Our Pretty Modern Farmhouse Will Make You Want to Cozy Up for Christmas

In this post: Step inside our modern farmhouse in the suburbs for a Christmas tour you’ll want to cozy up in – even if things look a little different this year. 

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2020 has been quite a ride hasn’t it, my friend? And honestly, all the craziness has had me going back and forth between feeling super excited for Christmas to feeling kinda blah about it. Which might explain why I’ve gone a little more simple with our modern farmhouse Christmas this year – I just didn’t feel like overdoing it. 

Welcome to Home Made Lovely’s Modern Farmhouse Christmas Tour 2020!

I’m super excited to have you here. 

I’m Shannon, author and founder of Home Made Lovely. 

I created Home Made Lovely to be THE everything home resource that provides all the how-tos and the loving, kick-in-the-pants encouragement that modern mommas need to create (and keep) a peaceful, put-together, cozy home!

And in this post, I’m sharing our 2020 Modern Farmhouse Christmas Home tour, plus a few ‘deep’ thoughts with you with the hopes that maybe it will give you a little inspiration and encouragement to close out this weird year. 

Changing Christmas Plans

Way back in the spring when we were canceling several consecutive holidays and family visits one by one – Easter? Nope. Mother’s Day? Nope. Milestone birthdays? Nope. – I NEVER would have dreamed we’d be doing the same for Christmas. I don’t imagine anyone thought so. 

It’s my goal to always cheer you on and encourage you. I don’t say this to make you sad, honestly.

But rather I wanted to share with you where I’m at and how I’m feeling about Christmas in this very unusual year. In case you feel the same way too. 

You see, Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year.

With my sister and I as the only siblings in Ontario (our brother lives in Alberta with his fiancee – hi Will and Amber!), and our parents not having a place large enough to host all of us, she and I have gotten into a rhythm of rotating the hosting of the major holidays. Each of us takes a turn with every other one. So this year, Easter and Christmas were to be at my house, with Alex hosting Thanksgiving. 

Except Easter didn’t happen. Some major birthday celebrations didn’t happen. (Of course, they happened, we just weren’t able to be together.) 

And now it looks like we won’t be able to be together at Christmas either. 

We have rarely missed celebrating a major holiday together in the last decade or more – and only then because one of the kids was sick or something. Since they’ve gotten older, that has occurred way less than when they were little. 

To say we are all disappointed is an understatement. 

My sister and I didn’t always get along. But Jesus does wonderful things and as adults, we quite enjoy each other’s company. And it’s a huge bonus that our hubbies might as well be brothers themselves since they get along so well. Plus, our combined five kids have also really grown to love spending time with each other. 

All that to say that I was REALLY looking forward to decking the halls and making our house look all modern farmhouse Christmas-y for them to come and visit this year. 

The years they come here, I usually go all out and decorate big. And I tend to decorate a little less big when it’s just the five of us here. Not that I skimp on anything. I just know my sis likes Christmas a lot and she loves red way more than I do. 😉 

But I need to remember that just because events are canceled…

Christmas is NOT Cancelled

Okay, so Christmas IS likely going to look a lot different for most of us this year. Whether that’s because of not being able to visit with family in-person, or job loss, or sickness. 

And maybe you’re feeling like I do and don’t feel like decorating quite as much. Or maybe you want to decorate even more than usual. Either way…

We can still celebrate…because Jesus was born. 

Jesus came and changed everything:

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” – Matthew 1:23
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” – John 1:5-11

I encourage you – and quite honestly, I’m encouraging myself a little here too – to be inspired by all the decor and home tours but to keep the true meaning of Christmas front and center. 

• If you don’t feel like pulling out all the Christmas bins, don’t. Just sprinkle a little Christmas joy here and there. 
• If you can’t visit with your families in person, try a family zoom call (or Skype – anyone remember Skype?).
• Cook a traditional Christmas meal on a smaller scale for you and whoever lives in your house with you.
• Maybe drop off a gift card for your neighbors for Skip the Dishes or Uber Eats. Or the LCBO if you’ve got fun neighbors like we do. 😉 
• Make a donation (if you can) to the local food bank or shelter (visit their website or call to find out what they are accepting right now).
• Look up and read all the Bible stories about Jesus’ birth.
• Light a few twinkle lights – I promise they make everything better! 😉 

And if you’re the one in need of help this year, please reach out to your local church, shelter, or neighbors. We ALL need help at some point and there is zero shame in that. 

Basically what I’m trying to say is that this year has been different than anything anyone alive has ever experienced before.

But we will get through it.

Just keep your hope and focus on the one true thing that never changes and He will give you peace. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

Are you feeling like lots of decor or just a little this year? What did you think of our 2020 modern farmhouse Christmas tour?