A Christmas Adventure in the Shire
And An Upcoming Name Change
We’re officially less than two weeks away from Christmas! This is both thrilling and a bit overwhelming. This Advent season seems to have flown by, I’m sure that’s partly because Thanksgiving was so late this year.
Today, I find myself battling a head cold and feeling a bit frozen as I compare the calendar to my long list of hopeful holiday to-dos. So, I decided to take a deep breath, settle down, and organize these thoughts into a "Christmas Camp" for my family—a way to savor the days leading up to Christmas with intention and joy.
Christmas is one of my absolute favorite times of year—nostalgia from Christmas past meeting the joy of creating Christmas magic and wonder for my own children. I wanted to share some of my hobbit-inspired Christmas recommendations with you, along with a bit of hobbit-hearted reflection on the beauty of Advent and the Christmas season. Let’s slow down together and embrace the cozy magic of this special time of year.
(Stay tuned til the end for a note on my upcoming name change.)
The Shire (as I am sure you know by now haha) is known for its simplicity, warmth, and joy. Hobbits are creatures who delight in the “ordinary” things—good food, fellowship, and a cozy home.
Aligning their simple way of life with Christmas offers us a gentle reminder to slow down and savor the season. By embracing a Hobbit-inspired yuletide, we can create a celebration filled with gratitude and faith, centered on the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Christ.
Simplify and Celebrate
Hobbits teach us to find joy in the small things… they don’t live for extravagance! Instead, they delight in good company, hearty meals, and the beauty of the natural world. (And comfortable, usually bare feet. I give my stamp of approval!)
As the holiday quickly approaches, consider how you can simplify your Christmas plans to focus on what matters most: family, friends, and your relationship with God.
Jesus Himself came into the world in the most humble of circumstances—born in a stable and laid in a manger. This reminds us that the greatest gifts are not wrapped in glittering paper but found in love, sacrifice, and faith. Reflect on how you can strip away unnecessary busyness to make room for moments of peace and reflection this season. Why waste our time stressing over things that don’t matter in light of eternity with Him!
Ideas for Simplifying Your Christmas:
Trim down your to-do list. Focus on a few meaningful traditions rather than trying to do everything, for everyone.
Practice gratitude by journaling daily or sharing what you’re thankful for as a family. Pause and dwell on what is beautiful, it is so much better for your brain and heartspace. (Curious about the science of gratitude? Start your rabbit hole here.)
Set aside time for quiet reflection and prayer, inviting God to lead your celebrations. Read an advent devotion or spend some time in worship. Even classic Christmas hymns and carols will do the trick! This album by Tommee Profitt is my favorite, it moves me to tears every year. Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or watch the live concert on YouTube below.
Cozy Hobbit Traditions
So much of the Shire’s charm lies in its coziness—warm fires, well-stocked pantries (when not raided by unwelcome dwarves), and homes filled with love.
You can bring this hobbit-like atmosphere into your Christmas by leaning into simple, heartwarming traditions that emphasize togetherness and joy.
Hobbit-Inspired Activities:
Bake Together: Make a day of baking bread, mince pies, or ginger cookies. As you work, listen to your favorite Christmas playlist or a Christmas audiobook. Even the Bible is available for listening, give Luke a try and share your thoughts on Jesus’s birth and discuss what the season means to you.
Sing Carols by Candlelight: Hobbits love music! Gather your family and sing hymns or carols by the glow of candles and twinkle lights, reflect on the light Christ brings to the world (John 1:4-5). And the light we get to be as we reflect Him!
Create Natural Decorations: Hobbits are closely tied to nature. Much like in my guide to Thanksgiving, you can forage for greenery, pinecones, and berries to make simple, beautiful garlands or wreaths. You can also craft ornaments using dried orange slices or salt dough stars, celebrating the beauty of God’s creation and traditions of old!
Faith and Fellowship
Fellowship is at the heart of hobbit life, and it’s a cornerstone of the Christmas story as well! The birth of Christ brought shepherds and wise men together in worship, and today, it continues to unite us in love and joy.
This Christmas, prioritize relationships. Just as hobbits enjoy simple gatherings around the table, consider how you can extend hospitality to those around you. Whether it’s a family feast or a quiet tea shared with a neighbor, these moments of connection reflect the heart of Christ’s ministry.
Ways to Share Fellowship:
Host a Hobbit-inspired Christmas Eve dinner with hearty, comforting dishes like beef stew, roasted vegetables, and seed cake. Read the nativity story (Luke 2:1-20) together before the meal.
Alternative Option - a shepherd’s dinner! Recreate a simple, humble meal inspired by what the shepherds might have eaten on the night of Christ’s birth. Serve foods like flatbreads, cheeses, dried fruits, nuts, and lentil soup. Gather around a candlelit table and chat about the shepherds’ awe as they heard the angel’s proclamation of good news.
Deliver small, thoughtful gifts to friends and neighbors, such as homemade cookies or a handwritten note with a Bible verse. I love baking rosemary focaccia to hand out!
Spend an evening praying together as a family, giving thanks for God’s blessings and lifting up others in need. Family worship is such an intimate, beautiful time— and what a gift to offer our Savior for His birthday. ♡
The Heart of the Season
At its core, for believers, Christmas is about celebrating the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Just as hobbits find peace and joy in their quiet lives, we are invited to find peace in Christ—the Prince of Peace who came to reconcile us to God.
As you create your own hobbit-inspired yuletide, remember that it’s not about perfection but about presence. God’s presence in the manger changed the world, and His presence in your home can transform your Christmas into a time of hope, love, and joy. The Prince of Shalom offers Himself freely for you to accept.
The root word of Shalom is “shalam”—used numerous times throughout Scripture. Its more than just a quiet peace, it goes much deeper. The Shalom we receive through Christ points to definitions like “full restitution,” “restore,” “to make something whole,” “wholeness,” “well-being,” “peaceful relations.”
“The depth of Shalom is that it is a recognition of the big picture (ie. the complete picture), the commandments and teachings, and being aware of one’s relationship with God, which is the truest, long-lasting form of peace. If the Torah and its ways are Shalom, and God is Shalom then at its core anything divine and intended for our betterment is going to follow suit. Hebrew has plenty of other similar words to 'peace' like raguah (relax), and manucha (rest, calm), but none have the same significance as shalom.”
When you greet someone or say goodbye with Shalom, you are literally saying, “may you be full of well-being” or, “may health and prosperity be upon you.”
How timely as this week of Advent we dwell on “Peace!”
Living Books For Christmas Reading
Hobbits, at least our dear Bilbo and Frodo, have a love of the written word. Here are a few lovely, fulfilling books our family is reading this season:
Great Joy by Kate DiCamillo
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski
Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco
Santa is Coming To Cleveland by Steve Smallman
A daily reading from All Creation Waits by Gayle Boss - a family Advent devotional
The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum
A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories by Louisa May Alcott
Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien
Additional Hobbit Goodies for the Christmas Season
This fantastic Christmas in the Shire song that brings humor and joy to my little Hobbit heart:
I love to have an ambient video of snowfall or a fire crackling while we read or do crafts. Here are a few hobbity YouTube options to brighten your phone or TV:
Winter in the Shire Music & Ambience
Christmas in a Cozy Hobbit Home (no music just snow and a fire)
Only Fire is a fantastic fireplace channel that offers live videos as well, a great option if you want a regular fireplace or a Christmas theme without the Shire.
As we dive into the stories and moments that bring warmth and joy this Christmas season, it's also a beautiful time to ponder the ways we can truly simplify and focus on what matters most.
Reflection/Journal Questions For Your Quiet Time:
How can you simplify your celebrations to focus more on Christ this year?
What small, meaningful traditions can you incorporate to bring peace and joy to your home?
How can you reflect God’s love to those around you during the Christmas season?
This Advent and Christmastide may your home be as cozy as a hobbit hole, your heart as full as a hobbit’s table, and your spirit as joyful as the shepherds on the night they heard the angels sing.
I know this season can bring waves of sorrow or heaviness for many, stirring up painful memories of loss, loneliness, or even strained relationships. If this is where you find yourself, please know my heart is with you.
May you find glimmers of peace and hope, even in the shadows of this season. May your heart be warmed by simple moments of comfort, and may the true joy of Christmas bring light to your soul.
From my little family to yours, we wish you a Christmas filled with tenderness, grace, and cozy moments to treasure.
Name Change Update
As this year draws to a close, so does The Year of the Lifegiving Home book club. After this post, I’ll be changing the name of my Substack to reflect my new focus for 2025: The Hobbit Homemaker!
In the coming year, I plan to write more about hobbit-inspired hygge and coziness, helping us embrace the rest of the winter season. I’ll also dive deeper into the intersection of faith and simple living—exploring the art of hobbit-inspired homemaking and how we can create kingdom homes full of warmth, joy, and intentionality.
Let’s breathe life into our homes in the new year!
Much love,
Alyssa
This is such a comprehensive and wholesome read 😭💕 Thank you for your work on this!