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Visions of ornaments danced in his head

Cullen Chadwick ’96 received a Miami University commemorative ornament from his father in 2003 and spent two decades collecting the others

By Miami University

Written after Clement Clarke Moore’s “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”

’Tis early November, near Mosquito Creek Lake;

The Chadwicks are prepping for holiday break.

The homestead’s festooned with Clark Griswold flare;

Not window nor siding is ever left bare.

Snowmen inflatables light up the yard;

But they’re not the ones, who’re posted on guard;

It’s Buddy the Elf, who stands six feet high;

With a bin full of trinkets for those who pass by.

Inside the house is Cullen, the dad;

A business school guy, a ’96 grad.

He sets up the trees, five are green; one is blue,

A nod to his high school, Cortland’s Lakeview.

His wife is Michelle, a Merger they’re not,

But the Miamian Mom shirt, it gets worn a lot.

A junior this year is dear daughter Ella;

Colton, their son, is a ’24 fella.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

Cullen emerges with a box all in tatters,

Passed down from his father is what truly matters.

The contents inside have changed here and there,

But all hold a memory the family will share.

Balls from past travels and long Disney days;

Each tells a tale of life’s family phase.

Then there’s the ornaments shiny and gold,

And now’s when our story begins to unfold.

The Chadwicks all gather to trim the first tree,

Which starts with a movie, a classic must-see.

Will Ferrell is Elf, who leaves the North Pole;

To find his true father, and gladden his soul.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

While the family all laughs, Cullen’s at work;

“Got all 38,” he thinks with a smirk.

2004, marked his ornament mission;

Collect all Miami’s limited edition.

Cullen holds up the Miami Field Gates;

“The first one I bought,” he fondly states.

It’s placed on a branch, the other three clap;

The son hangs the next, he’s kept in his lap.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

At Withrow Court, Cullen’s friendships ran deep;

It’s now Withrow Hall, where Colton did sleep.

That ’99 ornament fills them with joy;

A campus connection between Dad and boy.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

Then there’s McGuffey, Cullen’s white whale;

For 21 years he hunted its trail.

34 more are hung on the tree;

Only one left, it’s special, you’ll see.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

A gift from his father, Jim was his name;

A man who lived Christmas was his claim to fame.

Known throughout Cortland for loving his neighbors;

And at the Town Plant for all of his labors.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

The 2003 Christmas was one filled with laughter;

Jim went to his rest, a few months thereafter.

The Kumler Chapel was his one final gift;

The Keeper of Christmas now had to shift.

Visions of ornaments danced in his head

Collecting them all was Cullen’s first quest;

Now filling Dad’s boots will be the next test.

He hears Father’s voice when the tree glows with light;

Christmas is family, and to yours, a good night.

Explore Miami University’s Commemorative Ornament archive and find what historic Miami campus landmarks have been unveiled for 2025. Preorder today!

View Ornaments

Footnotes

Story by J.M. Green and design by Cassidy Gebhart ’22 MEET ’23 of University Advancement Ornament and submitted photos were filtered using AI.

FootNotes

Story by J.M. Green and design by Cassidy Gebhart ’22 MEET ’23 of University Advancement Ornament and submitted photos were filtered using AI.

© 2026 Miami University

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