What is the best gift you received?

[sheena]

What is the best gift you received?

 

[Erin]

a sweater that I saw in a store while shopping with my parents
God I loved that sweater - just so unique - and yet classic, I''d wear it forever, except it was a snow sleigh scene and red
definitely too much money for something to be worn just during the holidays

opening Christmas presents there it was

Not so much that it was expensive, but that it was something I fussed over and they went back to get it
I could drop hints to my exboyfriend in the form of "Gosh I really like that, it''d make a great gift for me as a surprise" and still wouldn''t pick up on it, but my parents....have surprised me that way more than once!

Works out well for everyone - they know I''ll love it because I already oogled over it!!!

 

[FireGoddess]

This may sound weird, but the best and most thoughtful gift I have ever received was while I was in graduate school...I frequently worked late at night and one of my classmates who knew I was having a rough couple of days actually made a big batch of chocolate chip cookies, wrapped them up, and left them on the windshield of my car with a note. I found them when I was leaving the lab at like, 10 pm. It was one of the nicest and most thoughtful things anyone has ever done for me. Such a pleasant surprise.

 

[mercoledi]

My DH back when he was by BF had two good ones in one month. I was having a really really terrible stretch at school right around my birthday, and he bought me a coat that was terribly overpriced but that I coveted. I''m still a little annoyed at what he spent (we don''t really do birthday gifts) but I love it and will wear it to ribbons.

The super good one was that christmas. I used to frequently book studio time to make stained glass/art glass, but grad school pretty much removed the time/money/flexibility from my life so I hadn''t done anything like that for years. DH gave me a little paper booklet (that he''s made himself; it looked professional) with descriptions of all the possible classes at a local studio and I got to choose my favorite to take. I eneded up learning glass blowing and it was a blast. best. gift. ever.

 

[Rod]

Long Story, so sorry if I bore you...........

When I was in the 7th grade my father took me to see the National Symphony in Washington D.C. I was so mesmerized and the featured soloist was a clarinettist and I knew right then and there that I wanted to play the clarinet. So, my parents who were by no means wealthy, bought me a beginners clarinet which was such a magical thing. I practiced and practiced until I got to be pretty good and took first chair in my Junior High School band and my band teacher suggested I needed to have a private teacher if I was to get to the next level. So, again, my parents who didn't have much money, found the means to hire a private instructor for me and I worked really really hard to get better. Finally, the private teacher told me I had gone as far as I could on the beginning instrument and if I wanted to improve further, I would need a really good clarinet. Really good ones are made by Buffet and they cost at that time a few hundred dollars (we're talking 1960's here, I'm in my 50's now). So I asked my parents if I could get one and they told me they couldn't afford one. And I asked and asked and asked, but the answer was always the same. "Son, we can't afford one."

It was getting close to Christmas and my folks inquired what I hoped for that year and of course I said I wanted a Buffet Clarinet and my father said, "son, if you think you're getting one of those for Christmas or anytime soon, you're going to be so disappointed." This Christmas, we were going to the city to be at my mother's brother's house. And on the way, we stopped by my father's office and he came out, patted his pocket and said, "son, your Christmas gift is in here." To which I replied, doesn't look like a new Clarinet and he again calmly explained that what I wanted was so expensive and they just couldn't afford it right now.

So, Christmas morning came and there were loads of gifts and it seemed like a really nice Christmas for all. The turkey was put in the oven and my cousins and I were playing with our gifts as the morning turned to afternoon. In the Washington D.C, area it's kind of rare to have a white Christmas, so this day was made even more special when it started to snow. Knowing dinner would soon be served all seemed calm and beautiful with the world.

Then around 5 PM, my parents were sitting in my uncles living room and my father commented that he thought Santa might have placed something for me behind a piece of furniture in my uncles hallway. And he suggested I go look. So, I went and there behind the chest was a big square box, wrapped in holiday paper with my name on it from Santa Clause. I took the box, being a bit confused and went back to where my parents were waiting and they said, go ahead, unwrap it. And as the paper began to come off, I saw the letters......B.....U.....F.....F and I immediately realized they had someone found a way to get me a Buffet Clarinet. And all I could do was start to blubber in front of everyone, my parents, my cousins, my aunt, my uncle and my brother.

To me, it will be the gift memory and the gift that stands out above all other gifts I have ever or will likely ever receive. It was such a special special moment in time and I was so grateful to have a family who loved me enough to sacrifice so much to give me that clarinet that meant so much.

Thanks for letting me put that down in words............

PS: And yes, I do recognize the similarity between my special holiday and the moment in the holiday movie, "A Christmas Story" about the little boy and the BB Gun, which is why that movie is one of my all time favorite movies!

 

[gailrmv]

Rod, your story brought me a big smile. I hadn't said anything to you yet but I was also a serious clarinet player (and very proud owner of a Buffet clarinet!). I started college as a performance major and later switched to something more "practical" and have moved in a different direction with my career, but clarinet was a huge part of my life until just recently. I put it away while I went to grad school but really miss it, and maybe this year I'll get to play again. Anyway, your story is so heartwarming, that your family did that for you.

 

[Skippy123]

I love your story Rod. You are such a sweetie pie.

Best gift was the gift that my parents worked hard and paid for my college. They are the best.

 

[Rod]

I knew you and I had kindred spirits Gail!! I actually majored in music performance in college and was the first chair of our university orchestra and was considered to be pretty good. I was accepted at Eastman for my masters, but then a friend suggested I audition for the Marine band (the Presidents band). And if you make in the Marine band you don''t have to go through basic training. So, I got an audition and I came in 6th out of over 250 people auditioning and the person who won the seat had just graduated with a master''s from the Paris Conservatory and then it hit me. The clarinet wasn''t likely going to put a Mercedes Benz in my garage. Heck, I might not be able to afford a garage, so I put it away, much to the chagrin of my family and pursued a completely different path in life. I haven''t played it in over 25 years. I still have my clarinets, but they''re in serious need of an overhaul if they ever were to be played. At this stage of my life, I''ll probably remember how good I once was and not be frustrated with how badly I would likely be after not playing for so many years.

 

[Rod]

Date: 7/18/2007 10:42:40 PM
Author: Skippy123
I love your story Rod. You are such a sweetie pie.

Best gift was the gift that my parents worked hard and paid for my college. They are the best.

Thank you Skippy!! How lucky for you that you had parents willing to make such a sacrifice for someone as special as you!!

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 7/18/2007 10:48:06 PM
Author: Rod
I knew you and I had kindred spirits Gail!! I actually majored in music performance in college and was the first chair of our university orchestra and was considered to be pretty good. I was accepted at Eastman for my masters, but then a friend suggested I audition for the Marine band (the Presidents band). And if you make in the Marine band you don''t have to go through basic training. So, I got an audition and I came in 6th out of over 250 people auditioning and the person who won the seat had just graduated with a master''s from the Paris Conservatory and then it hit me. The clarinet wasn''t likely going to put a Mercedes Benz in my garage. Heck, I might not be able to afford a garage, so I put it away, much to the chagrin of my family and pursued a completely different path in life. I haven''t played it in over 25 years. I still have my clarinets, but they''re in serious need of an overhaul if they ever were to be played. At this stage of my life, I''ll probably remember how good I once was and not be frustrated with how badly I would likely be after not playing for so many years.

That''s really neat, Rod! You must have been a phenomonal clarinetist. Your parents must have been incredibly proud after making those sacrifices to start you on your way.
My story: I was one of the best in my state at the high school level, and didn''t know how I''d do in college. I was lucky to be accepted at a top music school within a great university, but once I got there, I was in the back of the pack of the clarinet section. Worked as hard as I could and wasn''t gaining ground. Was pursuing my "practical" major at the same time and reallly liked it, and was doing well in it. It hit me that there were so few professional clarinet spots in the country and odds were not in my favor to get any of them. I didn''t want to have to move to wherever I *might* be able to get a job, string together part time gigs, etc. Not when so many other options were open to me. I wanted to choose my future, not have my future choose me, so to speak. Also, music wasn''t very much fun when it was so competitive. So I dragged through 2 years as a double major and then switched out of the music school. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life but I think it worked out for the best. I continued playing in a community band and taking lessons until 2 years ago, and have been wanting to start to play again, but I am sure I am just awful now!
Hey, if we ever get to meet, we can play some rusty duets

 

[Rod]

Date: 7/18/2007 11:02:26 PM
Author: gailrmv

Date: 7/18/2007 10:48:06 PM
Author: Rod
I knew you and I had kindred spirits Gail!! I actually majored in music performance in college and was the first chair of our university orchestra and was considered to be pretty good. I was accepted at Eastman for my masters, but then a friend suggested I audition for the Marine band (the Presidents band). And if you make in the Marine band you don''t have to go through basic training. So, I got an audition and I came in 6th out of over 250 people auditioning and the person who won the seat had just graduated with a master''s from the Paris Conservatory and then it hit me. The clarinet wasn''t likely going to put a Mercedes Benz in my garage. Heck, I might not be able to afford a garage, so I put it away, much to the chagrin of my family and pursued a completely different path in life. I haven''t played it in over 25 years. I still have my clarinets, but they''re in serious need of an overhaul if they ever were to be played. At this stage of my life, I''ll probably remember how good I once was and not be frustrated with how badly I would likely be after not playing for so many years.

That''s really neat, Rod! You must have been a phenomonal clarinetist. Your parents must have been incredibly proud after making those sacrifices to start you on your way.
My story: I was one of the best in my state at the high school level, and didn''t know how I''d do in college. I was lucky to be accepted at a top music school within a great university, but once I got there, I was in the back of the pack of the clarinet section. Worked as hard as I could and wasn''t gaining ground. Was pursuing my ''practical'' major at the same time and reallly liked it, and was doing well in it. It hit me that there were so few professional clarinet spots in the country and odds were not in my favor to get any of them. I didn''t want to have to move to wherever I *might* be able to get a job, string together part time gigs, etc. Not when so many other options were open to me. I wanted to choose my future, not have my future choose me, so to speak. Also, music wasn''t very much fun when it was so competitive. So I dragged through 2 years as a double major and then switched out of the music school. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life but I think it worked out for the best. I continued playing in a community band and taking lessons until 2 years ago, and have been wanting to start to play again, but I am sure I am just awful now!
Hey, if we ever get to meet, we can play some rusty duets

For Rod, rusty would probably be an understatement, but it''s a maybe date!! I couldn''t agree more with your reasons for going a different direction. When you really looked at the options were so limited. Think about this......there are like 50 major orchestras in the U.S. Each one has about 3 - 4 clarinet spots. That''s about 150 - 200 positions for the entire country. And once someones got tenure, you litteraly have to wait for someone to pass away for a position to even open up to have the opportunity to audition. Just didn''t seem that with music schools graduating thousands of talented musicians every year, one''s chances of getting one of those coveted spots was too high. Sigh.........

 

[lumpkin]

One Christmas when I was 9 or 10 I was hoping for some particular toy. I didn''t get it. My aunt and uncle gave me a collection of about 15 books that had "Tom Sawyer," "Huckleberry Fin," "The Little Lame Prince," "Little Women," and a many other classic literature adolescent books. I was so disappointed. But years later, I can''t remember what toy it was that I had wanted, but I remember those books. I don''t know what ever happened to them, but by chance, my in-laws gave us my SIL''s books for my older son when he was born. It was the SAME SET!!! They were older, because she''s about 15 years older than I am, so the covers are different, but they are the same books. I don''t think my older son will enjoy them, but my younger one has a library already and he''s only 6. He probably has 100 books and we''ve read them all cover to cover repeatedly. Even his children''s Bible. He really loves books and I am so grateful to have these to pass onto him. Those books really enriched my intellect and fostered a love of reading really good, classic literature.

 

[oshinbreez]

The quilt my grandmother made me.

She made a quilt for all of her granddaughters. I was the youngest, and when she made mine, she was almost blind and had to use a magnifying glass to sew it. She also had arthritis in her hands and was going through chemo at the time. She gave it to me for Christmas, and then died later that year.

I''ve since passed it down to my son and DIL.

 

[door knob solitaire]

As we drove pass a little shanty of a house in our city...I noticed the school aged children just getting home from school. They were dressed in clean clothes just not what the average kids wore.

I said to my hubby, "You know what I would like to do? I would like to buy those children new clothes"

The next morning there was a large ~ significant check on the counter...to do just that.

I still tear up as I drive past that home. The best gift ever.

DKS

 

[KimberlyH]

I went through a rather traumatic experience in my mid-20s that involved my health. My dad, who is not an expressive sorta guy, couldn''t have been more amazing during that time. One day I came home from work and he had a present waiting for me. It was a heart shaped locket that has pictures of my deceased grandparents and had been inscribed "Love you forever." When he gave it to me he said "Your mother and I will be beside you through this, but when we can''t be there physically your grandparents will be close to your heart, watching over you for us."

My other favorite gift is my engagement ring, because DH was so thoughtful about purchasing it and allowed me to participate in the process. It was such a great experience.

 

[NYCsparkle]

I worked in a poor school and right before the holiday break this kid hands me a bag and says please open it now. i usually don''t because i don''t want to make the kids who didn''t give me a gift feel bad, but he insisted. so i start taking the toilet paper out of the bag and at the bottom there was a beautiful bow. the kid got all excited and said, "i looked and looked until i found the prettiest one to give to you, because you are the best teacher and make me feel smart." i still tear up when i think about the joy on his face when he gave me that bow.

 

[door knob solitaire]

Sparkle...I am tearing up! What a beautiful thing. Just incredible. Be still my heart...

DKS

 

[Pandora II]

Apart from my e-ring, the best present I ever received was possibly my pet python. He was a birthday present from an ex-boyfriend who wanted to give me something for life. They live up to 57 years and he''s only 5 now, so he''ll be with me for a very long time.

 

[DivaDiamond007]

My best (material) gift to date would have to be my pug, Nessa. Before we had Nessa, my husband I and had a pug (Chewy) that needed a companion. He was a gift from my parents so we were shocked to find out how much a dog can cost. So we started searching and searching for a companion. One day I called a breeder in Michigan and she said that she had a rescue that was available. She was just what we were looking for. 4 years old, female and fawn. My husband was a bit iffy about her because of her age (he wanted a 2 year old) but said we could go check her out.

We made the trip to visit her and brought her home that day. My husband could not resist her face and eyes. We''ve only had her for about 2 months now, but she is the best pug you could ask for. She is sweet and loves to cuddle. She never barks or causes any trouble (unlike Chewy). I really believe that she was meant to be ours. She fits right into our family and it seems like we''ve had her for much longer than a few months.

Jess

 

[monarch64]

I keep reading through this thread and I just can''t name one!!! I''ve been very fortunate in life to have been given many meaningful, heartfelt gifts, and I can''t specify one being above all the others, I guess. If I had to name one with, like, a gun to my head I would say the best gift I''ve ever received was my life from my parents, because they wanted children so badly, tried very hard for 3 years, went to see fertility specialists, had my older brother...had a miscarriage and then were told my mother shouldn''t try again to get pregnant but they did and lo and behold, they got pregnant with me. I''m eternally grateful that they didn''t stop trying so they could bring me into the world. Their dream when they got married was to fill up their home with at least six kids, and they only ended up with two after a lot of work.

Along with giving me life, they provided me with a firm foundation to grow on, good morals and values, great genes (I think), and a soft place to land whenever I''ve needed it. There isn''t a material gift among all my possessions, past or present, I can think of that outweighs the love they gave me and support they''ll always offer. Sorry this is all mushy, but sometimes i get caught up in material stuff and it''s nice to think about how truly blessed I am in life without all the extra trappings.