Chip and Joanna Gaines Share Their Simple Christmas Traditions — ‘Essentials Only’
From hot cocoa bars to 'rebellious' peace, see how 'The ‘Fixer Upper’ stars keep Christmas simple
Nobody does Christmas quite like Chip and Joanna Gaines. From their beautiful decorations to heartwarming stories, they truly know what it means to be happy around the holidays. To learn what exactly they do to keep the holly jolly spirit alive in their house this time of year, keep scrolling!
A Chip and Joanna holiday: the secret to a ‘slowdown’ Christmas
According to Joanna, each year she yearns to have a simple, down-to-earth Christmas with the “essentials only.” This then helps her have her dream holiday, which she describes as “where I am loved and have the chance to love in return. One where I am warmed by my family and my friends. One that lets me breathe—and deeply. Instead of requiring the kind of exhale that leaves me breathless, it makes space for the kind of breath that lifts and stirs me awake to the moments I set out to take in.”
“For me, the slowdown starts in November—by saying no. No to the hurry, no to the stress of doing things that don’t fill my cup and no to the temptation to do more, because we know that time doesn’t double for those who run faster. It disappears. And we know that peace can’t find us when we’ve wandered too far from the hope we started with,” Joanna continued. “So, here’s to a Christmas unsurrendered. A Christmas that settles in so deep that it drowns out the hustle and bustle all around. One that’s clothed in the same peace and presence as the very first. Here’s to a Christmas so rebelliously fulfilling that even a weary world can rejoice.”
The Gaines’ best Christmas decorating tips (and when they start)
On November 11, Joanna took to her website to reveal that the Gaines’ house was already decked in Christmas decor. That includes multiple trees, garland, lights and, of course, ornaments.
“Early November is the longest I can wait. By then, I’m already pining for scents of cinnamon and nutmeg. For twinkle lights that catch my eye and Bing Crosby on the turntable. I’m longing to unpack every moment and memory of holidays past. Yes, I’m one of those,” Joanna wrote. “By the time we’re ushered into the second-to-last month of the year, I am more than ready for Christmas to settle inside my home. The way we deck the halls at the farm doesn’t change much year to year. For me, this season isn’t about introducing a lot of new but about celebrating the old, the passed-down, the patiently waited for. It’s about the sights and scents and stories that say to us, ‘Soon, it will be Christmas Day.’”
Inside the Gaines family’s magical hot chocolate bar tradition
Along with the decor, Joanna also shared that they have a hot chocolate bar in their house every year.
“Since my kids were little, I’ve always set out a hot cocoa bar,” she explained. “Making a cup is still their favorite thing to do when they get home from school or, honestly, at the first sign of a winter chill. I love watching them make it their own. This year I got to set up the bar in our new butler’s pantry.”
How Chip and Joanna involve their kids in holiday decorating
Despite being an award-winning interior designer, when it comes to Christmas decor, Joanna said everyone helps out. This includes their son Crew, who is only seven-years-old.
“I love to see the kids get excited about decorating a tree, especially when it’s their own,” Joanna wrote. “We call [my youngest sons] the woodland tree because it’s home to anything outdoorsy, which is just like our Crew. But mostly, it’s the place I reserve for my favorite mushroom ornaments I’ve collected (and can’t seem to stop!) through the years.”
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