Being a mom in the age of social media is a double-edged sword. There are so many benefits... I mean, what mom hasn't Googled Tylenol dosage or their child's symptoms at 2am?

Not to mention the mommy boards... I was lucky to be a member of one that was super supportive; they gave me all the information and left judgement at the door.

But as my girls get older, the pressure to have the perfect “Pinterest Christmas” gets more and more intense.

All you see on every social media outlet is the most thoughtful and time-consuming “Elf on the Shelf” idea (I can't remember if I ate breakfast - how am I going to remember to move an elf?!).

The perfect gingerbread house and matching sugar cookies (I'll be lucky if we have any candy or icing left to decorate once my three year old and husband get ahold of them…)

And don't even get me started on the Christmas trees! If you look at my Christmas tree, you will probably laugh. All the ornaments are at chest level and above because the teething 10-month old thinks they are toys and the three year old thinks she can play with them whenever she pleases.

There are so many holes where an ornament should be but isn't because my daughter refuses to turn the lights off long enough to tell, and my Christmas tree skirt is frayed because burlap can't withstand 3 Christmases with a baby...

It all looks like the anti-Pinterest… AND I LOVE EVERY SQUARE INCH OF IT!

I love unique, eclectic things that speak to people's’ individuality. I founded my online shop, LilyRose Co Designs, to fulfill my crafting passion and create custom, one-of-a-kind apparel and merchandise designs.

I like to remind myself that Christmas is about giving, and with LilyRose Co Designs, I get to give customers exactly what they want in each and every order.

I’m not saying I’m Santa or anything, BUT I do have somewhat of a workshop (aka home office/craft corner) and two darling little elves who keep me busy all year round.

For me, Christmas isn't about the Elf on the Shelf. We don't even own one (although, I'm not above threatening my 3-year old with a call to Santa if her attitude reaches Grinch level.)

It’s not about a perfect gingerbread house or sugar cookies. We make red and green rice crispy treats, and that’s the extent of our festive baking traditions.

It's not about having a perfect Christmas tree. My daughter pointed and told me where to place each and every ornament, and she is SO proud if it.

We don't go out to the local crowded Christmas Tree Lane or Zoo Lights - all those people cause me WAY too much stress, so we stay home and watch Polar Express, Elf, The Star, and once the kids are in bed, Christmas Vacation.
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It is so easy to get wrapped up in having the perfect Pinterest-y, Instagram-worthy Christmas. But is it worth the stress? I don't think so.

Why not focus on the things that bring you and your family joy? Unfollow the accounts that make you feel less than and ditch the Pinterest boards that stress you out.

Enjoy the Christmas that you want to have!

Happy Holidays, -Brittaney

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Brittaney lives in California’s Central Valley with her husband and their three-year old and ten-month old daughters, who are the inspiration behind her online shop, LilyRose Co. Designs.

First, Brittaney started making onesies for her own girls, then started making some for friends, then t-shirts for local sports teams and bachelorette parties, and before she knew it, what had started out as a hobby became a full-time business.

A self-described people pleaser, Brittaney likes to create cute, affordable, custom products as a way “to put smiles on people’s faces.” You can shop her adorable selection of mama merchandise here.