My sister-in-law Brittany is obsessed with neutrals—her whole world is beige, gray, oatmeal, and “greige.” From her living room to her wardrobe to her Instagram feed, everything looks like it was dipped in a soft filter. But her five-year-old son, Evan, is the complete opposite—full of life, energy, and a love for bright, joyful colors. So when I spotted a bold red, yellow, and blue toy car that Evan had pointed out in a toy store, I knew it was the perfect birthday gift. He lit up when he saw it, but Brittany?

Her face went stiff. No smile, no thank you. Just a cold, dismissive, “It doesn’t really match our home’s aesthetic.” She set the car aside like it was a mistake. Evan’s little face fell, and it broke my heart. That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Evan deserved better. So I made a plan: for

I would fight back—with color. I secretly rallied the rest of the family, asking them to bring the brightest, boldest, most vibrant gifts they could find. We called it “Rainbow Riot Christmas.” When Christmas morning arrived, Brittany’s pristine neutral living room exploded in color. Evan was in heaven—wrapping paper in every shade flew through the air as he opened capes, puzzles, art supplies, a neon backpack,

and yes, that same colorful toy car. He ran through the house wearing a rainbow superhero cape, giggling nonstop. Brittany looked like she was about to faint, but she couldn’t stop the joy. For once, her beige kingdom was overtaken by real, messy, colorful happiness. Watching Evan light up reminded us all of something important: childhood isn’t a lifestyle brand—it’s about joy, imagination, and color. And no matter how hard Brittany tries, this family isn’t living in beige anymore.