Holiday Homemaking 2026 | Week 1
Merry Christmas, Homemaker! Holiday Homemaking is back for its sixth year, and Week One brings three homemakers into the conversation with their Christmas tables, traditions, and tips about keeping Christ at the center of it all.
Pam Stockdale is here from Tennessee, where Christmas morning means chocolate gravy over biscuits, bacon, and Tennessee Pride sausage. Pam talks about raising a family without Christmas debt, the shrimp dip her kids won't let her skip, her collection of nativities from the countries she and her husband have visited, and the way she has to reel herself in when the giving gets to be too much.
Colleen Rockwell hosts Christmas Eve for 25 to 30 people in northern New Jersey and sends every family home with a cinnamon star bread to warm up on Christmas morning. She shares about her Griswold-level outdoor lights, the kids' cookie decorating party, and the Advent wreath and "Christmas school" keeping December anchored for her family.
Amanda Webb's Christmas is a three-day party: brunch and gifts at her mother-in-law's, a Thanksgiving-sized lunch at her uncle's house, reindeer games back at the in-laws', and "Christmas Adam" on December 23, an overnight cousin sleepover that has become the kids' favorite event of the year. She also shares the ornaments she and her husband add to every year and the tree skirt they've been writing on with glitter glue since their first Christmas in 2013.
You'll also hear a Christmas poem from the 1800s, "This Is Christmas Morn" by Edwin Waugh, and part one of L. M. Montgomery's short story "Christmas at Red Butte" from The Art of Home's Literary Christmas, Volume 2. Part two comes next week.
Wherever this season finds you, take the ideas that fit your home and feel free to let the rest go.
Listen to the full episode in your podcast player or right here with the button below.
Show Notes
Homemaker's Journal — Fall/Holiday 2026: 15 holiday recipes, free downloads, articles, playlists, reading lists, and resources for holiday homemaking, in print and digital. Allison recommends ordering by the end of November to allow time for processing and shipping. homemakersjournal.com
The Art of Home Advent Guide (expanded edition): Coming November 9, 2026!
Holiday Homemaking back catalog: Every Christmas episode since 2021 has been re-released and gathered together under Season 31 in your podcast app. Show notes with past seasons' recipes are still being posted.
Recipes from This Week's Homemakers
From Pam's Kitchen: South Dakota Shrimp Dip
From Colleen's kitchen
Cinnamon star bread, made and frozen ahead, then warmed in the oven on Christmas morning.
Oreo truffle balls: crushed single-stuffed Oreos mixed with cream cheese, dipped in chocolate, drizzled with red and green, and refrigerated.
Sugar cookies finished with an egg wash and colored sugar before baking instead of frosting.
From Amanda's Kitchen: The Best Stuffed Mushrooms
Books, Poems & Movies Mentioned
"Christmas at Red Butte" — L. M. Montgomery; part one in this episode, part two next week.
"This Is Christmas Morn" — Edwin Waugh (1817–1890).
It's a Wonderful Life — all three guests named it their favorite holiday movie; Amanda recommends the colorized version.
Holiday Inn — Amanda's New Year's traditional must watch.
The Man Who Invented Christmas — Amanda's newer favorite movie.
Mr. Dickens and His Carol — Allison's audiobook recommendation for anyone who loved The Man Who Invented Christmas.
Carols our guests named: "White Christmas" (Bing Crosby), "Away in a Manger," and "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus."
More from The Art of Home
Holiday Homemaking Q&A with Jessica Fisher — last week's listener Q&A on December birthdays, dietary needs, small spaces, stockings, and Advent with little ones.
Holiday Homemaking Ramble with Jessica Fisher — our conversation on holding Christmas with open hands.
Holiday Hospitality with Melissa Austin-Weeks — making hosting easier and serving guests thoughtfully.
Join the conversation: This episode's emoji is a gemstone 💎. Send one and tell me what good act of God you want to remember and celebrate this holiday season. Use the "text me" link in your podcast player or email contact@theartofhomepodcast.com.
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