To ring in the holidays this year, we’ve teamed up with American Express’ #PointsForPresents program for a little lighthearted meditation on the season, straight from a celebrated member of the Washington community. What defines the holidays in DC? What’s the best gift for someone from the city? What do you love about the holidays not just as a person, but the die-hard Washingtonian you are? Here’s what fellow resident, Kunal Johar, had to say.
Kunal Johar is the cofounder of nonprofitCMS, now entering its fifth year of existence. Johar is proud to say it’s all been done without outside investors or family connections, but instead with in-house talents. As nonprofitCMS starts to run itself, Johar has started a side project with his dad, www.bollywoodchutneys.com, with the goal of someday making chutney as American as hummus.
Is there a movie that really makes you feel like the holidays are here? The holidays are always a great time to unwind not just with a single movie, but with a movie marathon series. Last year it was Die Hard 1, 2, 3; the year before it was Lethal Weapon 1, 2, 3—but nothing beats the classic of Home Alone 1 and 2.
What’s the one thing in the holiday spread you absolutely have to have seconds of? Apple pie with vanilla ice cream! Is there even a fair challenger during the cold holiday season? I am more of a savory person than sweets person and I hear an apple a day keeps the doctor away, and I prefer my apple pie served warm with gobs of ice cream.
What’s a gift every Washingtonian should receive at some point? Northface eTip gloves. I walk to work, but many DC folks walk to the metro or are waiting for their bus. We need to be on our smartphones—while the eTips aren’t perfect they are the best I’ve found to keep the conversation going on the run.
Did your family have any bizarre/funny/unusual holiday rituals growing up? Perhaps not bizarre, funny or unusual, but our family always made it a point to have an “American” Christmas. I remember being about 5 years old when we went to Pergament on December 26th to pick up “last year’s model” of the Christmas tree. My dad had the right idea, just like getting candy after halloween, we hit the jackpot—tree, ornaments, and enough lights to encircle our house 4 times.
A call-in show classic: tell us a horror story from a holiday past… I’m sure others can relate, the worst part of holidays is for sure holiday travel. I had a car full of friends in 2005 driving up the Northeast Corridor. When you are stuck in traffic there is a certain dynamic that takes over the car. It seemed like for every hour of traffic, there was a reversal of one friendship year. By hour 12 I had finally made it up to NY, which was just 1 hour shy to hang onto my high school friend of 11 years. The car ride in a sense became [as arduous as] Pi’s journey [in the Life of Pi]. I believe no one spoke to anyone else in that car for a solid year after.
Finish this sentence: “It isn’t the holidays in DC without… anticlimaticism.” I’m not even sure if that’s a real word! I don’t mean to be a DC hater, but everyone leaves the district for the holidays. I spent one New Year’s going out to Tom Tom’s in Adams Morgan and the DJ didn’t even count down to the New Year!
We also asked Kunal to share what he might get for the loved ones this holiday, using Membership Rewards® points from American Express. These aren’t the typical rewards options, so don’t think it’s all ball-point pens and label makers! Here’s what Kunal picked out for his clan.
