My sister-in-law Brittany is obsessed with neutrals—everything in her life is beige, gray, or oatmeal. Her five-year-old son, Evan, doesn’t fit that vibe, but when I bought him a bright red, yellow, and blue toy car for his birthday, it caused an uproar.

Evan, who loves bright colors, spotted the car in a toy store, and I knew it was perfect for him. But when I brought it to his party, Brittany’s face went cold. She didn’t even pretend to be happy. She immediately discarded the car, explaining it didn’t fit her home’s aesthetic, leaving Evan crushed.