My boys absolutely love gingerbread cookies. Those weren't one of the cookies my mom made growing up, so I had to adult a bit and find my own recipe.

Thanks to a 2009 Christmas issue of a Southern Living Magazine, I have one that's our go-to.

They really are delicious. And not too hard to make.

But as for the decorating . . . I just can't get them to look cute.

This was my best effort this year 😜 And honestly from here, it was just downhill . . . the later ones got pretty messy.

When I first started making them over a decade ago, I was determined to decorate them as cute as they were in the magazine.

But now, I don't even really try. Just scribble on some pre-packaged cookie icing, a few sprinkles, and call it a day.

Decorating cookies is more about being a good artist, and I am just not.

What I am good at though is following a recipe and making cookies that taste amazing.

And let's be honest, it's the taste that matters, right? Nobody wants cute cookies that taste ick.

Like my favorite British cooking competition show host says, "That's just style over substance" (ahem, Paul Hollywood if you don't know the reference).

I've gotten stuck in the "pressure to be pretty" in my business as well, and I know I'm not the only one.

I've spent too much energy before on having my business look impressive on the outside, while not making sure its producing impressive results on the inside.

Style over substance, just like Paul says.

Can you relate? I feel like in our world there is a pressure to have a Pretty Little Business.

And while I do think it's important to have a solid brand (especially if you are selling higher end items to higher end customers), I wonder why we care so much about how our business looks to others? What matters is what it's doing for us and our families.

So in the new year, I am recommitting to Substance over Style.

Just like my kids only care about how the gingerbread cookies taste, I need to only really care about making sure my business meets our family's needs.

If this is resonating with you at all, I encourage you to spend some time over the holiday break thinking through these ideas:

👉 Focusing on what you're really good at over what impresses other people is where you will find success.

👉 Social media likes and viral reels don't always translate to money in your pocket. Are you chasing the right metrics?

👉 Profit is the most important bottom line. If something isn't profitable, it's not worth your time, unless it brings you great joy and satisfaction.

Did you hear the news? Last week I shared on my Facebook page that I'll be heading back to the UK in February for another antique shopping trip! This one came about unexpectedly, so I'll have a lot more to share in January 🤗 And speaking of English finds, a whole new lot of teal glass inkwells has landed in the online shop.You can see all the available at the link. ​ Shop the Inkwells Here

If you're curious to see more of our family's holiday traditions, I shared them all awhile back in a YouTube video that you can see here.

Fair warning, there are some teenage boy antics on here 😜

In the video, I share about a fun family Christmas board game we found when the kids were young.

It's called To Bethlehem, and if you would like to get your own game, you can find it here.

(and that's not an affiliate link, I just really enjoy the game and think you may too!)

Thanks everyone for being with me here today. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

And here's to a year full of substance and results.

Melanie Alexander Owner Lost & Found ​LostandFoundDecor.com​