Kellie Pickler Readies for ‘Chaotic’ Holidays

Now that the holidays are upon us, country artists are among those taking time off from the road and the studio, to hang out with friends and family. While some find the slower-paced life a bit difficult to adjust to, Kellie Pickler relishes the opportunity to relax with her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs, and her loved ones.

"I have the most amazing, amazing friends, that I cherish and value," Kellie tells The Boot. "I have a really, really close group of friends that I surround myself by, and those people know who they are. They really keep me Kellie. They wouldn't allow me to be anything but Kellie. I'm not 'Kellie Pickler' when I'm not on stage. I'm just Kellie, and that's how they treat me. I live a very normal life."

The singer insists that, in spite of her career in the spotlight, she really lives a very normal, non-celebrity existence. "I'm a homebody," she explains. "[Kyle and I] love to just order pizza and watch a movie on-demand. We'll go the movie theater. I don't ever wear make-up or anything. Kyle says, 'People are going to see more of Kellie off stage, because on stage, that's when you dress up and you're going to work.' But I think with some of the music, you kind of get to see the Kellie that my friends know."

The 25-year-old may spend more time with her family during the holidays, but she tries to keep the people she cherishes close to her year-round. "I have crazy friends and crazy relatives, so there's never a dull moment," she says with a smile. "We're just so normal. Our house is chaotic, and my grandpa Ken lives with us. It's like the 'King of Queens'-gone-redneck-style. If my grandpa's not mooning the Grayline tour bus, then my brother's throwing eggs at it. My house is crazy. All my friends stay with us ... We know how to throw down."

Even with Christmas only a few weeks away, there isn't anything specific the 'Tough' singer hopes will be waiting for her under the Christmas tree. "I'm really less is more," the blond beauty reasons. "I really don't need anything except good people, good company."

Kellie will have plenty to get her into a festive mood in the next few weeks. She'll join Jennifer Nettles, Faith Hill, Amy Grant, Lauren Alaina, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban on the 'CMA Country Christmas,' which airs Thursday (Dec. 1) at 9:00 PM ET on ABC. She'll also perform with Michael Bublé on his NBC special, 'A Michael Bublé Christmas,' which airs Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 8:00 PM ET.