Joanna Gaines Breaks Tradition With Her Christmas Tree — And Fans Are Loving It

In the age of obsessively documenting every move we make, there's a mounting pressure to maintain a picture-perfect life at all times. We're constantly inundated with a stream of seemingly idyllic snapshots on social media. The result can be a drive to make sure your home, decor, and lifestyle come across as sparkly as possible. This can be especially true for big occasions like Christmas. Joanna Gaines did her part in dismantling this facade by sharing her own departure from traditional expectations. "This is my vintage-inspired tree — feeling the need for some nostalgia and whimsy," Joanna shared in the caption of a recent Instagram post, "Full transparency, I focused only on the front and ran out of ornaments. The sides are bare". 

Even the queen of DIY and home decor is keeping it real and embracing the messy, imperfect authenticity of real life. Perhaps unintentionally, we received the best possible decorating solution from Joanna Gaines. Instead of feigning perfection, she showed us the reality of being an occupied business owner and mother. Even when you value and enjoy maintaining an aesthetically pleasing home, there's no need to fuss over making everything look immaculate all the time. Sometimes you run out of ornaments and can't fill out the whole tree — c'est la vie! These special occasions are meant to be experienced in all their imperfection. 

Joanna confessed that she's a part of the "decorate for Christmas early" crowd. "I like to pace my Christmas decorating and do a little adding every weekend until our big mama live tree arrives late November," she reported on her post. If you're in the same camp, you're probably already getting your own decor up. As we're forging forward into the holiday season, lose the stress of the holiday season by leaning into what feels authentic to you. Whether you're decorating for Christmas on a budget or striving for something more extravagant this year, don't pressure yourself to pull it off perfectly.

If you're aiming to decorate like Joanna, lean on nostalgic Christmas trends and that signature, rustic charm by repurposing old family ornaments and asking your children to make new, one-of-a-kind decorations. Heirloom keepsakes are always the most valuable and cherished Christmas decorations, and you can't go wrong with a generations-old piece that brings you warm memories. For more tips for a homey, rustic Christmas a la Joanna Gaines, add some cozy amber lighting with vintage incandescent string lights. Craft DIY Christmas decor with your friends and family. Don't be afraid to infuse less-than-aesthetic personal elements into your decor and don't sweat the little imperfections. So what if you only fill half your Christmas tree? It might not be Instagrammable, but it's authentic. Let's strive for more of that and less kicking ourselves for not living up to the polished images we see on social media. Leave behind the holiday perfection and lean into your own version of cozy-chic.