The Ree Drummond Holiday Tradition That Freezes Christmas in Time
Ree Drummond built an empire on ranch life. But the thing that truly anchors her world happens every December. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and ree drummond holiday tradition.
It is not the lights. It is not the massive ham she roasts each year. It is something far stranger.
The Picket Fence Christmas That Started It All
Ree once told her fans a simple detail that shifted everything. She insists on putting up the picket fence around the Christmas tree. Every single year.
Why a fence? She says it goes back to the early days on the ranch. Her kids were small. The house felt cold. The fence turned a living room into a safe place.
This is not a decorator trick. It is a Ree Drummond holiday tradition rooted in memory.
A Fence Around the Tree
The actual fence she uses is often plain white. Sometimes it is slightly battered. It has never been perfect, and she would not have it any other way.
She places the lights first. Then the wreath. The fence goes up last. That sequence matters. It signals the start of the season.
Her children grew up racing to see if the fence was ready. Now they ask if she needs help. That is the real gift.
What Goes on the Table During a Ree Holiday
A true Drummond Christmas is never just decor. The table tells a different story entirely.
The Big Ham and the Fixings
Ree has served a brown sugar ham for decades. The glaze gets thick and sticky. The kitchen smells like caramel and smoke.
She pairs it with simple sides. Green bean casserole. Mashed potatoes loaded with butter. Rolls she lets rise overnight. Nothing fussy. Everything warm.
The Kids' Favorite Dish
Her children always beg for the same thing. Pizza rolls. She buys the frozen kind. She does not pretend to be a gourmet cook on December 25th.
She just makes sure there is enough food for everyone. That includes guests who show up unannounced. Ranch life taught her that.
How the Holiday Routine Has Shifted Over the Years
Time changes everything, even on a ranch. The kids grew up and moved out. That forced the tradition to evolve.
Fewer People at the Table
Ree does not hide the sadness. She mentions the empty chairs. But she still sets extra plates. It is a small act of hope.
Her husband, Ladd, prefers a quieter Christmas now. He watches the football game. She moves around the kitchen. The rhythm stays familiar.
Passing the Torch
Now she shares her recipes online. Millions of home cooks follow her steps. They recreate her ham and sides in their own homes.
The Ree Drummond holiday tradition lives on through her readers. It is no longer just one family's routine. It has become a shared ritual.
The Ranch Table as a Kind of Therapy
Cooking during the holidays is never just about feeding people. For Ree, it is a way to steady herself.
She has spoken about hard years on the ranch. Droughts nearly broke them financially. But the kitchen remained a safe space.
She chops onions. She measures flour. The noise of a busy kitchen drowns out worry. That is why she refuses to skip a single December.
Why You Might Want Your Own Version
You do not need a ranch to steal this idea. Pick a small ritual that anchors your holiday. A special cookie recipe. A specific playlist. A decoration brought out only in December.
Ree Drummond shows us that traditions do not need to be grand. They just need to be repeated. Year after year after year.
Simple Steps to Build a Ree-Inspired December
Start small. Pick one dish from her cookbook. Write down the steps in a notebook. Do it again next year. Let your kids help. Let them argue over the lights.
Do not aim for perfection. Aim for presence. The fence does not need to be brand new. The ham does not need to win a prize.
The Ree Drummond holiday tradition is not about the food or the fence. It is about choosing the same joy, year after year, in a world that keeps moving.