When we think of the Christmas season, it’s easy to focus on the sparkling lights, the smell of baked goods, and the joy of family gatherings. But many of the things we cherish during the holidays are made possible by industries that often go unnoticed. From the livestock raised on ranches to the oil and gas that powers our holiday travel, these industries play a vital role in creating the holiday magic.
Beef

With precision and care, a butcher skillfully prepares high-quality cuts. Photo by Halle Munson, NRHC Communications Intern.
For many families, Christmas dinner is a highlight of the season. Whether it’s prime rib roast, a tender steak, or a slow-cooked brisket, beef is often the centerpiece of the meal. Ranchers who raise cattle ensure that high-quality beef makes it to your holiday table, allowing you to enjoy these delicious dishes that bring loved ones together.
Calving Season
The holiday season coincides with a crucial time of year on many ranches: calving season. While most of the country is celebrating Christmas with family gatherings, ranchers are hard at work delivering new calves into the world, ensuring their herds grow and thrive for the coming year.

Two curious calves pause for a staring contest! Photo taken by Halle Munson.
Though calving can be a challenging time for ranchers—full of sleepless nights, long hours, and sometimes difficult births, it’s also a time of joy and renewal. Baby calves represent the future of the ranch, and their birth during the winter months reminds us of hope, new beginnings, and continued success on a ranch.
For those who raise cattle, calving season is a time of tradition and pride. It’s a reminder of the work that goes into producing the beef we eat and the sense of connection to the land and animals that defines ranch life. While most people enjoy their holiday meals without thinking about the work behind them, ranchers’ work never stops.
Leather Goods
Another important product that comes from ranching is leather. Leather is used to make everything from boots and belts to bags and jackets, and it’s a popular gift during the holiday season. The leather that is used for these items comes directly from the livestock raised on ranches.

Although there are many types of hides, cattle-hide is most commonly used in crafting a saddle.
Cowhide leather is particularly valuable in the creation of quality, durable products. This includes everything from cowboy boots, stylish wallets, belts, saddles and chaps. Many ranchers are involved in the production of leather goods, either by raising the cattle from which the leather is sourced or by working directly with tanneries to ensure the leather meets high standards.
Cotton & Wool Products

At the cotton gin, the cotton has reached the final stage of production and is now ready to be transformed into clothing, blankets, and countless other essentials. Photo taken by Halle Munson.
Wool is another product that plays a significant role in keeping us warm during the holiday season. Sheep, which are raised on ranches, provide wool used to create a wide range of winter garments. Many people rely on wool sweaters, socks, scarves, and blankets to stay cozy during the winter months.
During the holiday season, wool also plays a role in decorations. Handcrafted wool ornaments, cozy wool throws for the couch, and even woolen stockings are all part of the charm that comes with the holidays. For ranchers who raise sheep, the wool harvest is a key part of their livelihood, and ranchers take pride in producing high-quality wool that is used in everything from luxury fashion items to practical winter wear.
Whether it’s a soft wool sweater you wear while lounging by the fire or a wool blanket draped over your bed, wool products are a physical reminder of the ranching industry’s impact on the holidays.
Cotton, too, plays a hidden yet significant role in the holidays. Many people give cotton-based gifts, such as soft cotton pajamas, cozy sheets, and plush blankets during the holiday season.
Cotton is grown in fields across the country, and its fibers are woven into fabrics that contribute to our comfort and warmth during the colder months. Think of the cotton blankets that wrap you up during a chilly evening or the cotton socks you slip on after a long day of holiday activities. In addition, cotton is often a key component in your favorite holiday crafts. It’s a material that brings softness, durability, and warmth to our homes and hearts.
Horses
Horses have long been intertwined with ranching life. For ranchers, horses are not just tools for working the land but are also a vital part of the ranching heritage and culture.
Horses often appear in holiday traditions, they might be featured in Christmas parades or used to pull sleighs and wagons through snowy fields, adding a touch of magic to the season. For many ranchers, horseback riding is a beloved way to celebrate Christmas, spending time outdoors with their trusted companions.
Oil and Gas
While ranching is often associated with agriculture and livestock, it’s also deeply connected to the energy industry. Oil and gas are critical to our daily lives, especially during the holidays. From fueling the vehicles that transport us to family gatherings to powering the heat in our homes, oil and gas are essential to the Christmas season.

A pump jack stands against a quiet sky, a symbol of energy in West Texas. Photo by Halle Munson.
Ranching communities often have close ties to the energy industry. Many ranchers and farmers also work in or around the oil and gas sectors, and the revenues from these industries help support rural economies. Additionally, the machinery essential to ranching operations—including tractors, trucks, and equipment for processing and transporting livestock—relies on oil and gas, making these resources indispensable.
As we gather around the Christmas table this year, it’s important to remember the many industries that work behind the scenes to make our celebrations possible. The next time you enjoy a festive meal, unwrap a leather gift, or warm up by the fire with a wool blanket, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of those in the ranching and energy sectors. They are the unsung heroes of the season, ensuring that our holidays are full of warmth, joy, celebration and tradition.