Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I find myself reminiscing about some of my favorite Christmas presents over the years. While every gift carries its own special sentiment, there are a few that stand out and bring back a flood of fond memories.
Before I started kindergarten, in the house at the end of Easter Lane, Santa brought me a purple AM radio with a three-foot hardwired cord and a purple and white microphone. It didn't get very loud, but I adored it. The batteries went dead pretty quickly, and my parents never replaced them. I think it's because I only used the microphone to hum into. Even without batteries, I loved lipsyncing to Olivia Newton-John, Juice Newton, and Dolly Parton records. That little radio holds a special place in my heart.
From the early 1980s to the present, I've received Masters of the Universe action figures as gifts from Grandma Manning, Santa, mama, daddy, and Terry. These figures have been a constant source of joy and nostalgia, keeping the magic of childhood alive.
When I was in the 4th grade, we got a Radio Shack TRS-80 Color Computer for Christmas. It was awesome, and I still appreciate the experience of learning programming on it. It was my first introduction to the world of computing, and it sparked a lifelong interest in technology.
Among the best gifts I've ever received were my beloved puppies—Chip the beagle, Pickles the English Springer Spaniel, Peaches the Cocker Spaniel, and Pat the Golden Retriever. Each one brought immense joy and love into my life, even though, sadly, they were taken from me too soon. Animals are the best gifts because they offer unconditional love.
One year, I received a fish tank full of black mollies. My mom ended up taking over their care because I didn't have the time to invest in them, but it was a fascinating gift nonetheless.
In the 6th grade, I got an Emerson CTR932 dual cassette boombox. I carried it around the neighborhood, blasting out Madonna's hits. It was the ultimate symbol of coolness at the time.
Another cherished gift was a Nintendo NES system with a bunch of games from Santa when I was in the 6th or 7th grade. Those games are still some of my favorites. That same year, my mom gifted me a pair of fancy parakeets, Petey and Penny, that the next-door neighbor decided to get rid of. While I wasn't very fond of birds and my mom ended up taking care of them, it was still a memorable gift.
My sister always knew how much I loved music. She bought me The Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian" 45 record when I was in elementary school, and later, my very first CD, Michael Jackson's "Dangerous."
In the late '90s, I started building carnival ride models and had purchased a few kits made by IHC Hobby. Terry really went all out and bought a bunch of awesome carnival models for me. I still have them and plan to feature them on my blog in the future.
In 2010, Terry gave me a 4th generation iPod Touch. I used it for over a decade until I made the switch to listening to music on my phone, mainly because I could load up over 128 GB of music on it compared to the iPod's 16 GB. I still have that iPod and occasionally use it at home. It's a reminder of how much joy music has always brought me.
Dolly Parton's "Songteller" book, given to me by Terry, is another treasure. It's filled with stories and songs that showcase the incredible talent and journey of one of my favorite artists. It's a gift that keeps on giving.
One of my all-time favorite gifts has to be the FlashPad 3.0 that Terry gave me for Christmas a few years ago. I still love it so much! The way it combines light and sound in a game that's both challenging and captivating is simply brilliant. Even years later, it never fails to entertain me.
Growing up, my least favorite gifts were clothes, especially those from K-Mart and Walmart during my middle school years. However, looking back, I appreciate the practicality and thoughtfulness behind these gifts. While they might not have been as exciting as toys or gadgets, they were certainly useful and a testament to the love and care my family put into making sure I was well-dressed and taken care of.
Reflecting on these gifts, I'm filled with gratitude for the thoughtfulness and love that went into each one. Every present, no matter how big or small, played a role in shaping my holiday memories and reminding me of the joy and warmth of the season. 🎄✨
