A Quiet Extension of the Holiday

Warm greetings from the Heartland as December draws to a gentle close. The fields are quiet now, the Winter air has settled in, and families across our Amish community are catching their breath after the Christmas Day celebrations. As we write to you this week, we hope you are well and that your own holiday season has brought moments of peace, connection, and simple joy. This week, we wanted to share a bit about a tradition that some Amish families observe during the week of Christmas, a day known as Second Christmas.

Second Christmas falls on December 26 and is observed in various ways across Amish communities. In some places, it is treated almost as fully as Christmas Day itself, while in others, including our own local community, it is a quieter extension of the holiday. The idea of a second day of Christmas has roots in older European customs, including St. Stephen's Day in countries like Germany and Poland, and what many in the United Kingdom know as Boxing Day. Some Amish families continue this tradition, even if they are not fully aware of its historical origins.

Here in our community, Second Christmas is usually a simple day. Most families treat it as a workday, though the pace is slower and more relaxed than usual. Chores still need tending, but there is no rush. Some families choose to stay home and enjoy the quiet after the busyness of Christmas Day. Others may spend time with extended family, especially if relatives have traveled from a distance and are staying over because the scholars are out of school. Children especially enjoy this extra day of freedom, often spending it on games, visits, or simply enjoying a break from their usual routine.

Meals on Second Christmas are rarely elaborate. Leftovers from Christmas Day are the centerpiece, along with the snacks and treats that were prepared earlier in the week. It is a day that asks very little of anyone, which is part of its charm. There is no need for special preparation, no expectation of large gatherings, and no pressure to create another perfect holiday moment. Instead, it becomes a natural extension of Christmas, a day to rest, visit, and let the spirit of the season linger just a little longer.

In some Amish communities, Second Christmas is observed more formally. Families may gather for feasts or fellowship, and the day becomes an opportunity to visit with in-laws or friends who were not seen on Christmas Day itself. This idea of spreading out the celebrations is practical, especially for large families who cannot fit every visit into a single day. It also reflects the Amish emphasis on relationships and the importance of making time for both sides of the family.

Even though our local Amish do not attach a scriptural meaning to Second Christmas, the day still carries a quiet lesson. It reminds families to slow down after the holiday season and enjoy time together without the pressure of a schedule. It teaches that family is important, that rest matters, and that the holiday spirit need not end abruptly when December 25 passes. Sharing leftovers, working together at a gentle pace, and enjoying the company of loved ones all help extend the warmth of Christmas into the days that follow.

Some Amish describe their favorite memories of Second Christmas as the times when the whole family simply stayed home. No big plans, no long trips, just a peaceful day after a full one. Others remember visiting relatives who stayed an extra night, or enjoying the laughter of children grateful for one more day without school. In communities where Second Christmas is more widely celebrated, it becomes a day of fellowship with friends or old youth group companions, a tradition that continues from one generation to the next.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.

This week, instead of separate updates from each family, we are sharing a single combined story. All four families had representatives at a special community work day, and the experience brought everyone together in a way worth telling as a shared moment.

The Yoder, Swarey, Borntrager, and Mast Families Last Saturday was a meaningful day for many local families, as they gathered to cut and split firewood for the New Hope Workshop. The workshop depends on wood heat through the Winter, and keeping the stove supplied is something the community takes to heart. Men and boys arrived early with saws, axes, and splitters, forming small teams that worked steadily through the morning. There was plenty of friendly talk as they compared woodpiles, traded stories from past Winters, and encouraged the younger boys who were eager to help stack the finished pieces.

The women and girls prepared a simple lunch of sandwiches, cookies, and hot coffee, which everyone enjoyed together before returning to the woodpile. The Mast girls brought a basket of fresh rolls, while one of the Swarey boys proudly shared a pie his mother had baked that morning. The Borntrager men said the best part of the day was seeing families from across the district working side by side, each person doing what they could to help. The Yoders mentioned how much the workshop means to them, as it provides a caring environment for Amish children with special needs to feel valued.

By midafternoon, a generous supply of firewood had been cut and stacked, enough to keep the workshop warm through the coldest months for at least the next two years. The families headed home tired but content, grateful for the chance to support a place that brings purpose and belonging to children who depend on it. It was a day filled with effort, fellowship, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing their work would make a real difference in the months ahead.

"With God's help, you can become the wonderful person He had in mind when He created you."

— Amish Wisdom