My folks were always up to thangs this time of year to make thangs magical for my brothers and I: decorating the house down, those home cooked meals (we talking soul food, hunny), Christmas movie nights, visiting the mall Santa, blasting those Christmas vinyl records, gathering family + friends ... the Griffin family always ended the year right, gurl And my folks were creative ...one Christmas Eve, before my little brother was born, money was tight for the family so new toys wasn’t gonna happen that year. Instead, that night, my dad pulled out and sorted in front of the tree all my favorite toys he and my mom had bought throughout the year, and gurl when Christmas morning came I got my whole entire life! Even though I was a toddler, I still remember that Christmas to this day ... it wasn’t about the toys for me, it was the energy, effort and thoughtfulness that my folks put into all aspects of this time of year. I would go back to this moment in a heartbeat if I could ❤️ Photo 1: Christmas Eve circa 1991 Photo 2: THAT Christmas morning reveal Photo 3: New phone, who dis? Photo 4: My brothers and I at my grandma’s house one Christmas (I was hungry and ready to eat, gurl) Photo 5: My folks looking all young, fierce, and festive AF now, as the auntie of two fabulous and fierce nieces I have the chance to co-create that same sense of holiday magic and wonderment with my brother and sister-in-law ... and dahling, it does the heart good .... binge watching holiday classics, convincing the kids to go to bed early, putting out the almond milk and cookies, wrapping and setting up presents at 2am, then a few hours of sleep before my nieces are gently tapping on my shoulders whispering in my ear “it’s Christmas!” .... priceless holiday moments that I’ll forever cherish Photo 6: Rylee, Skylar, and their FAV auntie Photo 7: Skylar serving “I am the gift” realness Photo 8: Rylee loving her @squishmallows (I’m still learning what the kids like these days) Photo: 9: Christmas morning chicness Photo 10: A Griffin PSA moment, hunny #christmasmorning #holidays #holidayseason