Do you or your family make any special dishes for the holidays?

Hey, let’s just get real about this—food matters. Especially during the holidays, right? You get the family together, you’ve got the decorations up, and everybody’s all joyful… but what they’re really thinking is, “What’s on the table?” Food has this way of bringing us together. It’s like God designed it that way—good food, good people, and good memories. So today, I’m gonna share a little about what we whip up during the holidays, and I’ll tell you right now, it’s nothing fancy. But man, it’s special to us.

Chicken Spaghetti: The Dish That Turned Into a Showdown

Okay, let me just set the stage for you. One year, we decided to try this chicken spaghetti with spicy Mexican Velveeta cheese—and I’m telling you, it was like heaven in a casserole dish. Creamy, cheesy, just enough spice to let you know it’s alive. Now here’s the thing… we didn’t make enough.

Big mistake. Rookie move.

By the time people started going for seconds, it got… let’s call it “competitive.” Folks were jockeying for position, sneaking extra scoops when no one was looking. And when it was time to pack up leftovers? Oh, you’d have thought we were handing out gold bars. People were bartering. I’m pretty sure one cousin offered to babysit for a week in exchange for the last serving. Lesson learned: next time, double the recipe. Because, honestly, that stuff is a crowd-pleaser, and apparently, it’s worth fighting over.

Dad’s Dessert: The Mystery Masterpiece

Now, let me tell you about my dad’s dessert. It doesn’t even have a name—no joke. It’s just… The Dessert. That’s what we call it. But don’t let the lack of a title fool you, because this thing is legendary.

Picture this: a pecan crust holding together layers of cream cheese, chocolate pudding, vanilla pudding, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, and cherries on top. I mean, come on. How do you even name something like that? It’s like trying to name a sunset.

And let me just say, if you’re on a diet, this is the dessert that’ll make you throw all your good intentions right out the window. The first bite hits you with that creamy, chocolatey goodness, and by the third bite, you’re already planning to come back for seconds—even if it means hiding a piece in the fridge and putting your name on it. (Yes, people in our house do that.)

Mom’s Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole: Veggies, but Make Them Divine

Now, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Ugh, vegetables,” you need to hear about my mom’s broccoli-cauliflower casserole. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill healthy side dish. Oh no. Mom works her magic with this one.

It’s creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection. There’s something about the way the cheese blends with the broccoli and cauliflower that’ll make even the most veggie-averse person go back for more. I’ve seen grown adults—who won’t touch a salad with a ten-foot pole—lick their plates clean when this dish is on the table. It’s that good.

And here’s the thing: Mom doesn’t make it halfway. She doesn’t skimp on the cheese, doesn’t hold back on the seasoning. She goes all in, because she knows that food—real, honest-to-goodness, made-with-love food—is a gift.

It’s Not Just Food, It’s Family

At the end of the day, it’s not really about what’s on the table, is it? It’s about the people sitting around it. Sure, the chicken spaghetti is amazing, and Dad’s dessert could win awards, and Mom’s casserole could convert a veggie-hater. But what makes those dishes special isn’t just the taste—it’s the stories, the laughter, and the love that come with them.

I’ll never forget that first year we made the chicken spaghetti and people were practically arm-wrestling for leftovers. Or the time Dad forgot to buy cherries for the dessert and improvised with strawberries (it worked, but it wasn’t the same). Or how Mom always says, “This year, I’m keeping it simple,” and then ends up making enough food to feed a small army.

So yeah, the holidays at our house? They’re messy, loud, and full of food that probably isn’t great for your cholesterol. But they’re also full of love. And really, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some chicken spaghetti to make. And this year, I’m making a double batch.

—Joshua L Mullins