In a few days, Americans will celebrate Christmas — one of the most beloved holidays of the year. For rural America, the Christmas season brings traditions unique to a certain way of life where family plays an essential role.

Historically, big families helped keep farms operating. Unsurprisingly, holidays were large family affairs bridging the end of the harvest to the beginning of the planting season. They were (and still are) a moment of rest in a hectic year.

Even as farming techniques evolve, large holiday gatherings are still as important now as they were in the past. Despite the effects of COVID-19 preventing large-scale gatherings, there are still holiday traditions taking place this year.

One celebrated tradition is cooking. This can range from the hectic big Christmas dinner with multiple cooks to a baker making cookies with a secret family recipe. For some families, freshly caught and roasted Christmas turkey is the centerpiece of the table. For others, a honey-glazed ham takes center stage. No matter what is on the table, the process of gathering and creating something delicious for the family is important in America’s heartland.

Even though the holidays are a time of rest, the work on the farm does not have the luxury of taking a full pause. Chores are still a part of day-to-day life. For some kids, those chores are all that stands between them and the frantic tearing of wrapping paper on presents that once sat so pretty underneath the Christmas tree. But, animals need to be fed and tended.

Christmas provides the backdrop for families getting together. They can sit down and share stories of years past. People can make new memories with their families. Children (and maybe some adults) experience the joy of waking up on Christmas morning and seeing what Santa brought them. For the grown-ups, this is a moment to see relatives spread across the country, brought back to a historic farm that has been in the family for generations. It’s a moment to get carried away, in laughter and memories to reminisce and look forward to the year ahead. The Christmas season is about living past traditions and setting new traditions for years to come.

Do you have any long-standing Christmas traditions? Or the traditions you want to establish? Connect with us on ​Twitter​ and ​Facebook​. We would love to hear how you and your family choose to celebrate the holidays.

To share your wheat story with WestBred, contact us at the.tiller@westbred.com

WestBred and Design® and WestBred® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2020 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.