Analog was the theme this year. Everyone got what they wanted. Sasha got his own recurve bow. Oliver got a record player. Leo asked for, and received, pads of drawing paper, and clay. Really; those were his top two wishes.

Rebecca asked for a letter press. After some research we were able to find a restored Kelsey 3″x5″ press – the Excelsior model, originally made between 1885 and 1929. The same as my mother’s.  It even came with the same font – Garamond 12 point.

The only gift any of us really needed was for Sasha to get better. The day before Christmas he was suddenly, after gradual improvement over several weeks, completely himself. Like an old-fashioned camera lens that you twist to focus, until suddenly the confused blur becomes a razor sharp reality.