From the Crown to the Christmas Parade | An Interview With the Gergelys

After months of crazy cute competition, Dominik Gergely, has been crowned the 2025 Toddler of the Year! Domi and his parents are celebrating with a robust prize package including $25,000, a national ad campaign, a family trip to a Peppa Pig Theme Park, and the honor of being the Junior Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Domi delighted the crowd, telling everyone “Merry Christmas!” into the microphone.

A total charmer, his parents Micah and Dominika always knew he had this star power within him. It was his natural charisma, combined with their family’s heart for giving back to the community, that pushed them to enter Toddler of the Year. They were delighted to take part in (and win!) the competition that raised an astounding $12,776,869 to support Toys for Tots®.

Learn more about this special boy and his unique family below. 

Parents, tell us about yourselves? What is your story? How did you meet? 

My name is Dominika (“Hata”), and I am from Hungary. I came to the U.S. on a basketball scholarship at age 16 and later entered the world of investments. Micah (aka “Mommy”) is from New Jersey. She is the daughter of a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army. While Micah was working in insurance in New Jersey, we met on Bumble. Micah swiped right, but I messaged first.

Tell us more about your son, Domi? 

Domi turned 3 on August 16th. He has quickly become the center of our universe. We live a fairly busy life with lots of travel, and Domi just goes with the flow. His passport is full of stamps, partly thanks to one side of his grandparents living in Hungary. He is bilingual in English and Hungarian and can easily switch between the two without missing a beat (all of his cartoons have Hungarian voiceovers). 

What makes your family unique?

We are a bilingual family of two moms, two ethnicities and two equally adorable children. Our family’s bond is the living proof that love conquers all. 

How did it feel to hear that Domi had been named Toddler of the Year?

Life changing! We entered Domi into the competition with high hopes and the belief that he can do all things and be anyone he dreams to be. Toddler of the Year seemed to be a great fit for this. Two months after winning, it’s still hard to believe he was the one of thousands of children to win. Most days it still doesn’t feel real, but we’re beyond grateful for the exposure this competition has provided.

What are some of your favorite family traditions? 

Every Christmas Domi’s “Poppy” (American grandpa) gifts him a Hess truck. These trucks are different every year and are only made in limited quantities. Poppy has collected Hess trucks himself for decades and was excited to start this tradition with Domi when he was born.

We also often visit Hungary to nurture Domi’s cultural ties and to see his grandparents, aunt and uncles. While Domi is still very young, he loves making fish soup (a traditional, popular Hungarian festive dish). He loves decorating for Christmas and helping his grandma with baked goods. We alternate celebrating the holidays in the U.S. and Hungary, but one thing stays the same: togetherness.

What is the most rewarding part of toddler life?

How quickly he learns things. We’re shocked at how he says or does things that we didn’t think he would remember or that he saw from others. Also, it’s about the little moments; a kind act, a smile or lending a helping hand. 

What do you think sets Domi apart and makes him shine at such a young age?

His manners. He always says please and thank you much more than what we ever implemented, so much so that his teachers mention it to us often. We’re also convinced he is a genius. He will remember events months later, recall locations, his ABCs and how to count to 100 and pick up sign language (so maybe he’s on his way to trilingual?) Maybe these are normal for toddlers, but in our book, he is a genius. 

If you had to sum up Domi’s personality in just three words, what would they be?

Kind, silly, and loving!

Is there a particular toy, song, or routine that Domi can’t go a day without?

Life is a Highway by Rascal Flats (a song in Cars) is his most recent obsession. He requests that it’s played to and from school, on loop. It’s a long 10-min drive for his moms. Occasionally he’ll cut it off halfway through to request Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Baby Shark or the theme song of Thomas the Train. We live for the weekends when there is a chance we won’t get in the car (LOL).

Parenthood often comes with lessons of its own—what has Domi taught you so far?

That potty training takes patience and sometimes an occasional chocolate chip bribe. All kidding aside, Domi is our firstborn, so he has helped us transition our focus to the next generation. It’s about our kids and the legacy we’ll leave behind.

Can you share a recent moment or story that really captures who Domi is?

One fall day he took his hat off outside at school. His teachers went looking for it but could not find it. When Hata went to pick him up, the teachers told her about the lost hat. She asked Domi where his hat was, and he led her straight to it. He knew all along where it was, the teachers just assumed he didn’t. In these instances, we treat him and speak to him like an adult because we understand that he is wise beyond his years.

How do you nurture his curiosity and sense of wonder about the world?

We let him explore and fail (within reason, as long as he’s safe). We go on walks and talk to him about the environment, the seasons, the smells, the weather. He is quite inquisitive, and we answer/parent through honesty and compassion. He gets bored easily, which explains his love for new things and activities. We are huge on little to no screen time, including when we’re on the road. By now, he recognizes stores, gas stations, and above all, the fire station (his favorite).

Who are Domi’s biggest supporters or role models in the family?

His parents. Every night Hata tells him “Ne feledd, bármire képes vagy, csak nagyon kell akarni, és én bízom Benned. A Hata, a Mommy, és a Legie a Domit nagyon szeretik,” which translates to “Don’t forget, you can do anything in life, as long as you want it badly, and I believe in You. Hata, Mommy and Legie love Domi very much” with a good long tickle at the end.

What are your hopes or dreams for Domi as he grows up?

We hope he grows up enjoying a well-balanced life where he is the captain of his own ship, with his direction and crew around him. We hope he stays healthy and his cheerful self. And hey, if he wants to take on professional basketball after his Hata, we’re ok with that!

Is there anything about your journey with having a child you would like to share?

Every parent dreams about raising a child better than they were raised. While both of us were raised in loving families, we still hope to provide a life to our kids that’s more carefree. We’re also big on instilling confidence in our children from day one, making sure they know that they’re beautiful, smart and can do all things they put their mind to. 

Is there anything else you want readers to know? 

We don’t live by the book. We believe in trading routines for special memories (not every time, but when it makes sense). We make it a point to visit Domi’s grandparents in Hungary 2-3x a year even if it means skipping school for a week or two because in the grand scheme, he’ll remember and cherish those family moments much more vividly. 

We try our best to stay present and savor the moment while our kids are young. Last but not least, we’d like everyone involved with the Toddler of the Year competition, including the many participants, to know that all toddlers are special and unique in their own way, and while Domi is the fortunate inaugural winner, we couldn’t have had the same uplifting experience without everyone playing their part; and for that, we’re forever grateful. 

Follow along this sweet family’s journey on Instagram @domi.gergely.