Just for Fun Let's share a favorite Christmas memory

Every now and then, during the holiday season, something will occur that will make that Christmas stand out from the others. For me, it was when my daughter, Jennifer, was in kindergarten. I was a struggling single mother and Christmas time meant a tighter budget than normal. My paycheck was already stretched to the limit by the purchases of winter clothing and sharing a high utility bill with my sister. After everything was calculated, there was very little left over to purchase toys. So, I asked my daughter if she could have one toy-what would it be? Without hesitation, she, happily, responded, "Baby Alive!" That year, that was the doll that every little girl wanted Santa to leave under the tree. As I scoured toy store ads for the doll: my heart sank. The price of the doll was much more than the money I had. The thought of seeing her disappointed face made me reach out to a relative that I thought would help. I called her godmother.
But, somehow, I don't remember all the details, but she was unable to buy it. The Friday before school was to let out, when I came home from work, Jen was, eagerly, waiting for me. She had a present in her hands from the "Secret Santa" party from her class. Earlier that month, her teacher had sent a note to the parents asking them to purchase a small gift valuing about $5 or more. The gift would be for the child whose name your child drew in the drawing.

I can't remember if Jen drew the name of a boy or a girl, but I do remember that we bought a toy, wrapped it, and she took it to school. She waited for me to come home to get my consent to unwrap her present. When she did, she jumped for joy, while my eyes grew big from disbelief! As you might've already guessed - it was a "Baby Alive" doll: the only toy that she wanted for Christmas. The price of this doll was far more than the suggested amount in the teacher's letter. Later on, Jen explained to me that it was a boy who pulled her name. He asked his mother to buy the doll for Jen because he knew she really wanted one. So, his generous mother bought it. Kindergarten crush? Maybe.

Every parent wants their child to have their "dream" toy on Christmas. But, unfortunately, for a lot of poor children that dream will remain with them for most of their lives.
But, that year, for one little girl, not only did her dream come true, but her mother's did as well. And, that feeling of gratitude, that I felt then, has been a gift to me for many holidays to come.

Merry Christmas, Christian Writers.

Every year, when I was a boy in New York City, my mother would take me and my sister to Macy's Department Store, to make our requests to Santa. I don't know if I ever really believed in Santa Clause, but I always let my mother know ahead of time, what I was going to ask him for; to make sure I'd be getting that extra present.

For the few years we lived in Oregon the first snow was on Thanksgiving day. That really set our minds and hearts in the mood for Christmas.
The snow was heavy and deep — the wind pushing a fine drift up against the chimney. We would step up the drift like stairs until it packed down to low to be exciting.
Then mom would pour cream over fresh snow to make 'real' ice cream.

William D'Andrea said:

Every year, when I was a boy in New York City, my mother would take me and my sister to Macy's Department Store, to make our requests to Santa. I don't know if I ever really believed in Santa Clause, but I always let my mother know ahead of time, what I was going to ask him for; to make sure I'd be getting that extra present.

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I knew they couldn't all be Santa (they don't all look the same), so I concluded that most of them were elves dressed up as Santa, since he could be in every store at once. Why they didn't just admit they were elves reporting to Santa, I could never figure out... It would be a lot more believable.

I've been trying to think of one Christmas that stands out but I can't think of one. They were all great when I was a kid. I'll have to keep thinking.

lynnmosher said:

I've been trying to think of one Christmas that stands out but I can't think of one. They were all great when I was a kid. I'll have to keep thinking.

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