By Don Radebaugh…TOLEDO, Ohio – For me, the day after Christmas “hangover” is far worse than the New Year’s hangover. In part, because I’m not fighting an overdose of alcohol that accompanies January 1 for many. 
Abraham Lincoln always said that alcohol left him “feeling flabby and undone,” and I couldn’t agree more. That, and as you spend the first day of the new year in recovery mode, you find another excuse to delay your goals, ultimately putting your journey toward success – however you define it – on hold again. It’s a nifty excuse to waste more time and feel crappy at the same time.
For me, it comes down to which holiday is more special, and of course Christmas wins out every time. For whatever reason, New Year’s never really was a big deal for me; but Christmas…it’s always been off-the-charts amazing. From the smell of pine in the air, to the cold and snow outside, family and friends, to the feelings of good will everywhere, Christmas is just so dang special.
In fact, if you don’t consciously find a reason to inhibit the spirit, I find that it grows more powerful with each passing year. And you know the spirit must be true because it’s certainly not about presents anymore, like it was during our childhoods when we couldn’t sleep in anticipation of toys under the tree.
While the presents come and go, the spirit remains, a spirit that grows more meaningful each holiday season. I still get so excited for Christmas…that wonderful time of year when everyone seems just a little bit nicer/kinder/gentler, as if we’ve been splashed with special glitter that works like magic. I can’t get to the Christmas music soon enough, and I genuinely feel good when it’s on. For some I know, the Christmas tunes come too soon. You’ve heard it I’m sure, “I can’t believe they’re playing Christmas music already.” I’ve got some news for you…radio stations play Christmas music “too soon” because there’s a huge market for it. Many of those same people who say that can’t stand Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving, are often the same people who have it dialed in on the way home from work.
And I don’t care how many times I watch “It’s a Wonderful Life”; it fascinates me more and more each time. I absolutely adore that movie. I wish I could live in Bedford Falls, a vision of small town America in all its winter charm that’s especially appealing to me. It blows my mind that the movie was originally a box office dud when it debuted in theaters across America Christmas Day, 1946. Only in years afterward did we come to understand just how brilliant the movie and script truly are. The proof is in the film’s staying power. And kudos to NBC for putting it on in prime time every Christmas Eve. And, the commercials are always amazing too…more evidence that the movie makes monetary sense…kind of like that Christmas music you’re “not” listening to. People watch this black and white classic by the millions every year because it really is that good, over and over again.
Speaking of winter charm, I’m grateful whenever (in Toledo/Sylvania) we sneak in a white Christmas; that’s always on my wish list…that there’d be snow on Christmas…and better yet, keep falling throughout the day. I’m especially grateful this 2020 Christmas season because snow fell on Christmas Eve and Christmas day…just enough to coat the ground and give us a White Christmas. We’re talking about frozen crystals that fall from the sky that make everything sparkle, another gift from God. What’s not to love about that? It’s utterly beautiful; why do people choose not to see that? Cold and snow are just more connections to my childhood that go hand and hand with Christmas. I shake my head when people brag on social media that they’re somewhere warm for Christmas. 
You can have it; I want to be where it’s cold on Christmas with a winter wonderland all around. I would never want to be where it’s warm on Christmas, if only for fear that it may whittle away at my spirit. And, 70s and 80s at Christmas time?…just plain yuck.
I’m also especially grateful that my kids were home for Christmas this year. It’s not always perfect; there is always an element of family dysfunction, but I don’t care. I’m always glad they’re here whether I annoy them or not. If I could live with my kids till the end of time, I’d do it all day, every day. I know that’s just a pipe dream; but that’s ok; I remain in love with the idea. The long walk I took with my two daughters at my all-time favorite park (Wildwood Preserve Metropark in Toledo) was a treasure I’ll keep forever.
Despite my grateful nature, I’m still feeling a little “hung-over”, not from too much moonshine or wine, but because Christmas is over and I have to wait a whole year for the magic to come back. And I know that these same feelings will not come over me on New Year’s Day next week because New Year’s just isn’t a big deal…I just don’t care if it comes and goes. It just doesn’t have the magic. But Christmas, now that’s a different story. Happy Holidays all…
PS: Snow after Christmas? Oh yah…bring it!
As I sit here replaying some of your footage on Shelbyville, and read your Christmas letter on New Years Eve,, this to me besides being with my kids is as close as it comes to reliving a great Christmas Eve in Atlanta where we actually had snow coming down as we left the church from a Great sermon by Crofford Loritz, May God Bless your New Year with good Health and many more great Hometown Stories
So many thanks Brad; I appreciate your support with what I’m trying to accomplish. Thanks for taking the time to check out my stories and videos. God bless you and your family…wishing you a safe-happy New Year ahead.