Growing up in the suburbs of Boston in the early 80s in a city called Lynn, MA is what inspired this whole concept and I didn't even know it until 40 years later. 

In December of 1980 I was my mother's Christmas gift from my father. I was adopted from El Salvador. Driving back from JFK Airport from a flight from Mexico City, we arrived late with my father and cousin on Christmas Eve. When we got home my mother was sleeping on the couch so instead of waking her up right away my father laid out a red and white checkered blanket and laid me down under the flickering lights of the tree. I was among all the other Christmas gifts when he woke my mother up. 

Tears happened.

My mother was waiting for this day for so long and when it finally happened it was like magic. I wanted to bring back that feeling my parents had in that moment and the feeling I had over the next 8 years growing up and opening gifts under the tree while it snowed outside. Christmas was special in our household. That is what the passion behind this concept is, the love for family and the understanding that everyone should have their own Christmas story.