Some of the best Christmas memories aren’t the ones you planned. They aren’t the perfect photos or the polished events. They sneak in when you're not looking.

This morning, my family let me sleep in. (truly the best gift…am I right???) I woke up to the sound of laughter coming from the kitchen.

When I finally wandered in, I found them deep in icing decorating a gingerbread house. Candy everywhere. And the kind of joy that doesn’t come from a schedule, but from being completely present.

There was no big plan for this morning. No checklist. No expectations. And maybe that’s what made it so good.

In all the hustle of December, it’s easy to feel like you need to create something big to make the season count. But honestly, the best part is when everyone is relaxed and together. When something simple turns into something lasting.

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the season, here’s your reminder:

Let go of the pressure to do it all
Say yes to quiet mornings
Laugh when the frosting ends up everywhere
Remember that joy often shows up when no one is trying

This is where it’s at. These are the moments they’ll remember. And so will I.

And in full honesty, what you don't see here is the battle that followed when I asked them to clean up the kitchen. Frosting on the floor, sprinkles in places I didn’t know sprinkles could go, and some serious whining about who made which mess. We are far from a perfect family, but the mess and the memories come as a package deal.