Christmas is supposed to be magical. Often, it is just typical. For us, last December’s festivities were a little of both.

What was typical about 2020’s Christmas? Jason and I opened presents from each other in our usual fashion, though perhaps a bit earlier than normal. In our drawn-out process, every item is played with, discussed, tried on, laughed at, etc. Jason and I also made beef bourguignon together. We often scavenge for enough moments to make this special dish during the holidays and have succeeded on enough occasions to justify its placement here in the typical category.

That brings me to the magical. What was magical about 2020’s Christmas? Time. Without a multitude of family happenings, Jason and I had enough time to make breakfast together and go on an afternoon hike. I’m not sure if a hike on Christmas should be considered magical or simply a manifestation of climate mayhem, but we enjoyed it either way.

While we didn’t have present-opening extravaganzas with family members, we did have chaotic Google video chats and gift unveils. Technology is pretty magical even if its trendy offspring, tumultuous virtual conversations, are sometimes less so. Therefore, with reservations, I’m placing these digital gatherings in the magical category.

Those few dull paragraphs sum up what was a delightful Christmas. Maybe magical would be a stretch, but it was ordinarily and abnormally wonderful.