"God's love is our greatest gift!"

From her breakout role as Winnie Cooper on the hit TV show The Wonder Years to authoring 11 acclaimed math books to being a wife, mother and the star of three holiday films this season, one would think Danica McKellar has success down to a science. But life has dealt her some outliers, like a tough divorce and a fear of failure. Here, how faith and family keep her joy-filled and stress-free during the holidays

- Deborah Evans Price

Actress, author and lauded math whiz Danica McKellar, 49, has always been an overachiever. But during Christmastime, she slows down to revel in the simple joys. “I love a big family dinner: I take after my grandmother,” she tells Woman’s World. “She had the tiniest kitchen but made so much food! I love continuing that tradition.”

Another custom Danica treasures is baking her annual Yule log. “It’s a chocolate cake layer with cream. You roll it up and cut it, so it looks like a log.

I love decorating it with my son, Draco. We get paintbrushes and food coloring and paint on little candy canes or snowmen.”

Danica is sharing that cheer with millions through her three holiday movies, A Cinderella Christmas Ball on the Great American Family network, and A Royal Date for Christmas and Christmas at the Drive-In on Pure Flix. She was also thrilled to appear at the Great American Family Christmas Festival in New York. Here, Danica shares her tips for maintaining balance and feeling the peace of Christmas all year-round.

Don’t miss Danica’s Christmas movie!

“I’m really excited about A Cinderella Christmas Ball for so many reasons,” says Danica, who hopes fans will be inspired by the movie’s message. “I helped write this one! It’s about how love is all around, and how to never give up on yourself. It’s just so heartwarming and there’s so much heart in this movie.” Check local listings for airtimes on Great American Family.

Danica (here with her parents when she was a baby) thanks God for her loving family

Lean into your faith