{"id":1920,"date":"2025-11-14T01:18:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T06:18:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brickellsold.com\/blog\/joanna-gaines-reveals-surprising-act-of-holiday-rebellion-as-she-lifts-the-lid-on-familys-plans-for-christmas\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T10:34:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:34:59","slug":"joanna-gaines-reveals-surprising-act-of-holiday-rebellion-as-she-lifts-the-lid-on-familys-plans-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brickellsold.com\/blog\/joanna-gaines-reveals-surprising-act-of-holiday-rebellion-as-she-lifts-the-lid-on-familys-plans-for-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Proven Joanna Gaines Reveals Surprising Act of Holiday Rebellion\u2014as She Lifts the Lid on Family\u2019s Plans for Christmas: Mistakes to Avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Joanna Gaines Reveals Surprising<\/strong> helps improve planning, consistency, and publishing quality when teams follow a repeatable workflow.<\/p>\n

Interior designer and TV personality Joanna Gaines<\/strong> has opened up about the “rebellious” way that she is taking control of her Christmas celebrations\u2014explaining why she has already started slowing down for the holiday season. <\/p>\n

The 47-year-old “Fixer Upper” star, who lives in Waco, TX, shared how she unwinds for the holidays in the winter issue of Magnolia Journal.<\/p>\n

She noted that she always prioritizes a “slow Christmas” season to allow her to relax and spend some quality time with her family. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned I\u2019ll have to fight for these next few months as the tendency to keep hustling blurs my reach for Christmas as it should be. <\/p>\n

“It isn\u2019t always so easy in a season that can pull us in lots of directions. Where the peace we long for, the time back we\u2019ve earned, is constantly at war with expectations of more,” she said. <\/p>\n

Gaines has lifted the lid on why she begins saying “no” to the hustle beginning in November, and her plans for Christmas. (Courtesy of Magnolia Network)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She noted that she will be going against the grain and opting for a life of peace instead of continuing her usual hustle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be the first to admit that I\u2019m generally a do-whatever-it-takes kind of girl. It\u2019s in my nature \u2026 but Christmas? This is when I want to rebel against my own nature and rebel against the voices in our culture telling me it won\u2019t be the day of my dreams if I\u2019m not out there hustling,” she added.<\/p>\n

And, Gaines takes her relaxation time extremely seriously, so much so that she begins declining invitations as early as November.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the slowdown starts in November\u2014by saying no. No to the hurry. No to the stress of doing things that don\u2019t fill my cup. No to the temptation to do more. Because we know that time doesn\u2019t double for those who run faster. It disappears,” the home expert admitted.<\/p>\n

The mom explained that she prioritized this mindset after overexerting herself during the holiday season and missing crucial moments with her family. <\/p>\n

\u201cI have spent the day I waited for all year waiting for it to be over. Wondering why I let the moments that mean the most slip through overworked hands. \u2026 But Christmas stripped down is what I\u2019m after,” Gaines noted.<\/p>\n

During her relaxation time, Gaines focuses on transforming her sprawling dwelling into a winter wonderland fit for Mr. Claus himself.<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly November is the longest I can wait. By then, I\u2019m already pining for scents of cinnamon and nutmeg. For twinkle lights that catch my eye and Bing Crosby on the turntable. I\u2019m longing to unpack every moment and memory of holidays past,” she said of when she begins her decoration journey.<\/p>\n

And, Gaines noted that you shouldn’t worry about reusing the same decor as last year, noting that she rarely changes her trinkets out.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way we deck the halls at the farm doesn\u2019t change much year to year. For me, this season isn\u2019t about introducing a lot of new but about celebrating the old, the passed-down, the patiently waited for,” the designer said.<\/p>\n

\"Joanna
The 47-year-old “Fixer Upper” star opened up about how she unwinds for the holidays in the winter issue of Magnolia Journal. (Courtesy of Magnolia Network )<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Home
She noted that she always prioritizes a “slow Christmas” season to allow her to relax and spend some quality time with her family. (Lisa Petrole)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Home
She noted that she will be going against the grain and opting for a life of peace instead of continuing her usual hustle. (Lisa Petrole)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She also shared her secrets for decorating several areas in your home, including your entryway, sitting area, tree, mantel, tablescape, wreaths, and how you can set up a hot cocoa bar. <\/p>\n

Speaking about the entryway, she said, \u201cI like to have my entryway feel festive since it\u2019s the first thing you see when you walk into our house. Here, I kept it simple, but still sentimental, with a couple of winter village houses I found nearly 15 years ago and a Norfolk pine wreath that I like to hang on top of our large vintage gate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur sitting area is one of the first spaces you see when you step into our home, so I like to keep it neutral but still very festive. The tree always gets dressed up with tinsel and my collection of mercury ornaments, and this year I was inspired by a sense of storybook nostalgia so I enclosed vintage books and moss inside a large cloche. The garland down the staircase is a yearly tradition, and in recent years, I\u2019ve loved the addition of velvet ribbon,” she added referring to the sitting area. <\/p>\n

When it comes to the tree, Gaines noted, \u201cThe family tree is the Christmas hero in our living room. Chip can get pretty passionate about having a real tree, though when the day comes and I watch him and the boys lug a 14-foot pine into the house and onto its stand, I\u2019ll be honest, I\u2019m often thinking about how easy and efficient a fake one would be. … But then\u2014when we\u2019ve hung the last ornaments and we watch the strands of twinkle lights go from dark to light\u2014I am always glad to have given this tree so much attention. Every ornament is a memory, and all together, they tell the story of our family over the past 25 years.\u201d <\/p>\n

As for the mantel and the tablescape, she said, \u201cThe mantel is another place I love to dress up. Garland is a must, with its deep green hue and heavy pine scent. The layer of dried oranges is a nod to ‘Little Women,’ one of my favorite winter stories. Hung above a crackling fire, it adds to the feeling of nostalgia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be our second Christmas dinner in our new dining room, and because we don\u2019t eat meals there nightly, I like to keep it decorated all season long with ribbon-wrapped tapers and a floral arrangement that\u2019s a bit more dramatic than what I\u2019d typically display\u2014but just right for the holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although it seems small, Gaines noted that she has an “obsession” with wreaths, adding that they can really add to the festive spirit of a house.<\/p>\n

\"Home
And, Gaines takes her relaxation time extremely seriously, so much so that she begins declining invitations as early as November. (Lisa Petrole)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fishing\"
While Gaines and Ella focused on the cottage, Chip and their sons focused on fishing behind the property. (Courtesy of Magnolia Network)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIf you haven\u2019t noticed, I have a small obsession with wreaths this time of year. I\u2019ll hang one up just about anywhere: on a mirror, a window, a door,” Gaines said. <\/p>\n

Lastly, she spoke about how you can transform one area of your home into a mouthwatering dessert stop.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince my kids were little, I\u2019ve always set out a hot cocoa bar. 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\u2019s pantry,” she said.<\/p>\n

Gaines and her husband, Chip<\/strong>, 50, previously took to Instagram to show off their upcoming series, “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House,” which hit TV screens Oct. 28.<\/p>\n

In addition to showing off the projects they would be taking on, they also revealed that a special guest would be joining them\u2014their daughter Ella<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Speaking about the decision to buy the Colorado mountain house, Gaines said, \u201cNow, we\u2019ve made this annual trek to the mountains for more than a decade, and somewhere along the way Chip and I started to wonder if Colorado was meant to be a bigger part of our family\u2019s future. <\/p>\n

“With the kids getting older and going off to colleges in different directions, we kind of loved the idea of having a central place where we could all gather together, a place with all the same comfort and intention and care as the farmhouse in Waco.<\/p>\n

\"Joanna
Gaines and her husband, Chip, previously took to Instagram to show off their upcoming series, “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House,” which hit TV screens Oct. 28. (Lisa Petrole for Magnolia Journal)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
In addition to showing off the projects they would be taking on, they also revealed that a special guest would be joining them\u2014their daughter Ella. (joannagaines\/Instagram)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBeyond a gathering place for our own family, I could see our parents and extended families here on weekend getaways, wanderlusting their hearts out. And friends who feel like family making themselves at home. <\/p>\n

“I could see this place outliving us, housing our kids and their families on spring breaks decades from now. \u2026 From a practical perspective, the house had just the right blend of good bones and square footage that we love in a project\u2014not to mention a classically rustic, cozy cabin feel that we could easily sink into,” she explained.<\/p>\n

And, the mom noted she was overjoyed that she got to share the experience with Ella, adding that it made the project that much better.<\/p>\n

\u201cOver the past few years, Ella has really come into her own when it comes to developing her own personal style. I love her eye, so I asked her to design the small cottage adjacent to the main house. It was so sweet to share this experience with her before she went off to college,” the mom gushed.<\/p>\n

While Gaines and Ella focused on the cottage, Chip and their sons focused on fishing behind the property.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can take the boys out of Texas, but you can\u2019t take Texas out of the boys. Chip and Crew love fishing together at home, but this river behind the property is the dreamiest spot for them to practice a new hobby: the art of fly fishing,” she explained.<\/p>\n

The Magnolia Journal Winter 2025 Issue hits newsstands on Friday, Nov. 14 and can be purchased online now at Magazines.com.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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