This party is the highlight of my year. It’s been rolling since around 2010—gumbo on the stove, potluck dishes on every surface, cheap awkward gifts, and friends packed into a house that was never designed for this many people. Loud, messy, familiar… and exactly right.

On the Fifth Post of Christmas…

Our Christmas decorations may only be out for a few weeks, but they completely transform our home. From villages and nativities to handmade touches and a familiar elf, the clutter and chaos are part of the charm. For a short season, the ordinary steps aside—and something special takes its place.

On the Fourth Post of Christmas…

We don’t do Elf on the Shelf—but we do have our own elf who shows up every year with the same magic and mischief. Turns out the joy isn’t in the branding, but in the tradition. Tongs, gloves, and creativity included.