Reflecting on Christmas 2020

Full disclaimer to start: I acknowledge, it’s odd to reflect about Christmas in June, but these have been strange times, so I’m going with it. 

I recently stumbled on notes I took the night of December 25, 2020. This was the first I’d seen them in nearly 18 months. I forgot I documented every aspect of that day, but upon discovery, I recall being moved to do so, because I was thankful for that day. 

The notes outlined that we played board games and watched A Christmas Story, my all time favorite holiday movie. The gifts ranged from much-needed golf lessons for me, camping equipment for my baby girl, legos and monster trucks for my son, and horseback riding lessons, personalized stationery, and of course, an American Girl doll for my oldest daughter. The wife and I indulged in mimosas and cheese strata in the morning, and our Christmas feast included brussel sprouts, scalloped potatoes, dinner rolls, and ham.

None of these details are overly important, although I have dreams of Christmas ham 365 days a year.

After reviewing my notes after a year and a half, there were three particular themes that were significant if not downright special about this day:

1. This was the first year that we gave each kid a small budget to research and price out inexpensive, yet thoughtful presents for their siblings. That process was certainly endearing, but their biggest excitement of the day was giving their gifts to each other - more than opening their own gifts from Santa. My kids love receiving a present as much as the next spoiled kid, but I know that they now understand the ever-accurate cliche that it’s better to give than to get.
2. I earned massive brownie points by aligning myself with two of my wife’s best friends’ husbands and collaborating on a surprise long weekend vacation for the three wives for our Christmas gifts to them. While I’ve likely peaked as a gift giver as a result, this gesture modeled one of our family values of prioritizing experiences over possessions for our kids, but also started a precious tradition for my wife, where the three friends now strengthen their bond on an annual trip together.
3. Anyone in Columbus that holiday will recall that as the sun went down Christmas Eve (or for me, as I started grilling our dinner), our first winter snow of the season rolled in thick. By morning, we had nearly six inches on the ground. White Christmases are rare, but because we had nothing to do and nowhere to go, we spent hours of our afternoon playing in the snow. Simple, joyful, fun brought on by a serendipitous, unique and timely storm reminded us that life can still be magical despite the unprecedented challenges we endured that year.​

That holiday was special, despite not seeing extended family or friends, which is sad and not customary. My family of five made the most of it, and in the process, developed new, unplanned traditions and made unforgettable memories that I’m forever grateful for and enjoyed recalling - even on the cusp of summer.

-Steve Michalovich, Regular Contributor