There is nothing wrong with being a momma’s boy. In fact, there’s a long list of things that are right with having a special soft spot in your heart for your mom. After all, she did carry you around for 9 months, pack your lunches before school, and buy you clothes until you (recently?) learned how to dress yourself.

That being said, with all the tender love and care your that your mother has given you over the years, it can only be expected that she’s overjoyed with excitement when you tell her you’ve booked your ticket and are heading home for the holidays. And even if going home means dealing with inevitable family stress and weird relatives, you know deep down that you, too, are looking forward to seeing the fam and being taken care of for a bit.

So we ask you please, do your mother a wee little favor, and take some time to put yourself together. Although she may not be that special lady you want to impress, odds are, she’s just as judgmental. So for her sake (and your sanity’s sake), please dress accordingly and assure the matriarch that you’re as handsome as she knows you are.

Our advice? Show your softer yet stylish side by wearing the color lavender with a complimentary brown/purple check contrast collar and cuff (fact: moms love their sons in pastels and appreciate little style details). A button-down collar and tailored fit will give your shirt a casual (but not unkempt) feel—the perfect look for your first day back—and will undoubtedly make your mom proud.

And if momma’s proud, momma’s more likely to feed you—and don’t try and fool us for a second. We know home cookin’ is one of the main reasons why you trekked home this season…