For Michelle Illig, the holiday season is more than twinkling lights and festive gatherings. It is a heartfelt reminder of what matters most. Though originally from the Chicagoland area, Michelle has spent the past twelve years building a beautiful life and creating meaningful traditions in Kansas City. Now, with her husband, Brian, and two children, her home radiates warmth, and she has found new ways to celebrate the magic of the season.
“Although I miss my family and friends from Chicago,” Michelle shares, “I’ve loved creating new traditions and memories here. Especially now with two children of my own, the magic feels alive in every corner of the house. For Brian and I, the holidays mean connection, the blending of old traditions and new memories that we’ll carry on for years to come.”
Stepping into the Illig home feels like being wrapped in a welcoming embrace. The entryway, filled with natural light and rich architectural details, sets a tone that is both elegant and inviting. “We wanted the entryway to feel like an embrace, sophisticated, warm, and elegant,” Michelle explains. “The softly lit pair of Christmas trees sets the tone, elegant, sparkling, and softly glowing. It’s a perfect welcome that can be enjoyed both visually and socially as we sit around the table with friends.”
This year, Michelle reimagined her holiday décor to encourage connection and conversation. After years of showcasing one statement tree in the foyer, she decided to move that centerpiece into the bar area and introduce two trees in the entryway instead. “The trees now complement the glass table where we play mahjong and enjoy cocktails,” she says. “It’s not just a show space anymore, it’s a cozy, festive area to play games and socialize.”
That sense of community and joy shines brightest in Michelle’s new mahjong holiday space, a fresh tradition she is excited to continue. “This is the first year I wanted to create a mahjong holiday experience in our home,” she says with a smile. “The glow of the tree lights mixed with the laughter and gentle clink of the tiles creates the coziest atmosphere. I have a few Christmas-themed tiles and mats, but also some neutrals that fit my décor. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation and connection, a quiet moment of fun that still feels elegant and celebratory.”
Michelle’s approach to Christmas décor balances classic beauty with personal meaning. “I like a consistent look and feel every Christmas,” she says. “I find comfort in recurring beauty year after year, but I also add something new and timeless to my collection. I have a few decorations from my mom that I admired as a child, and she has some from her mom. I love that mix of modern and classic, it’s tradition layered with love.”
Much of Michelle’s holiday joy extends beyond her home and into the community she has come to cherish. Loch Lloyd Country Club has become the backdrop for many of her favorite seasonal traditions. “Every year, I host an intimate Christmas dinner for my college girlfriends at home, with a curated meal by the Executive Chef at Loch Lloyd and a ‘favorite things’ gift exchange,” she shares. “The next day, we attend the Ladies Holiday Luncheon at the club, which includes local shopping and a fabulous lunch. Later in December, we take our children to the Santa Brunch and the Loch Lloyd Express or gingerbread-making night. Loch Lloyd Country Club knows how to do the holidays.”
For Michelle, it all comes back to connection, whether it is laughter around a mahjong table, a shared meal with lifelong friends, or quiet moments at home with her family. “It’s a time to slow down and truly soak in the joy of being together,” she reflects. “That’s what the holidays are all about.”