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What's The BEST Holiday/Christmas Present You Ever Got?

iLander

iLander

Ideal_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2010
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My best was when my husband bought me a Toyota Celica! :appl: There it was, just outside the bay window and I thought someone had parked on our yard! I was so MAD! But then my DH handed me my new keys and I freaked! I was so surprised, I was dizzy for a few hours! We had test driven it, but we thought we would wait until the new year to actually sign the papers, but my DH pulled it all off without me knowing. Totally cool!

If you asked my grandmother, she would have said the Christmas that all 3 of her sons were home from the Vietnam war at the same time. i have pictures of her beaming with the 3 of them.

What was your best, most exciting, coolest, or sweetest gift ever?

Which gift gives you the best memories?
 
Two come to mind. One was, of course, a wonderful wonderful dog, who graced us with his sweet humorous intelligence for almost 14 years before he left for the Bridge. What a love he was!

The other was my mom's visit from Denver to us in Conn. for Christmas. We all knew it would be her last one. She had terminal cancer & had had 2 strokes that left one leg paralyzed & made it a little difficult for her to talk. She soldiered her way onto a plane & came out, continuing as she had vowed earlier, that if she "was gonna go, she was gonna go laughing." My funny cousin was there & his marvelous wife. The whole visit was hilarious & warm, everybody full of jokes & joy in the moment. What a gift!

--- Laurie
 
When I was little, my dad had this sampler tape of random songs that he would always play in the car. One of them was Music Box Dancer (The Frank Mills version from the 70s), and I LOVED this song like mad, and would always pretend to play along with it. My dad passed away when I was 12, and I spent hours looking for that tape, and couldn't find it.

At Christmas years later (I think I was 16 or so) my mother presented me with a gift. When I opened it, there was a music box inside with a picture of me and my father on the top that played Music Box Dancer. My mom had also found the original tape somewhere a few months earlier, and included it with the music box. I still have that music box sitting on the bookshelf at home. ::)
 
geckodani|1289310873|2759056 said:
When I was little, my dad had this sampler tape of random songs that he would always play in the car. One of them was Music Box Dancer (The Frank Mills version from the 70s), and I LOVED this song like mad, and would always pretend to play along with it. My dad passed away when I was 12, and I spent hours looking for that tape, and couldn't find it.

At Christmas years later (I think I was 16 or so) my mother presented me with a gift. When I opened it, there was a music box inside with a picture of me and my father on the top that played Music Box Dancer. My mom had also found the original tape somewhere a few months earlier, and included it with the music box. I still have that music box sitting on the bookshelf at home. ::)
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Omg that was my favorite song as a child. What a beautiful gift!
 
Best gift I ever got was a 'Thank you' note from my mom on what turned out to be her last Christmas. I love that note, it was just perfect. She didn't have to thank me for anything, I would have done anything for her but it was just so touching that she put it all down in a letter. :)

On a not so heavy note, the other best Christmas present I got was The 'Barbie Ice Cream Shop' No lie, I ripped one side of the wrapping paper off and had a screaming fit for the better part of 10 mins. Best part about it? I never used it. Sure didn't. LOL, but it was the idea that I had it. LOL.
 
I didn't grow up with a lot of money, so this is largely contextual ....

When I was 9, I was obsessed with dollhouses. I had a crap Barbie playhouse, but that wasn't the same as all of the enchanted and enchanting antique dollhouses that I read about in books. And there wasn't really anything like that in my immediate vicinity, either ... but in the window of the fanciest toyshop in my neighborhood, there was this amazing dollhouse that had lights that actually lit up and proper wallpaper and real velvet furniture, and I just used to stare at it with my nose pressed up against the window: I don't think it ever even occurred to me to ask for it.

And then one day my mother said, "All right, let's go in," and she bought it for me on the spot. We couldn't afford to get any of the furniture then and there, mind, but when we got home, my clever-handed mother cut up a plastic Sony Walkman case to make the frame for a sofa and covered it in cotton batting and a scrap of grey brocade, and made a bed out of a cardboard box complete with an upholstered headboard in yellow sprigged cotton, and I felt like the luckiest little girl in the world.

The dollhouse is still at my parent's place: it's old, and a bit faded. But one of these days when we have room, I'm planning to take it back and refinish it and present it to some kiddo who'll have their year made by it, like mine was when I was 9.
 
MonkeyPie|1289312412|2759069 said:
geckodani|1289310873|2759056 said:
When I was little, my dad had this sampler tape of random songs that he would always play in the car. One of them was Music Box Dancer (The Frank Mills version from the 70s), and I LOVED this song like mad, and would always pretend to play along with it. My dad passed away when I was 12, and I spent hours looking for that tape, and couldn't find it.

At Christmas years later (I think I was 16 or so) my mother presented me with a gift. When I opened it, there was a music box inside with a picture of me and my father on the top that played Music Box Dancer. My mom had also found the original tape somewhere a few months earlier, and included it with the music box. I still have that music box sitting on the bookshelf at home. ::)
Click to expand...

Omg that was my favorite song as a child. What a beautiful gift!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was so happy to get both the music box and the tape! Memories are the best gifts.
 
Circe|1289313373|2759076 said:
I didn't grow up with a lot of money, so this is largely contextual ....

When I was 9, I was obsessed with dollhouses. I had a crap Barbie playhouse, but that wasn't the same as all of the enchanted and enchanting antique dollhouses that I read about in books. And there wasn't really anything like that in my immediate vicinity, either ... but in the window of the fanciest toyshop in my neighborhood, there was this amazing dollhouse that had lights that actually lit up and proper wallpaper and real velvet furniture, and I just used to stare at it with my nose pressed up against the window: I don't think it ever even occurred to me to ask for it.

And then one day my mother said, "All right, let's go in," and she bought it for me on the spot. We couldn't afford to get any of the furniture then and there, mind, but when we got home, my clever-handed mother cut up a plastic Sony Walkman case to make the frame for a sofa and covered it in cotton batting and a scrap of grey brocade, and made a bed out of a cardboard box complete with an upholstered headboard in yellow sprigged cotton, and I felt like the luckiest little girl in the world.

The dollhouse is still at my parent's place: it's old, and a bit faded. But one of these days when we have room, I'm planning to take it back and refinish it and present it to some kiddo who'll have their year made by it, like mine was when I was 9.
Click to expand...

Aw! What a fantastic story!
 
Honestly, I just love that my parents are willing to fly me out to wherever the family is for Christmas. This will be the first Christmas since college where I've gotten to spend Christmas day with them, and I'm SOOOOOOO excited. Add to that the fact that they're in Dubai, so I get to travel and it's really the best Christmas gift ever. I love my family and I love spending time with them, and I'm obsessed with travel. The combination is just perfect.
 
My ex husband bought me an iPod video when they first came out. We had went to the Apple store, and I had assumed it was not in budget, and was very surprised to hear him say "We will take it"
 
Circe, neat story. I hope you do fix up that dollhouse for a little girl (or boy, for that matter!) who wouldn't' have anything so special without you. Pass on the happiness.....

--- Laurie
 
I got a 2-wheeler bike when I was 6. I always felt so out of the loop because I was the only kid in class who couldn't ride a 2-wheeler, so there she was, under the tree. I thought, "yeah, that's fantastic, but I don't know how to ride it." My step-dad spent the entire rest of the day trying to teach me to ride it. I was flying down the road when I realized he wasn't holding on. By then I was starving and ready for my Christmas turkey, so we all had a big happy meal together and me feeling so proud. My mom and step-dad got a divorce soon after that, so I was always happy to have had that one last happy holiday.
 
My best Christmas gift was a trip to Paris. My mom wrapped up passports in gift boxes for me and my brother. What a treat! I was 15 at the time, my brother was 12. We were to fly out on Valentine's Day since I had a break from school then. My brother ended up not going due to a fear of flying. Since my brother was staying behind my mom let me take my best friend (how nice of her!). It was an amazing trip. My brother missed out!
 
These are great stories!

I have had a few favorite gifts over the years, but when my sister gave me the book and CD of "The Small One," that was one of my all time favorites. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Small_One

When I was little, maybe, 4-5, apparently (I was too young to really remember) I used to listen to the record of this story over and over again. According to my dad, I used to practically wail after listening to it because I was so sad. Years later, maybe 5 years ago or so, my sister gave me the CD and book. It was such a thoughtful gift.
 
The best present I got was my son :appl: he was due Christmas day and was born the 26th!!
 
My friends made me a huge photo collage. My birthday is 6 weeks before christmas, and one year I had a huge party. My friends took loads of pictures, and spent the next few weeks cutting out the good ones and making a massive collage. It was really a birthday present but I got it for Christmas. It's fantastic. It was our last year in college and it's loaded with memories. I love it.
 
Great stories everyone!

The present I was most excited to get was the ring guard for my wedding ring. We were married in June and bought matching wedding bands (mine was very, very thin with diamond chips at best). My ering was .22 ctw and it had a ring guard that was .06 ctw but I wanted it for our first Christmas together. It was $120 and we couldn't afford to just buy it so we put it on layaway and paid $15 a month until Christmas. I ripped that ring box open first thing on Christmas morning and found a little penguin pen in there. My husband had wrapped my ring in a bigger box. He was quite proud of his surprise gift. I wore the penguin on my winter coat for years until I lost it. My center diamond and the 2 diamonds out of my ring guard are now in a diamond pendant that is by far my most sentimental piece of jewelry.
 
I really love these stories...Circe, Gecko: you two both made me tear up.

I have a few things that come to mind: first was Rachel-baby. When I was about to turn 2, my mom had my younger sister. Apparently, when asked what I wanted for Christmas, I had it in my mind that I wanted my own baby. My grandparents got me this doll, and I loved her like my own real baby. I don't know how she got this name, but my mom said you couldn't pry her out of my hands. She went all over the place with me. She now has no clothes and crazy hair....but ill always love Rachel-baby.
Second: I recently mentioned earrings DHs grandma gave me in the diamond earrings thread. Those earrings will always be special, and ill wear them with love always.
One other special gift: my mom hasn't had much money, especially since my parents divorce. But one thing she always wanted to do was give us each a tiffany bracelet for our 18th birthdays. I know she had to save to do it, but stuck to her word and so for my two sisters and I, we all have our matching bracelets...its like a power item that when I put it on, I feel invincible, since my mom, the strongest woman I know, gave it to me :)
 
Ladies, these are the BEST stories! I love them! :appl: :appl:

This thread is giving me the true holiday spirit, keep them coming! :wavey:
 
My husband proposed on Christmas. First he gave me a box to open that had a nice pair of earrings. I figured the second box he gave me was going to be a necklace or bracelet to go with the earrings, but it was an engagement ring. I was completely stunned! He had the ring for a while, and I still can't believe he kept it a secret for so long. He's not good with secrets!
 
The best non-material thing I received was a letter from my Dad saying how much he loved us kids. I grew up with parents who were not very emotional.
The best material gift was my Dyson my MIL got me last year. She flew us to Florida so we could be there a week before xmas. She handed me a box and I opened it and it was an instruction booklet for a dyson and at first I did not understand but when I did, I lost it. I know its just a vacuum but I really wanted one and never even asked for it.
 
Bumping this thread up, too much fun (for me anyway) to let it die . . .

Remember, crass materialistic gifts are okay, as are the heart warmers. :wavey:
 
I'm posting the best birthday present, because I just had my birthday and received said present.

I always talk to my hubby about how much I love giant t-shirts to sleep in, and jokingly said how I wanted to find like an 8XL tshirt to wear to bed.

Well, he scoured the internet for my birthday and found me a giant 15XL tshirt! When I opened on my birthday morning, I laughed so hard I cried. Best. Present. Evar.
 
Elledizzy, sounds like a roomy and comfy shirt. Sweet dreams.
 
A week long trip to the Bahamas! Everything paid for, plus money for spending and it was over xmas.

But an actual gift... ummm.. I was pretty excited when I got my first Nikon N80 in high school.. and in 1995 I got my first cd player (boom box type thing) I was in 6th grade and I was sooooooooo excited. I was actually in the hospital over xmas that time but it was still awesome!
 
Bump
 
Well, our whole first Christmas together was magical-- we were dating and I lived in NYC and didn't even have a tree which Mr. St. Clare thought was horrifying so when he came over on Xmas eve he brought over a real Charlie Brown number--an 18 inch aluminum with little red studs on the end of each branch... I have it in my bedroom right now. He gave me an amythest and diamond ring {I knew then he was a keeper} and we went to the local church for midnight Mass. I made French toast for breakfast the next morning which I dropped on the floor so we went to Sarges Deli for breakfast and later we went to his parents house and I met the whole tribe--and 29 years later we are still together....we have weathered some nasty storms over the years and some bad health scares and 3 radically different cats!
 
geckodani|1289310873|2759056 said:
When I was little, my dad had this sampler tape of random songs that he would always play in the car. One of them was Music Box Dancer (The Frank Mills version from the 70s), and I LOVED this song like mad, and would always pretend to play along with it. My dad passed away when I was 12, and I spent hours looking for that tape, and couldn't find it.

At Christmas years later (I think I was 16 or so) my mother presented me with a gift. When I opened it, there was a music box inside with a picture of me and my father on the top that played Music Box Dancer. My mom had also found the original tape somewhere a few months earlier, and included it with the music box. I still have that music box sitting on the bookshelf at home. ::)
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this just made me cry gecko - i love this story :love:
 
When I was around 12, my parents got me the Rolling Stones Decembers Children for Christmas.

I loved that album and it stands out as a highlight
 
This is more on the crass side, but my parents would not let my sister and I have Barbies (or Barbie-like dolls), until we hit some unknown to us certain age (10? 12?). So that Christmas not only did we get a Barbie type doll, we we got all 3 Charlies Angels dolls AND their VAN AND a Wonderwoman doll. My sister and I were so excited we probably did scream.

The other gift we got around the same time that we were just obsessed with, was a tape recorder. All four of us kids would spend hours writing and illustrating "news stories" (usually very silly news reports). We would then with very serious voices read our scripts into the tape recorder like we were creating a news show, with transitions, fake commercials, everything. Then we would listen to our recordings and nearly pee ourselves with laughter.
 
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