carry on Elizabeth’s family tradition.
Since moving to the farm, we’ve hosted Christmas Day for a crowd. The celebration begins with a Polish breakfast of sausages, pierogies, eggs, and more. We continue into the afternoon when the rest of the family arrives—Grandma and Grandpa included with appetizers followed by lamb at dinner, which is always grilled to perfection. Although enjoyed once a year, Christmas dinner continues to be one of the absolute favorites of everyone in the family.
Gifts are exchanged among grandparents and cousins, but the greatest gift remains time together. Christmas Day is still a favorite—one the kids aren’t ready to give up anytime soon. We are grateful for Advent candles glowing during quiet evenings by the fireplace, our small dog Hobbes curled up in Christmas blankets, snow when it comes, and Christmas music filling our home. Each detail feels like a gentle reminder of God’s gift of His Son to us.
We sit all together and start our meal with a holiday popper on each plate, which we open to wear a crown and play with a prize during dinner. Laughter fills our home as we savor one of our favorite meals of the entire year.
My heart is full as we continue building a Christ-centered home, grounded in faith, family, and gratitude. We entrust these traditions—and the years still to come—to Him, thankful for every moment shared.
To God be the glory for all that has been and all that is yet to come!
Ready for pasture-raised goodness? Check out our farm store to stock up on chicken, eggs, and more—all raised with care, right here at Osage Grove Farms.
