ONE TO FOLLOW

Lifestyle blogger, Instagram influencer and author Julie Thomas documents her love of country living and creates warm and inviting spaces for her online audience.

Have you ever longed for the simple pleasures of country living,

where interior décor is relaxed yet rich in character, where children run free in wide-open spaces and finding the perfect Christmas tree is just a short prairie walk away? That dream came true for Julie Thomas, a loving wife and mama of three boys, a home and lifestyle blogger (littlefarmstead.com) and the author of Little Farmstead Living.

Julie created a niche community and posts about decorating advice, family recipes and real life living on the homestead. What makes Julie’s accounts so special? She’s personable and shares relatable, heartfelt stories that feel like a visit with a dear friend.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year at Julie’s homestead, and the holiday decorations glow with a warm, jovial ambience. “One of the most fun places to decorate for Christmas would have to be the porch,” says Julie. “It’s kind of like the gift wrapping of the house and it’s the first thing people see.”

For Julie, living at the farmstead is a reminder of how much joy there is in the anticipation of Christmas. Her little farmstead is nothing short of magical, and Julie knows it. “Christmas has always been important to me and my family,” says Julie. “It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!”

[TOP LEFT] PORCH PIZAZZ. Think outside the box or, actually, outside the house! Decorate the porch with a few wintery, snow day inspired things like an antique sled, ice skates or even a small live tree. A stack of firewood and mini trees in galvanized containers provide a rustic welcoming feeling.

[TOP RIGHT] OUTDOOR CHARM. Having outbuildings on the property provides more of a canvas to decorate. It doesn’t need to cost much to add some creative, festive touches to the chicken coop, which is visited daily to feed the chickens and ducks. Mini stockings and a tree from the mountains add to the merriment outdoors.

[TOP] PRECIOUS MEMORIES. The living room Christmas tree is laden with precious family memories. Words can also be used as a visual reminder of the reason Julie’s family celebrates—a large scroll with lyrics from a favorite Christmas carol hangs over the living room mantel.

[LEFT] WRAP IT UP. Even a wrapping station can be decorative and functional when made into a vignette. Julie corralled rolls of wrapping paper into an antique water bucket. “I have a weakness for French bistro chairs, and recently found a weathered red one, which works perfectly as part of this holiday spot,” says Julie.

[TOP RIGHT] SPECIAL TOUCHES. Julie enjoys incorporating time-worn treasures into her holiday décor. A large, antique European dough bowl holds gifts under the tree. Little stacks of vintage books can be found tucked around the house, holding candles or vintage ornaments, and berry branches placed in a large antique French olive bucket add cheer in the entryway.

[RIGHT] A SURPRISE A DAY. One custom Julie’s family enjoys is hanging little white numbered buckets from the chicken nesting boxes in the family room. It’s a unique advent calendar for children to prolong the excitement and anticipation of Christmas! Daily advent surprises might include a small sweet treat, a game for the family to play together, some cookie cutters for baking gingerbread cookies, or an ornament for the tree.

[TOP LEFT] PERFECTLY IMPERFECT. In the dining room, Julie has one of the imperfect but beautiful trees her family brought back from the mountains. The table is decorated simply with a European grain sack runner, seeded eucalyptus, pomegranates and candles. They found the fun handmade “Merry and Bright” sign on the mantel at a charming vintage co-op in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, last year while visiting family.