Christmas on the farm: Hard work and heartfelt moments

For many, the Christmas season brings visions of twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and leisurely mornings spent around the tree. But for farm families, the holiday looks a little different. The rhythm of farm life doesn’t stop for Christmas, and amid the magic of the season, there’s still work to be done. Animals need care, barns need tending, and the land continues to call, even on the most special of days.

The unique blend of hard work and holiday cheer makes Christmas on the farm unlike any other. The traditions that spring from this lifestyle are shaped by the land, the animals, and the people who work them.

While many families open presents early and spend the day celebrating, farm families often have to wait until after morning chores are done to relax and enjoy the festivities. Yet it is in these moments — with the chilly morning barn visits and the comforting scent of breakfast baking — that farm families create their own deeply meaningful traditions.

To get a true sense of what Christmas looks like on the farm, I reached out to my followers on social media, many of whom shared their own stories. Their responses reflect the balance between work and celebration that defines the holiday for so many in agriculture.

One such story came from Instagram user grocery_store_farmer, Rita Herford, who explained how Christmas mornings begin not under the tree, but in the barn.

“My husband has cattle chores every morning on Christmas Day,” she shared, noting that the hired help gets the holidays off. This means her family takes on the full responsibilities of the farm, starting their holiday by ensuring the animals are well cared for.

“The tradition is to lay around and open gifts after church,” she added, painting a picture of a peaceful and rewarding day, though with one unique twist. “I didn’t think it was that odd, but apparently my kids are the only ones who don’t get to open gifts until noon!”

Iowa dairy and beef farmer Madi Skubal also shared her family’s traditions, offering a glimpse into a morning that starts with chores and ends with family time.

“Our employees always have Christmas off, so we milk Christmas morning and night as a family,” she explained. The Skubal family embraces the routine of milking the cows twice a day, even on Christmas, turning it into a shared experience. The morning might be cold and the work hard, but once they come in from the barn, the warmth of home welcomes them with a special breakfast.

“We have my mom’s egg casserole and Georgia biscuits for breakfast when we come in,” she said, showing how food becomes part of the holiday tradition, a comforting reward after the work is done.

Like many farm kids, Skubal and her siblings grew up learning to balance work and fun.

“We always had to wait to open gifts when we were young until Mom and Dad came in from chores when we were too young to help in the barn,” she recalled.

This idea of waiting, of putting farm responsibilities first, is central to many farm families’ traditions. Yet, it doesn’t seem to dampen the joy of Christmas. If anything, it makes the eventual celebration even sweeter, as the family comes together after chores are done to enjoy the rest of the holiday.

A couple farmers with Italian roots — Heather Baker and Becky Ryan — commented that their families partake in pasta and a “seven-fish feast” on Christmas Eve. This refers to the Italian-American tradition known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes (aka La Vigilia). This meal typically involves serving seven different types of seafood, though some families might serve more or fewer than seven dishes. The tradition comes from the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat on certain holy days, including the eve of major religious holidays like Christmas.

The number seven is symbolic in many ways, representing the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, the seven days of creation, or the number of virtues and sins. The types of seafood included in the feast vary by region and family, but common dishes might feature baccalà (salted cod), clams, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and other fish.

Amanda Nigg — who goes by the name of FarmFitMomma — says, “We bake Christmas cookies and treats to give out to our neighbors. The boys love it.”

Nigg helps the farming community with mental health and custom diet and exercise programs. At only 70 calories per serving, her recipe for Protein Powder Puppy Chow is as follows:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups rice
• 4 cups Rice Chex cereal
• 4 oz white chocolate
• ¼ cup sprinkles
• ⅓ cup protein powder

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice and Rice Chex cereal.
2. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds until fully melted.
3. Pour the melted white chocolate over the rice and cereal mixture, gently stirring to coat everything evenly.
4. Once coated, sprinkle the protein powder over the mixture and stir until fully combined.
5. Add the sprinkles and mix to distribute evenly.
6. Let the mixture cool and set for about 10-15 minutes.
7. Once cooled, enjoy your delicious and protein-packed puppy chow!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

The connection between work and family is what makes Christmas on the farm so special. It’s a time when generations come together to continue their daily responsibilities, while also making room for joy and relaxation. The presents might wait a little longer, and the mornings might be colder, but the warmth of family, tradition, and love for the land shine brightly through it all.

For farm families, Christmas is about more than just a day of rest. It’s about honoring their commitment to the animals, the land, and each other — proving that even amid the busiest days, there’s always room for celebration.

Michelle Miller, the Farm Babe, is a farmer, public speaker, and writer who has worked for years with row crops, beef cattle, and sheep. She believes education is key in bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.