A Clinton County woman won $1 million on Christmas on a Michigan Lottery instant game that she picked up while buying tickets as holiday gifts. The woman, 66, who chose to remain anonymous, told the Michigan Lottery she bought several lottery tickets as Christmas gifts for family members — and then one Major Cashword ticket the she kept for herself.

LANSING, MI -- A Clinton County woman’s yearly tradition landed her a $1 million jackpot prize while she was playing the Michigan Lottery’s Major Cashword instant game.

But it was hers — the one she kept for herself — that left her stunned, lottery officials said. The 66-year-old kept a Major Cashword instant ticket she purchased at a store in Westphalia, then scratched it off on Christmas, the Michigan Lottery said in a Jan. 27 news release.

Indiana resident Emily Hickox, 25, ended up with a winning Michigan Lottery ticket worth $500,000 after doing a white elephant gift exchange with her family.

“It’s a miracle! An early Christmas miracle!” the winner from Wayne County said about the Dec. 4 drawing. He matched the winning numbers 02-10-13-24-29-46 on his $1 Lotto 47 ticket purchased at a drugstore in Westland, lottery officials said.

The player chose to receive a lump sum payment totaling about $728,000. He said he plans to share with his family and save for retirement.

A Michigan woman bought a stack of scratch-off lottery tickets to give as gifts and the only one she kept for herself turned out to be a $1 million winner.