CONTEST: What was the most memorable holiday gift you have received? Tell us on our blog and be entered to WIN!

8/9/2009 6:22:04 PM #

Ok, go!

Matt K. - United States

8/9/2009 10:21:56 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was from my Mom - it was a cherished antique necklace of my Nana's.  

Amy M. - United States

8/9/2009 10:34:17 PM #

My most memorable gift was my engagement ring from my husband! We had been talking and getting to know each other, and we knew we were in love and wanted to get married. At the perfect time and place, he got down on one knee, slipped onto two :), and asked me if I would marry him. It was perfect! :)

Leyla O. - United States

8/9/2009 10:59:59 PM #

My most memorable gift was finding out on Christmas eve that I was preganant with my daughter!

Lora M. - USA

8/10/2009 5:10:27 AM #

The most memorable gift I ever received was a bride doll when I was 7. You see, my father was in the Army and there wasn't much money to go around back then.  My mother bought lilac satin and netting and made the dress and veil herself for a doll I already had.  Even though the doll wasn't new and the dress wasn't white, I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  I'm 61 and still have the bride doll with the lilac dress and veil.

Becky Y. - United States

8/10/2009 6:43:02 AM #

My most memorable gift was in December of 2007. I had surgery in August of that year to have a tumor removed from my the left side of my face. As a result, my left ear was double the size of my right ear and I no longer could feel my ear because the tumor was growing around a nerve that had to be cut. I was unable to wear ear rings because my ear was so swollen,my ear rings were to just too small! My wonderful husband had a pair of special ear rings made so that one fit my normal ear and they other fit my huge ear! Those ear rings still make me smile!

DeeAnna R. - USA

8/10/2009 8:36:50 AM #

Last yr was a rough yr for me. My sisters went in together and bought be a statue of a Saint Rita  (which is my name).There was a card about the miracle she performed and about how strong her faith was. It gave me strength

Rita S. - United States

8/10/2009 1:43:39 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was from my boyfriend (which is now my husband)in 2006. Him and I had been talking about marriage for a few years, and all my friends were bringing to my attention that he had been talking about marraige alot lately. Well, the last 2 weeks before Christmas, we started putting all of our wrapped gifts under the tree, and I noticed a small little box. I was so excited!!! Christmas morning came, and I couldnt wait to open my gifts, and I wanted to wait till I was finished everything else before I opened that small box. Time came, I opened the box and he had hiar ties in it!!! I was soooo dissapointed, for 2 weeks I was looking forward to the gift. I guess he seen the dissappointment on my face and asked me whats wrong. I told him nothing was wrong and proceeded to hand him his gifts. He finished all of his, I went to get up to make breakfast and he stopped me and said come lay here with me (by the tree) Well, when I layed my head in his lap, he said "Christmas isn't over yet", I said "I know, I can't wait till Christmas dinner" He then pulled out the ring and held his hand infront of me and said "No, Its not over till you say you'll be my wife"!!!!! I was VERY shocked, and soooo happy I started crying! THAT Christmas, and gift, will forever stay fresh in my memory!

Shannon A. - United States

8/11/2009 10:17:50 AM #

I dated my husband for 3 years before we were married.  Our first year as a married couple, we spent Christmas with his family in Canada (my first Christmas away from my family).  This is when I received a gift that I will never forget.  My mother-in-law gave me a book on how to clean.  That is when I realized she did not think I was good enough for her son.  

Jamie S. - United States

8/11/2009 6:12:58 PM #

The  most memorable and special holiday gift I have ever received was the reaction of my late Mother (who was blind) when she opened her gift from me (which was a talking microwave so that she could prepare some of her own food at home instead of relying on help for every time she got hungry). She was as joyful as my 3 year old opening a toy, she cried and repeatedly thanked me. To me, the best part of a Christmas gift is giving them to someone else.

Jenn B. - United States

8/12/2009 1:56:29 AM #

A disco ball xmas ornament. It started a tradition between myself and my siblings to give each other the fanciest ornament we could find each year.

Kevin S. - United States

8/12/2009 1:21:47 PM #

my most memorable christmas gift i got was the time i found out that i was pregnant... 1st baby in the whole family/relatives... my mom was sooo excited, even my aunts!! (coz now there's going to be a baby to take care of) but the sad thing was, I also lost my baby after a month I found out  =(  ... so many hearts were broken (especially my mom) broke my heart to see them cry for me.  That's the most memorable holiday year for me that I won't trully forget

Catherine L. -

8/12/2009 9:23:10 PM #

My husband grew cotton and soybeans---every year was a struggle to just make ends meet, always waiting for the GOOD year! The Christmas of 1976, he had a great crop and bought me a mink and leather jacket!! He was soooo proud to present this to me--along with the story of buying it, having the saleperson model it, and having it monogrammed!  I was shocked,but dismayed, as I realized that the only places I went were to the grocery store and church---a drooling baby on my shoulder--but I proudly wore that jacket, remembering all the hard work he did to purchase it! My BEST Christmas yet!!

Betty V. - USA

8/13/2009 9:32:57 AM #

A few years ago, I received the best gift from my mom. She had collected all of the christmas ornaments I'd made for her over the years. Everything from the plaster handprints when I was a baby, to the ceramic pieces I'd painted when I was 10. There were the handmade clay ornaments and the popsicle stick reindeer. She had saved it all! Now that I am off on my own, she wanted to make sure my first christmas tree with my own family wasn't empty, so she packaged them all up into an antique tin and gave them to me as a gift on Christmas morning. It was one of the most memorable gifts I've ever received, and my mom had collected and waited 25 years to pass them on!

Jessica P. - United States

8/13/2009 9:35:27 AM #

I love reading all the above comments!

Brooke S. -

8/13/2009 1:44:25 PM #

My most memorable gift was when as a little girl, I went with my Girl Scout Troop and gave Christmas Dinner to a family who was in need.  Their kind, humble & gentle thank-you's to this day, move me to tears!  Their thank you's was the best gift I've ever received.  Tis better to give than to receive.

Milinda N. - United States

8/13/2009 4:17:39 PM #

The most memorable gift I received was when I was 5 years old around Christmas time.  I was in Hong Kong sleeping one night and had just been introduced to the concept of Santa Claus.  I wasn't sure if it was real and I dreamt about it when I went to sleep.  The next day when I woke up, I saw a doll set on my couch.  I immediately thought it was Santa and was super excited.  My mom told me my dad had bought it for me right away.  But I still cherish that gift till now, it's been 16 years!  I still sleep with it all these years; it makes me think of my dad.  

Tsz I. - United States

8/14/2009 12:29:24 AM #

It was last year, we did something special for a little girl we don't even know..

Wen Lan L. -

8/14/2009 1:48:10 PM #

My MOST memorable moment-is actually momentS.  My Dad gives me a full make-up and brush set every year since 7th grade..  I am now 38 and can't wait to get it this year!

Kelli S. - United States

8/14/2009 2:07:30 PM #

The most memorable gift I recieved was my first horse. I had been training and working with her for a while, and my father decided to give her to me as my own. Now she has a foal!

Sarah G. - United States

8/15/2009 7:32:20 AM #

My most memorable and meaningful Christmas gift to this day is my mother. My brother and I grew up without a mother figure for most of our childhood, but last year, my father was able to establish communication with her and we all had a family reunion on Christmas. I was able to eat her cooking as well which made me emotional as I had always been envious whenever I went over to my friend's house to eat a home-cooked meal prepared with love, and now I was able to finally experience that for myself.  Without hesitation, I was also able to express to her everything I wanted to say in the past decade including "Mom, I love you and I missed you. Welcome home."

Jule H. - United States

8/20/2009 5:43:23 AM #

My most memorable holiday may well have been last year.  Every year, my husband and I drive over eight hours to spend the holidays with his family.  They are truly lovely people, but I confess sometimes I just want to enjoy the holidays in our own home.  But I endeavour to make the best of it and contribute to the holiday cheer. Last year, I offered to make roasted sweet potatoes for the dinner and heard murmurings of how Meme (my husband's 98 year old grandmother) always made the best sweet potatoes, so I knew the bar was likely unimaginably high for satisfying everyone.  However, not only was my culinary offering lauded - even by dear Meme, but my sister-in-law (in whose home we have dinner) thanked us all profusely for making their house feel more like a home, filling it with wonderful scents and joyful conversations at the dinner table.

Mary C. - United States

8/20/2009 12:04:09 PM #

Many years ago, when I was a very young, single mom, Christmas came around too often. I worked extra jobs to make sure my son had gifts (under the tree, if we could afford one), but this was a lonely and sad time for me. It was not about getting things, it was about being remembered and being loved. As was normal, I sat in a chair while the rest of my siblings and their families opened nice gifts...furnitures, jewelry, etc...but I just smiled and ached inside. My joy was watching my son light up when he opened his gifts. But, when there were no more presents, my son went to his room and brought back a "child-wrapped" styrofoam snowman that he had made for me, so I would have a gift to open, too. Every Christmas, I get out that glitter, sequened and pipe cleaner snowman and remember I am so blessed, loved and remembered...it just took the heart of the child to remind me.

Michelle W. - United States

8/20/2009 6:04:53 PM #

Everyone keeps telling me that I was given one of the most awesome gifts just before Christmas many years ago, but unfortunately my memory doesn't extend far enough to recall for sure. Apparently it was all wrapped up and due to be opened on Christmas, but I, being an impetuous tot, was impatient. Three days before Christmas, they say, I decided enough was enough and couldn't resist any longer. With that temperament, I emerged from the womb to embrace the big, new, cuddly Life from my parents. Or so they say. I don't remember any details, and I'm not really sure that they aren't making the whole story up. The to-from tag that they call my 'birth certificate' seems to be making my life out as a gift from ME to THEM rather than a gift to ME from THEM. Maybe they just forgot to get me a present that year and didn't want to tell me, so they regifted what I got them and gave it back to me, thinking because I was a toddler I wouldn't notice.

Thanks mom and dad. Thanks a whole bunch.

(N.B.: I'm really not that cynical! I just thought it would be a humorous take on the situation. Thanks for Life, mom and dad--I don't know what I'd be without it!)

Natalie M. - United States

8/21/2009 12:05:01 AM #

When my sister and I were young and broke we didn't have money for a tree one Christmas so one night, after a few glasses of wine, we hung up her fuzzy green bathrobe and tied shiny kitchen utensils to it with colored ribbon. If you blurred your eyes it looked kind of like a Christmas tree.  

A couple days later we were going on a double-date to the Nutcracker. Our dates got a pretty good laugh about our pseudo tree when they came to pick us up.  When we got back from the ballet one of their cars had been towed so they went off to get the car out of impound, with the plan of returning for a late supper. They were gone for a long time and we were starting to think they weren't coming back when suddenly we heard the intercom buzzer. We buzzed them in and they came to the front door carrying a lovely tree and bags of decorations and food. We spent the rest of the evening decorating the tree and drinking eggnog and eating yummy foods. It was so much fun and twenty years later that tree is still my most memorable Christmas gift.

Robyn L. - United States

8/21/2009 6:12:24 AM #

My most memorable gift ever was when I was 8 years old. The year was 1981, and the "popular toy" of the season was Cabbage Patch Dolls. I wanted was so badly, I tried to be the best kid ever, by doing extra chores, and any other "good" act my 8 year old mind could think of. When Christmas morning came, I couldn't wait, I knew for sure I must have received a Cabbage Patch doll. I was so sad when I finished opening my gifts and there was not a doll. I'll admit, I was quite the little brat for the rest of the day. Even while going to relatives houses for holiday festivities I was pouting. To me my life just would not be the same, and how could I face my other friends who I know for sure must have have received a Cabbage Patch doll. When we arrived home late after the family visiting, under the tree in the dark was a lone present. My Mom told me I must have forgotten to open it. Inside was the cutest Cabbage Patch doll. Even at 8 years old, I felt like such a little jerk after all my pouting throughout the day. Luckily my parents were able to look past that, and still give me my surprise gift. Late when I thought about it, eventhough I was upset about not getting the doll orignially I still had fun with my family that night, and realized that's what the holidays are about, spending time with the family, not so much gifts. I still have that doll, its my remmeberance about how selfishness can play a part in the holidays when it should be the season of giving, and spending the time with our families. It also reminds me of how hard my parents worked to give my brother and I what we wanted, even when we were little brats, especially me! lol

Shelly C. - United States

8/21/2009 12:46:38 PM #

Everyone has that one person they truly love or loved in their life. My ex boyfriend was going to California to see his family for Christmas.  I hated he had to leave me, and I remember crying and crying taking him to the airport. He was there a week and Christmas Eve I received a call from him. I was so excited to ehar from him. He was at the airport and wanted me to pick him up!!!  He couldn't stand being without me either.  It was the best Christmas ever and this person will always have a place in my heart.

Julia W. - United States

8/21/2009 6:54:23 PM #

My most memorable gift was a banana-seat bike. The year was 1973 and I was 7 years old. I begged for a bike for months and and my parents always said "No."  I was so surprised when it was next to the Christmas tree that year. I named it Grover, after the Sesame Street character.

Roblyn H. -

8/22/2009 1:35:32 AM #

my favorite gifts are always ones that are homemade and from the heart.

Wendy L. - United States

8/22/2009 8:13:09 AM #

When I was five years old I was obsessed with horses. I was a quiet and respectful little girl who just could not understand why I couldn't have one!! I remember feeling unhappy about it. Well, on Christmas morning in addition to a doll house under the tree, I saw an apple in a small basket with an envelope. Inside was a photo of a horse. My parents made arrangements with a friend to let me visit and feed their horse often. I was so happy. That horse, "Misty" was my buddy for years!!

Valerie C. - United States

8/22/2009 2:18:50 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a pink bike.  I think I was in 1st or 2nd grade.  It was pink and had streamers on the handbar grips.  I loved that bike.  We lived in a rural area so we rode up and down the dirt road we lived on.  I was in great shape then!  It was so much fun riding with my younger brother and cousins and going to my grandma's house.

Lori C. - United States

8/22/2009 8:33:07 PM #

My first memory as a little girl was a shiny red doll cradle.  It's about the only thing I remember at that age.  I think it was before I started school. We didn't have very much money and I was thrilled

Marilyn H. - United States

8/23/2009 2:56:55 AM #

My cat managed to get out of the house on Christmas night 2006.  We didn't know until hours later, when it was time for bed.  It was drizzling and I was heartbroken.  We searched for him until 11:30 that night.  We left a door open in hopes he would come home.  A homeless cat kept eating all the food we left out (I was glad he got Christmas dinner!)  I was inconsolable.  My boy must have heard me cry because he called for me from the fence.  The moment I went after Davis, he disappeared.  I found him in hiding in a neighbor's yard, cold and wet.  

We were moving in three days.  I thought I lost my little buddy forever.  My boy came home!  He was the best Christmas gift I could ever want.  

Rita F. - USA

8/23/2009 9:24:18 AM #

My most memorable Christmas moment was when I spent Christmas day giving presents and food to a family who had lost their house the day before in a fire. They were strangers to me before then. This was better than any gift I could have ever gotten!

Kellie W. - United States

8/23/2009 3:29:42 PM #

Our neighbors wife passed away 3 weeks before Christmas leaving him with a 5 year old, who also was quite ill, he had no time to shop and not much money we organize the ambulance corp and the fire department to help out, Christmas Eve we delivered a tree, and a few sacks of gifts, when the little one came to the door his smile made everyone wipe away a few tears, this makes one remember how much our family means and how quickly it can be taken.

MaryEllen S. - United States

8/23/2009 9:34:44 PM #

My Grandmother was always an early shopper for the holidays.  She loved Christmas so much and got such enjoyment out of picking out just the right gift.   Very unexpectedly, a few years ago, my Grandmother passed away in October.  The Christmas following her passing, under our tree was a wrapped gift from my Grandmother that my Dad had found at her house.  Knowing how close her and I were, my Dad didn't mention the gift to me and waited until Christmas to have me open it.  Inside was a beautiful gold heart locket that she had engraved with the date(Christmas)and she had inserted photo's of my two boys.  
To me, this is the most precious gift that I've ever received.  It symbolizes her love for me and knowing it was the last item that she took such care to get for me, makes it all the more priceless.

Margaret S. - United States

8/24/2009 3:45:59 AM #

My most memorable gift for the holidays was the adoption of my beautiul daughter!  The love and courage of her birth mother to intrust her to me still brings me to tears 13 years later.

Pamela G. - United States

8/24/2009 10:14:08 AM #

My most memorable gift was a doll that I named Sara from my mother when I was 4 years old. Now I have a daughter of my own named Sara!

Nancy K. - United States

8/24/2009 4:27:47 PM #

My most memorable gift was a 8 bit nintendo, that xmas was the peak of demand. So finding one was like hitting the jackpot. I recieved the games opening my presents, but never my NES. Turns out my parents hid it and saved the best gift for last. I was bummed out thinking I could get an I-O-U, but instead got wanted I wanted. As a kid that made my day (and consequent summer break once school got out).

Forrest L. - United States

8/24/2009 10:33:45 PM #

My family were always stationed (military bases and diplomatic posts) throughout the world and it was extremely rare to see one another.  It was 1994, and my parents were living in Brussels, Belgium.  For each of the six days leading up to Christmas, members of the family arrived from around the globe - South Africa, Turkey, Italy, the UK, and the US.  It was the only time that 4 generations of my family had gathered - and it was the most amazing holiday gift ever.

Brad L. - United States

8/25/2009 4:38:16 AM #

My sister and I were around five or six years old, and the power was out that Christmas.  Well, we woke up to our very own kitchen set that we just fell in love with.  Mom and dad told us when we were older how much fun it was trying to put that kitchen set together in the dark.

AMY V. - United States

8/25/2009 10:51:53 AM #

cdziuba@aol.com   It was an afghan blanket from our favorite resort in Disney World.  I cried like a baby when I got it, it brought back so many nice memories, and we decided that Christmas morning to book a trip to go back the following month!

Carol D. - United States

8/25/2009 5:04:14 PM #

My most memorable present was my first bike!  I loved it and rode the heck out of it!

Piper O. - United States

8/25/2009 11:12:41 PM #

My most memorable present was my first dog!  I was only 4 but I remember the puppy in a crate under the Christmas tree!  Ginger was her name.  What a fabulous Christmas!

Grace P. - United States

8/26/2009 5:19:53 AM #

My most memorable gift came from my son when he was 5. He bought me a necklace for $5 and said " This is made from real diamonds and was probably a million dollars and I only paid five!!!" I will never forget that!

Lori C. - United States

8/26/2009 11:20:24 AM #

My most memorable gift was a letter I had written to my grandmother when I was five - with the typical child's mispellings, grammatical errors, etc that my mom had framed and gave to me the following Christmas after my grandmother had passed away. Apparently after going through her things, my mom found it in one of her dresser drawers and thought I would love to have it.  To this day it hangs on my wall and always reminds me of what a wonderful woman my gran was and how much she meant to me.

Crystal R. - United States

8/26/2009 5:45:32 PM #

My most memorable Christmas present was when I received my teddy bear that I named "Freddy The Big Fat Teddy".  I was about 4-years-old and I woke up before everyone else in the family.  I snuck downstairs to see if Santa had come.  Oh, yes, he had!  There was one gift that was very large.  I picked it up to who it was for and the wrapping paper ripped because of the weight of the gift inside.  I was able to peek inside and I saw Freddy who was almost as large as me.  I tried to rearrange the paper & the gift so the rip was not evident.  Later, I named the teddy "Freddy The Big Fat Teddy" because he was so heavy he fell out of his wrapping paper.    

Gena D. - USA

8/26/2009 11:46:17 PM #

My most memorable gift if a handmade box from my big brother.  It was the first gift he really put a lot of work into and I was amazed.  There was a lot of detail to it and he's normally not a crafty person.  I adore it.

Bong P. - United States

8/27/2009 5:51:34 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the birth of my son.
My second most memorable holiday gift came at the end of a year that I had been quite ill. Knowing how much I love Christmas Lights, my sisters surprised me by stringing lights on my home and pine trees in a joyful display.

Cynthia V. - United States

8/27/2009 12:00:43 PM #

The most memorable gift I've received at Christmas is me! I was born on Christmas Day :) My mother went into labor on Christmas Eve and insisted that she was going to eat her Christmas dinner before going to the hospital. She soaked & labored in a hot bath while my Grandpa went out to bring the car. In the middle of a blizzard, my Grandpa had to get help from the down the street neighbor , Woody, to help shovel out the garage so he could get my Mom to the hospital. In all the delay, I was born before the doctor could even make it to the hospital. I was sent home in a stocking :) I still use that stocking every year and it's so big, the stocking is my favorite gift - full of the best surprises!
My beloved Grandfather just passed and it feels really good writing that down.

Jamaise W. - United States

8/27/2009 6:32:28 PM #

My most memorable gift was a charm bracelet that my husband gave to me.  My father had been diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).  The charm bracelet held charms that were symbolic of my father's life...a tractor, a fishing rod, an irish setter, legal scales, just to name a few.  It kept my father close to me all the time while he was fighting his battle with ALS.

Kay F. - United States

8/28/2009 12:33:10 AM #

My best gift ever was seeing my sons Adam & Matt enjoy the holidays

Marie C. - United States

8/28/2009 6:54:51 AM #

A sleigh ride up the mountain at Breckenridge and dinner at the top is the most memorable gift I have ever received.  It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, watching the steam roll off the horses in the cold night air.  It was like we were in our very own Budweiser commercial.  I will never forget it.  It is special moments that are the most precious not material things.

Natalie K. - United States

8/28/2009 1:13:55 PM #

My most memorable gift was a basket of kitty shaped cookies. Thanks, kind neighbor, for that present X D

M P. - United States

8/28/2009 7:18:54 PM #

My most memorable gift was actually last year. I just bought my first house and I had never had my own tree. I bought a tree and lights, but had no ornaments. My mom gave me my grandma's Swarovski crystal snowflake ornaments to decorate my tree. They are beautiful and she has every single year since the 80's.

Heather S. - United States

8/29/2009 1:44:33 AM #

My most memorable holiday present was from my then fiancee.  We had been having a rough time.  He gave me a necklace with I love you written in braille on it.  He knows that when I am nervous I fidget with my necklace.  He figured this way I would always remember that he loves me.

Megan C. - United States

8/29/2009 8:12:10 AM #

A few years ago my dog passed away a month before christmas. A good friend of mine, who is an avid photography, got together the best photos she had of my darling girl and gave me a beautiful framed photo of her as well as custom photo items (coasters, keychain, mug, etc.) so I'd still see her face around the house.

Kristen S. - United States

8/29/2009 2:12:24 PM #

The long awaited birth of my beautiful twin boys, they were almost 6 weeks early and praying they were heathy. They will always be my most cherished christmas gift ever!!

Cindy B. - United States

8/29/2009 8:37:45 PM #

A complete additional set of my cosmetics and skin care -- my boyfriend went through my collection, wrote down everything I had, and went out and got me another one!  so thoughtful!

Amanda B. - United States

8/30/2009 2:42:04 AM #

My mom sent me a necklace with a angel on it that she had engraved with the words Always in my Heart. It was the last gift I received from her, she passed away a few weeks later.

Nan S. - United States

8/30/2009 8:55:25 AM #

My most memorable gift was a christmas tree from my dad after my husband left me.. I had just given birth in sept and I felt so alone.. I came home from work to find a christmas tree set up with all the decorations...

Pat A. - United States

8/30/2009 3:25:30 PM #

When I was a little kid, I always wanted one of those machines where you could make your own rubber bugs - weird, I know - but I never got one.  After telling my husband one year when we were looking at toys for our nephew, he got surprised me with one at Christmas.  It was only good for a few hours of fun, but the thought has stayed with me 18 years later!

Jill A. - United States

8/30/2009 10:29:32 PM #

My most memorable gift was this doll I really really wanted when I was about 6 or 7 years old.  It had all the bells and whistles, it would talk and open and close its eyes and had different changes of clothes and everything.  I did not think I would get it but there it was Christmas morning and I was so happy.

Brittany S. - United States

8/31/2009 4:42:21 AM #

My most memorable gift was a pair of speakers from my dad.He had bought them for me for Christmas and hidden them in the garage.He passed away right before Thanksgiving,so that was my last Christmas present from him.Those speakers meant a lot to me.



Jessica G. usa

Jessica G. - United States

8/31/2009 10:51:43 AM #

Thank you for the giveaway. The most memorable gift that I have ever received was an angel engraved with my middle daughters name and dates after she had passed away. I place this pewter angel on my tree every year.

Michele C. - United States

8/31/2009 4:57:32 PM #

My most memorable gift was a suprise trip to Graceland. Oh it was so fun I'm not even a big Elvis fan but when you got there and Graceland was all lit up with lights and the whole down south charm it was such a great experience and something I will cherish the rest of my life. Thanks MOM for such a great gift!

Jennifer W. - United States

8/31/2009 11:14:32 PM #

My most memorable gift was a surprise visit from my husband, who was in Iraq. That was the best Christmas for my kids and I.  

Jessica P. - United States

9/1/2009 5:27:49 AM #

I was 17 and a senior in high school and was told i needed surgery on my intestines, which weren't working. Sometimes you learn that memorable doesn't have to mean good, but its something that changes you and you remember it forever

Irina G. - United States

9/1/2009 11:34:42 AM #

My Grandmother gave me a doll that has once belonged to my mother
she had it reconditioned and it was so pretty

Michelle D. - United States

9/1/2009 5:34:49 PM #

My most memorable was the year my husband and I got the keys to our first home In Savannah, Ga. a few days before Christmas. We had both worked so hard to get it. It was a beautiful old house close to the river and we fell in love with it. the buyer actually came down on the price because he liked us and wanted it to go to a young family.

Crystal W. - United States

9/1/2009 11:34:51 PM #

The most memorable gift I received for Christmas was first dog in my life. It was a girl, boxer, brown with the black. I was 12 there )))))))))))))))))

Anna K. - United States

9/2/2009 5:47:04 AM #

My most memorable gift was a pair of scissors from my husband. I like to do crafts, like scrapbooking and card making. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it became increasingly difficult to cut the papers and felt with traditional scissors. Knowing this, my husband got me a pair of scissors with straight handles and spring action that were easier on my stiff hands. It was the most thoughtful gift I have ever gotten.

TIFFANI H. - United States

9/2/2009 12:12:56 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a puppy.  We were inseparable!

Tanya N. - United States

9/2/2009 6:27:31 PM #

My most memorable gift was pierced earrings. I was six years old. I remember that when I saw them in the box that I KNEW I was going to get my ears pierced...I had been asking my mom for 2 years.

Elizabeth I. - United States

9/3/2009 12:33:46 AM #

my most memorable gift was receiving a stained glass cat menorah when I was 13. I still light it every Hanukkah with my family!

Monica S. - United States

9/3/2009 7:27:37 AM #

The year furbies (yes, those crazy annoying THINGS) came out my grandma decided i just HAD to have one. She was too sick to leave the house so she sent my grandpa to toys r us daily for a month. He made friends with the clerks and got insider info on when they would be delivered and camped out. Of course, I had no desire for a furbie but to this day, because of the effort my grandparents went to to get me the coolest thing of the year it is my most memorable. My friends were jealous!

Danielle B. - United States

9/3/2009 2:30:21 PM #

My most memorable gift was a groovy waterbed that my Father made himself. It was the early 70's and our neighbor's had purchased a waterbed in the summer and it was very expensive and how we all wanted one because it was so cool. When Christmas came around my brother and I were so blown away that our Father had made us our own waterbeds and the workmanship was fantastic. The waterbeds were truely one of my most memorable gift I have recieved.

Cherie S. - USA

9/4/2009 12:08:47 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was 3 years ago in 2006 when my fiance' gave me my beautiful engagement ring.  We were already engaged but hadn't been able to afford a ring. (long engagement because of stupid laws surrounding the partner who sponsors the immigrating spouse into the country must make a certain amount of money.  Well I am disabled and make less than 15,000 yearly.  So I do not qualify to sponsor my fiance' into the country.  We cannot be married without me moving out of the states and me losing my benefits and everything.)  I am very ill and hope that I can marry him and not just stay a fiance' all my life but I love him and know that we are married in the eyes of the Lord.  That ring symbolizes the heart that he gave me that night.  HIS HEART IS THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT I HAVE EVERY RECEIVED!

Robyn G. - USA

9/4/2009 6:59:33 AM #

My most memorable gift was a gift certificate to a yarn manufacturer.  I had lots of fun picking out incredible yarn for projects.

Darlene A. - United States

9/4/2009 1:21:30 PM #

My most memorable gift was a gift certificate to a local day spa for a "day of beauty" once a month for a year. Even though I was assured that I was already beautiful, having this monthly boost was wonderful.

Linda D. - United States

9/5/2009 1:50:45 AM #

My most memorable gift was a puppy.  We were in college and poor and didn't have money to give each other much.  I went downstairs Christmas morning and under the tree was the cutest puppy.  She was the best dog ever.  That was a special Christmas.

Heather S. - United States

9/5/2009 8:08:44 AM #

my first bicycle when i was about 8.

Vicky B. - United States

9/5/2009 8:55:44 PM #

My most memorable gift was a puppy for myself and our children.  That was a gift that kept on giving....for 13 years and oh what fun we had with him.

Joyce H. - United States

9/6/2009 9:24:37 AM #

My most memorable gift was a horse from my husband. I had ALWAYS wanted one as long as I could remember. We were at my moms on Christmas Eve and I heard a truck drive up. My husband covered my eyes and lead me outside. There standing in the yard was the most beautiful mare!

Kay M. - United States

9/6/2009 3:43:15 PM #

My most memorable gift was a laptop from my dad on Christmas morning.  It was SUCH a surprise, I started crying from the excitement/shock of it all.  It was a very tough year, financially, for my family, but my father knew college would be a lot easier with a laptop as opposed to the old desktop I was using.  I will NEVER forget that morning :)

Ashley P. - United States

9/6/2009 9:55:14 PM #

most memorable was a hand chinapainted plate my grandma made me

Jennifer B. - United States

9/7/2009 4:20:07 AM #

my most memorable gift is the reunion with my husband in this coming thanksgiving after 1 year of separation.

Lili N. - United States

9/7/2009 10:29:49 AM #

My mom gave me an iRobot one year. Man did that make me and my roommate's lives easier! I was so excited when I got that. Also, my boyfriend's parents took us on a seven-day cruise for the holidays two years ago. It was my first cruise, and it was awesome!

Erika L. - United States

9/7/2009 5:46:14 PM #

One of the most memorable gifts that I have received for Christmas were my diamond earrings.  They sparkled like no other jewelry, and were a very special gift from a very special person.

Mary C. - United States

9/8/2009 12:18:07 AM #

Christmas 2002. I had a difficult time staying pregnant and at that point I was past the time where complications had happend. We welcomed a baby girl May 2003.

Elizabeth D. - United States

9/8/2009 7:11:35 AM #

my most memorable gift was the year I received a diamond ring and marriage proposal from my now husband.

Christine H. - United States

9/8/2009 1:15:54 PM #

My best Christmas gift was in 1964.  My husband had left communist Czechslovakia illegally crossing into Germany when he was 18. After several years in Germany he finally got a visa to come to the US.  We met and were married in 1960.  For the next 4 years I tried to get his Mom and Dad out and over to the US. Finally in the early summer of 1964 we got the news they would be granted an exit visa.  For the next several  months I slogged through the US Immigration Service rules and regs and finally at the end of November got it all done but my mother-in-law refused to fly so we had to make arrangements via a government (theirs) certified travel agent to book them on the Queen Mary.  They arrived on 23 December 1964 and watching my husband's eyes fill with tears when they appeared coming down the ramp was the best Christmas present I have ever had.  They are both gone now but he had them for 15 years for which I am truly thankful.

Shirley H. - United States

9/8/2009 8:27:34 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was the gift of sharing with low income children.  I participated in a local toy drive with firefighters and police men and women.  We shopped for toys and clothing and then had a gift wrapping party.  The day before Christmas we loaded the gifts in police cars and fire trucks and delivered the presents to families.  The smiles on children's faces as we pulled up with presents filled me with the giving spirit of the season.  I cannot wait to participate again!

Annelisse Q. - United States

9/9/2009 2:46:41 AM #

When my husband and I first started out 17 years ago, we were just out of high school. We had just moved into our own apartment and were barely making ends meet. My husband lost his job RIGHT before Christmas. We had no money for bills, let alone gifts. My family gave us a christmas tree and we were so grateful, but being that we had just started out, we had no ornaments,lights etc...So we had a beautiful plain green christmas tree in our living room. I got up to go to work about a week before Christmas. When I came home, what I saw took my breath away. My boyfriend (now husband) had spent the entire day cutting out paper snowflakes of all different shapes and sizes. He had covered the entire tree with them. It was the most beautiful tree I had ever seen and I had never cried harder or loved him more.  Now 17 years later we are in a much better position, but every year, the last thing that goes on the tree is one of the paper snowflakes I saved from that year. It means more to me than any gift that ever has been or ever will be under the tree.

Monique R. - United States

9/9/2009 9:41:28 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a trip to Las Vegas, arriving on New Year's Eve. It was great! My best freind went with me, and we had a fantastic time.

Cindy L. - United States

9/9/2009 4:00:39 PM #

The year after my Grandmother passed away, my Dad gave me the old chairs that had sat on her porch,for time out of mind for Christmas. They had been covered every year or two with a fresh coat of whatever paint was around,lastly being green. He had transformed them! Somehow he had gotten down to the wood, and beautifully refinished them.He has passed on also now. Those chairs are such a treasure of memories to me I can almost smell the honeysuckle breezes that surrounded us on that porch.

Mary S. - United States

9/9/2009 10:08:25 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a much needed coat I could not afford, given to me by my mother and sisters. It was 15 years ago and money was really tight. I remember my oldest sister asking me at a family gathering where my coat was at and I told her I had it on. It was a thin jacket but all I had. I had no words  when I opened that gift! I remember sporting that new coat around like it was worth millions. To me it was!  I will always remember how much it meant to me and how special they made me feel. I'm very blessed and thankful.

Pamela D. - United States

9/10/2009 4:42:08 AM #

my most memorable gift was a little bit of $$ to pay my last semester of college in 1977. that was when education did not cost so much--a semester (with room and board) was a couple hundred $$-I was able to graduate.

Cathie M. - United States

9/10/2009 5:00:38 PM #

If you would of asked this question a few months ago I would of said on christmas 2000 the diamond ring under the tree and the proposal of marriage but at this  moment right now the greatest gift anyone could ever give to me is, after my husband was diagnosed two months ago with colon cancer and after having surgery just this past week we were told by his doctor that he is now officially a cancer survivor and is cancer free!

Kathleen C. - United States

9/10/2009 11:10:00 PM #

I'll never forget this day as long as I live. It was gift for My Grandparents & me & my brother too. We were suprised w/ a trip to San Diego back in 1979. We went in Febuary of 1980. The look on their faces was euphoria. RIP Grandpa & Grandma. Miss you.

Jeff Z. - United States

9/11/2009 6:15:14 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was when I was about 10 or 11. My mother set up a scavenger hunt for my gifts, and my sister's, too.  It was such fun. We'd find a note in the chandelier, and that would lead us to a place where another note was. FINALLY we got to our gift. It was a beautiful Patsy Ann doll and in a treasure chest was an entire trousseau for her. And we each had different outfits for our doll. There was a nightgown, and negligee and a wedding gown and veil, and even a going away outfit.  We were thrilled and enjoyed Patsy ann for many, many years.

May Schultz
may041827@yahoo.com

May S. - United States

9/11/2009 12:49:09 PM #

My most memorable gift (and not in a GOOD way!) was the half used bottle of perfume from my sister-in-law.

Stacy D. - United States

9/11/2009 7:06:49 PM #

My most memorable gift was when I was about 7- the year Cabbage patch kids were a huge craze. My family absolutely couldn't afford one and I knew not to even ask. My grandmother made me one herself, even nicer than the store-bought ones. I still have it saved to this day! :)

Jenna O. - United States

9/12/2009 1:12:29 AM #

My most memorable gift for Christmas was my daughter Annabella. She was a miracle and many years of trying!!

KRISTEN M. - United States

9/12/2009 8:02:41 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a surprise trip to St. Maarten.  Leaving that day! Awesomeness.

Katherine D. - United States

9/12/2009 2:14:36 PM #

One year when I was a college student, mom was having a pretty rough time of it financially. So for Christmas she gave me what she had.. a great big box of food (for a starving college student it was a fortune in and of itself!)  Tucked inside the box was a plain composition book.  She had painstakingly handwritten all of hers, grandmas and the family's recopies.  I was so overcome by this I wept.  Poor mom though I was upset with the gift. OF ALL THINGS!!! I treasure that book and have added my own to it for my children to have one day.

Colleen S. - United States

9/12/2009 8:16:24 PM #

I received my engagement ring on Christmas 28 years ago. I still wear it and cherish it every day.

Ellie W. - United States

9/13/2009 3:31:57 AM #

During the holidays last year, on November 14th, I got a second chance at life....
Only by the Grace of God.

To my loving, supportive, wonderful family and fiance (now husband) who stood by me at my absolute worst; God Bless you every single day of of your lifes!

Tear... life is a miracle, Today tell the ones who make it happen you love them... especailly this holiday season, for some of us it could be our last

Amber S. - United States

9/13/2009 9:33:52 AM #

When I was about 7 I recieved my first Barbie.  My grandfather found out and made sure that Barbie had a wonderful house warming gift by making me a full set of furniture.  I played with them for years.  When I was older they got passed on to my niece who found just as much joy in them as I did.

Wendy B. - United States

9/13/2009 4:31:02 PM #

When I was younger I got a cabbage patch kid with the plastic curling iron. Me and my sister each played with ours a lot. I thought it was the neatest thing and enjoyed the gift.

Shilo B. - United States

9/13/2009 10:45:50 PM #

My most memorable gift was a doll that I got on Christmas day.She had curly brown hair and open and close green eyes, her dress was a beautiful red color. It was the 1950's and it was a much simpler time then. My mom and dad made sure my sister and I had always what we needed. I still love and cherish my doll till this day.

Marsha H. - United States

9/14/2009 4:53:15 AM #

I will always remember a tie I received sometime in the 1990's from my mother-in-law. She bought it for me knowing how much I love ties. This one was special though,it had my favorite cartoon character Mickey Mouse on it.Its the most interesting gift I ever received.

David H. - United States

9/14/2009 1:51:30 PM #

When I was 8 my house burned down 3 weeks before christmas. I wrote a letter to santa asking for basic stuff we needed and I remember getting my own little towel set and being really happy about it. To this day I don't know if my parents bought it or if it was given to us from a charity.

Margaret B. - United States

9/15/2009 3:04:24 AM #

When my older daughter was still a toddler, my husband gave me a top of the line sewing machine for Christmas, because he knew I loved to sew and was planning to make most of her clothes.  Forty-five years later, I have gone through 3 machine heads, but the cabinet is still actively in use--not as unmarred and shiny as before, but really a record of many years of love.

Carol G. - United States

9/15/2009 9:20:25 AM #

When I was 15, my father special-ordered a pair of size 5 men's teeny-tiny combat boots for me for a holiday gift. He then stuffed them with $1 bills, wrapped 'em up, and put a note on there "from General Patton" -- I'll never forget how much effort he went to in finding the very right gift for his weird, quirky kid.

Anne T. - United States

9/15/2009 3:24:44 PM #

I was eight years old and my cousin Alec arrived from CA - our whole family had gone out to dinner - his treat - we never went out to dinner - we hardly had any money since just 6 years before we had emigrated from Rumania.  He took me with him into the tobacco store that was part of the hotel where the restaurant was.  he was buying cigars and I looked up to see around the top of the walls was an array of what were then called, "Princess" dolls.  They were big dolls that had huge skirts that fanned out.  I was entranced.  Alec smiled and said, "Pick out any one you want."  This to a child who had one doll and a doll bed and that was it.  I picked a dark-haired beauty in an emerald green dress trimmed with black lace.  I never got to see Alec again but I have never forgotten his generosity.

Joy H. - United States

9/15/2009 9:33:27 PM #

The gift of discovery that my husband can not cook.  When I first met my husband he lived 300 miles from me, leaving only limited visits to each other, twice a month.  The first time I went to visit him he planned a very heartfelt, home made dinner for me.  He attempted to prepare chicken Parmesan with bread sticks and salad.  What I received was very burnt chicken topped with way too much cheese & pasta sauce.  The frozen bread sticks- like croutons.  The salad, pieces of lettuce that were floating in Italian dressing.  He was so disappointed because he tried so hard to make the dinner perfect.  That moment I knew two things- that he should never cook dinner again & that it was the most thoughtful thing anyone had ever done for me.  That was more of a gift than anything I had ever received.

Nicole H. - United States

9/16/2009 3:33:34 AM #

When I was seven I got my first two-wheel bike.  I remember how excited I was.

Cynthia C. - United States

9/16/2009 9:42:11 AM #

My most memorable gift...
A hand made gift card book.   The gift cards were redeemable for help around the house:  doing chores, cleaning, helping with the garden, supper dates, etc.  
This was so appreciated as my late husband had past away earlier in the year and I was always asking for extra help around the house!

PAULA M. - United States

9/16/2009 3:47:57 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the birth of my son Matthew. He was just perfect!

Sharisse B. - United States

9/16/2009 9:49:20 PM #

my most memorable gift was the year my husband bought me a mercedes.  The car was wonderful, but it was my boys excitement that I will remember forever.  We  always watch each other open their gifts, the boys go first and then it's my turn and then my husband.  The car wasn't ready so my husband put a photo of the car in a frame.  I opened the frame and said thank you, without looking at the picture.  The boys went crazy..as they were waiting in anticipation of my reaction.  When I looked at the picture, I still didn't realize what it meant.  Their excitement and happiness was a priceless gift.

Debbie F. - United States

9/17/2009 3:54:17 AM #

The most memorable holiday gift I've received was this gorgeous porcelain doll that my aunt bought me when she was in Canada. I collect porcelain dolls & this one was just beautiful and so very original! :)

Deanna G. - United States

9/17/2009 9:58:25 AM #

My father is the quiet, rugged type. Growing up, he worked long hours to ensure our basic needs were met. When he wasn't working, he and my mom were busy building a home in which much of it was done with their own hands.  Needless to say, we didn't see him much. While dad enjoys the holidays, and always made a point to be home to celebrate, the holiday shopping has never been his forte - that was mom's specialty.  However, one year he quietly purchased both my mom and I beautiful heart shaped jewelry boxes.  These exquisite boxes had intriquite rose patterns and delecate borders. Each of the three pronged legs were adorned with additonal gold leafing detail.  When you opened the hinged lid, the delicate sounds of "Music Box Dancer" would chime.  Soft gold velvet delecately lined half of the interior box while you could watch the tiny steel pins and cylinder play the melody through a gold etched window on the other side of the interior box.  This beautiful treasured gift is the only gift I remember my father personally buying for me but that is what makes it so special. He personally took the time to buy something that reminded him of us.  It is certainly my most treasured gift, and still has a special place on my nightstand.

Jeannie N. - United States

9/17/2009 4:15:42 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a full size heavy boxing bag and boxing gloves I received from my then boyfriend(now husband). We were in the store and I said that I liked it, which I did, just not for a Christmas gift. Not really something I expected to get from someone who was supposed to be trying to impress me. His mother was so furious that he bought me that and still talks about it eight years later!

Stephanie S. - United States

9/17/2009 10:27:46 PM #

I was 12 years old.  It was the Christmas break from school.  I came down with the chicken pox and was unable to attend any holiday parties.  My Teacher sent me flowers to my home with a big bow and box of candy.  These were my first flowers and I still remember exactly what they look like (I'm 50).  I felt so special, even though I was covered in blisters.  

Michelle F. - United States

9/18/2009 4:27:48 AM #

My most memorable gift thus far was gifted to me by my current boyfriend, Felipe, during our first Christmas together during college in  2005 .  I had been joking with him about how much I loved Kenny Chesney, even though Felipe detests Country Music.  He jokingly forbad me to buy it, even though I had no real intention of buying the CD.  However, my roommate ended up confessing that she was going to buy the CD for me for Christmas, and so I didn´t need to buy a copy.  I didn´t think anything more of it until it came time to open the presents from both of them.  

I had opened my  roommate´s  gift first, and I was a little surprised not to see the CD as part of the gift.  To my astonishment, instead I opened up Felipe´s gift and found two CDs.  The top version included a CD of the top hits by Feli Chesney entitled "She thinks my Accent´s Sexy" (Felipe is from Ecuador). The cover had a picture of Felipe´s face on top of Chesney´s more muscularly toned body.  Underneath that, he included the actual copy of KC´s CD with the original version of "She thinks my Tractor´s Sexy".  And of course, my roommate was in on it.  She told me how he had been obsessing on how to make our first gift exchange perfect.  I found it completely romantic and thoughtful, and I guess that it why we are still together after 4 years.  

Elizabeth H. - United States

9/18/2009 10:33:00 AM #

Christmas Eve in 1995 when my husband (then boyfriend) gave me a beautiful diamond ring and proposed to me at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC It was the most romantic weekend and the most memorable gift I ever received for Christmas!

Joy S. - United States

9/18/2009 4:35:08 PM #

Best gift was from my employer who surprised with an extra 2 days off from work to enjoy the holidays. Priceless.

Yvonne C. - United States

9/18/2009 10:40:45 PM #

The best gift was from my mom when I was 9...it was a black poodle puppy wearing a huge red ribbon.  We named her Sam.  Sam taught me compassion, unconditional love, respect, commitment, and how to take care of the basic needs of someone else.  My favorite times with her was when I painted my nails, she would let me paint hers' too!  Our favorite color was hot pink!  

Elizabeth D. - United States

9/19/2009 4:50:55 AM #

My most memorable Gift was the birth of my son Jack.My husband and I experienced a miracle on December 18th;the day he was born as he was never meant to be.From the hospital window in the cold stillness of winter and the Nativity scene below my room the feeling of Wonderment and Awe was instilled in us forever.

Marie M. - United States

9/19/2009 12:49:10 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was the year my husband had to go out of state on emergency business.  I thought we would spend Christmas apart, but he flew in on Christmas eve just to spend a few hours together before he had to leave again.

Julie H. - United States

9/19/2009 7:19:05 PM #

The most memorable Holiday gift was the one I didn't get!  My father-in-law, George, had traveled to China during the fall of 2005.  While there, he purchased a string of pearls for each of his daughters and me.  His intention was to give them to us at Christmas.  Towards the end of the trip, George suffered a severe injury and had to be transported back to the US for surgery.  During his trauma, the pearls intended for me were misplaced, and later we found out that they had been mistakenly thrown in the trash (in his haste to exit the country, they had been wadded up in tissue).  So I don't have pearls, but I do have knoledge that my dear father-in-law endeavored to gift me, even through his trauma.  I will alwqays be grateful for his love.  

Jennifer B. - United States

9/20/2009 1:20:15 AM #

My most memorable gift was a happy bunny checkers game. it wasn't just a regular checkers game, but it had sayings and things on the checkers you had to go. some of the sayings were pretty hilarious, which is probably why i remember it best.

Cynthia Y. - United States

9/20/2009 7:56:48 AM #

MY most memorable gift was my son who was born on December 1.

Kathleen P. - United States

9/20/2009 2:13:46 PM #

My most memorable gift was given to me by my aunt and uncle.  My uncle had worked in China for a year and had brought back a beautiful hand carved laquered jewelry box with a very intricate inlaid countryside setting with cranes and mountains.  I still have it today.

Brett M. - United States

9/20/2009 9:09:11 PM #

I was my dog Tiger!! He was a gift from my husband and I love it!! He's now 7 yeas old .

Lori Z. - United States

9/21/2009 4:14:10 AM #

My most memorable gift was my engagement ring from my husband.

I had been a single divorced mom for twelve years. I had dated on and off for those years but never found anyone that would accept my two children as their own. My son was severly ADHD and it would tend to send my dates running.
I had been dating my husband for about eight months and I knew that he was perfect for the three of us. He never treated my children any different than he did his own. And loved us all unconditionally. He wa definitely a Godsend.

We just celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary and life could not be better.

Thank you so much for the chance to win.

jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com

Jill M. - United States

9/21/2009 11:03:35 AM #

My most memorable gift was from my father, who also raised me as a single parent.  We never had much money but he always tried to get me something for Christmas.  He told me every year that he really wanted to get me a pair of diamond stud earrings and that someday he would.  I always told him I did not need them whatever we could afford was fine.  He saved up the money unknown to me and gave me a pair of diamond earrings when I was 24.  The smile on his face was better than the earrings!  It was the last gift he was able to give me, he passed away a few months later.  Sometimes it is hard to wear them because I miss him but I know how much it meant to him just to be able to give them to me after so long.

Rochelle G. - USA

9/21/2009 5:53:17 PM #

My favorite present that I received from my long-distance boyfriend a few years ago was a stuffed bear and a set of perfumed massage oils and lotions.  Every time we visited with each other we'd have a chance to use them, and since it was such a huge bottle it's become a tradition to this day!  More importantly, the stuffed bear is the perfect boyfriend substitute in between our visits.

D E - United States

9/22/2009 12:00:25 AM #

My most memorable gift was a beautiful Journey pendant my husband gave me before he was deployed and he told me that our journey had just begun.  He was right and when he came back we started back on our journey.  Thank you for the wonderful giveaway!

Christine F. - United States

9/22/2009 6:12:47 AM #

My most memorable gift was a book, a collection of three of Jane Austen's novels, one of my favorite authors, from my boyfriend.  I love to search through used bookstores and find classic literature in hardbound, as I'm sort of collecting for a private library.  My boyfriend found this book in a local used bookstore and knew it was the perfect gift for me.  It's in great condition, too.  His thoughtfulness in finding something I love is what makes it my most memorable gift.

Hannah T. - USA

9/22/2009 12:15:48 PM #

The most memorable gift I received was my engagement ring from my husband.  That was the best Christmas gift ever.

Anne G. - United States

9/22/2009 7:17:48 PM #

The most memorable gift I received was a glass tea set from my dad when I was 5 years old, I saw it in a catalogue and I wanted it and my dad went out on xmas eve in the snow to get it for me because it was one gift that I really wanted and my dad has been dead for 26 years but I still remember that gift.

Connie S. - United States

9/23/2009 1:29:01 AM #

The most memorable gift I received was a pair of Korean dolls in wedding outfit.  I was the third child that always overshadowed by my two not only super intelligent but also much older siblings.  That's the first time my father asked me what I want when he visit Korea...  I only ask one doll, and he gives me two in those astonishing beautiful traditional Korean wedding outfit, displayed in a beautiful etched glass doom on a shinny smooth red wood base with my name plate on it...  That year was 1985, I was a freshman in college...  My father past away 4 years later...  Although my sister-in-law kept it for herself for some cheap bully reason...  I cherish the wonderful memory in my mind--my father had regonized me--finally...

Theresa H. - United States

9/23/2009 8:38:34 AM #

My most memorial gift was a kitten.

Patricia T. - United States

9/23/2009 2:52:36 PM #

I was in New Zealand. I moved there to be with my boyfriend. Where I worked, everyone had to work on Christmas Eve. Somehow my boyfriend got me out of it. He wouldn't tell me what he had in store. On Christmas Eve I left work early and got ready. He blindfolded me and didn't tell me where we were going. When he took the blindfold off we were standing at the foot of the T.S.S. Earnslaw steamship. He had a boat ride planned and later on a dinner and a farm tour on the island. It was nice, but I still didn't understand how this could have gotten me off working. On the boat, we ended up sitting next to a couple from Oregon. The gentleman told my boyfriend that the best way to get a green card to the states was by marrying me. My boyfriend shook his head and said we weren't ready for that yet...fifteen minutes later, he was proposing to me in a garden on the island!!! Dinner followed, a long with a cake, an engagement announcement, and the piano player playing one of our favorite songs. Later on, he said the look on my face was priceless when he said we weren't ready for marrige!

Emily D. - United States

9/23/2009 11:36:02 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was my first bottle of perfume.

Sarah K. - United States

9/24/2009 6:26:49 AM #

A watch from my older brother. At the time I didn't understand what it meant but the fact that he paid for something so special himself was inspiring. It was the first gift that he ever gave me.

Chenoa C. - United States

9/24/2009 9:56:18 PM #

The christmas after my 16th birthday when my grandmother gave me my first car.

Joyce B. - United States

9/25/2009 5:50:03 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift I am lucky to have it each 24 of December when i travel to my home country (Spain) and have dinner with my complete family
Maria L. United States

MARIA L. - United States

9/25/2009 12:29:09 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the birth of my son on Dec. 20th, and bringing him home for the first time on Christmas eve. Such a special Christmas, one I will never forget!
itsjustbrig(at)gmail(dot)com

Brigitte W. - United States

9/25/2009 6:30:13 PM #

Mine is the age old story of a husband buying his wife the WRONG thing for Christmas.  I had just gotten married and he got me a vacuum cleaner.  The funny thing was that his kids (grade school age) yelled at him and told him he should buy his wife jewelry or something "pretty" and not a vacuum cleaner.

Susan B. - United States

9/26/2009 1:06:33 AM #

The most memorable gift I received was a plush stuffed Sebastian (The crab) from the movie The Little Mermaid :D I was in high school when it was released and it was my absolute fave.  My boyfriend at the time looked near and far and finally came up with one, it was so sweet I couldn't believe it.  Now that I'm an adult I still appreciate him going to all that effort to get me something I loved.

Justine P. - United States

9/26/2009 8:47:57 AM #

My most memorable gift is a hair clip that my husband brought me after I gave birth to our son.  It was a very nice crystal clip with an angel on it.  It's the most memorable not only because it looks really nice, but it's also because after an exhausting night of giving birth, my hair was a mess.  I also have a family culture that washing hair is prohibited for 1 month after giving birth.  Therefore it was really thoughful and useful for my husband to come up with such a nice gift.

Stephanie S. - United States

9/26/2009 4:11:13 PM #

Receiving a drawing of Christmas with all the things that make it so. My niece gave it to me all on her own. No one told her to draw it, she just did it because she wanted to. She was only seven years old at the time. After admiring her artwork, I read the note at the bottom which said, "I love you Aunt Rita" with a big heart next to it. Through my tears I gave her a big hug. It is the most meaningful and memorable gift I have ever received.

Rita S. - United States

9/27/2009 12:31:14 AM #

when i was 9 or 10 i got a little poodle terrior puppy named pj for christmas. my parents picked him up from the local animal shelter. and i had waited for YEARS for them to give in. i once took rolley polleys (pill bugs) to school on pet day. i think that may have shamed them into the dog buying. i am 24 years old and i still have pj. he's a pretty good little buddy.

Nicole R. - United States

9/27/2009 7:54:03 AM #

My most memorable gift was an angel my mother had ordered for me for Christmas 2008(she knew how much I love angels and that I collect them).  My father had one of my sisters wrap it and he gave it to me on Christmas Day.  It was the very last gift I would ever get from my mother - she passed away unexpectedly two months prior to Christmas - in October, 2008.  It is a most treasured gift.

Nancy N. - United States

9/27/2009 3:34:46 PM #

My most memorable gift was a candle holder from my mom on a New Years Eve. It was a small ceramic house with a little candle inside. I was 6 years old and I still remember the excitement I had when I found it on our window sill that night.

Mariya M. - United States

9/27/2009 9:42:57 PM #

Mine was a gag gift from my dear husband it was the pipe he had always wanted but never got.He ended up buying it for himself wrapped it and put my name on it.After I opened it he said santa must have made a mistake.

Loretta E. - United States

9/28/2009 3:45:10 AM #

My most memorable gift was a big wheel plastic tricycle. It was my first time I was mobile and could go a pretty far distance. I loved that thing. I drove it around so much the tires wore down to nothing.

Walter A. - United States

9/28/2009 10:22:14 AM #

My most memorable gift was my then 6 year old son sitting on Santa's lap that Christmas season and asking Santa so very sincerely for a little baby brother or sister!  Unknowingly, later that month we would learn that we were blessed with the news that I was expecting a baby!!!  Santa Daddy was very surprised, as was Santa Mommy, with this news...but wow Big Brother was overjoyed that his secret wish list item would be delivered sometime in September.  We had a beautiful baby girl and our son have the special priviledge of naming her "Kristen".  He was so very proud...and so was Santa (I mean Daddy)!

Kim F. - United States

9/28/2009 6:04:25 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the 2 Chicago Symphony tickets I told my brother I was treating us to! We were both in high school and attended an afternoon matinee in prime seats. This was the early 80's ... we drove 3 hours each way. Fabulous!

Jean M. - United States

9/29/2009 12:23:12 AM #

I have so many memories of wonderful gifts that 'Santa' left under the tree when I was very young. I had 4 brothers and sisters and Santa always knew where our 'spot' was. My most memorable present that always gives me warm fuzzies, I received when I was 5 or 6. I joined my family in the hall, of course waiting for ALL to be there. We turned the corner and I scanned the base of the Christmas tree and saw all the great stuff...until I saw my spot. It was empty. I was horrified! Was I that bad??! Then my dad nudged me and pointed to the center of the room. There was a beautiful shiny, black train, going around a circular track. I loved it! I didn't ask for it, but couldn't imagine anything better. But...that wasn't my most memorable gift. When I got closer, in one of the little open cars was a magnificent glass cat, curled up in a ball, resting in a glass basket of knitting skeins. It opened and inside was the prettiest smelling body cream. It was the most precious thing I owned. Life was great! I can still remember the joy of Christmas morning, and that cat, every christmas as I watch my kids and grandkids!

Darla F. - United States

9/29/2009 6:24:05 AM #

Back in the 80's it was my Hot Wheels City set! It was so cool because I really wanted it to store all my cars and image driving around the city with all my cool cars! It's so memorable because of my parents were able to hide it from me and actually surprise me Christmas morning!

Jeff L. - United States

9/29/2009 1:27:56 PM #

My most memorable gift was given to be by my husband.  He had our daughter draw a picture (she did of a pink flower) and he had it made into a gold and enamel broach, with it he gave me the original picture and a note from her and also had it engraved with her name and date.  It made me cry.  Jen M. San Francisco

Jennifer M. - USA

9/29/2009 10:12:54 PM #

My most memorable gift was beautiful dress given by my mother when I was five years old.
I love u, Mum!

Kinki W. - United States

9/30/2009 9:55:46 AM #

My best gift was finding out I was pregnant on Valentine's Day 1997 after having two miscarriages. My daughter just turned 12.

Marci P. - United States

9/30/2009 5:21:03 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift I received was a portrait of my three children

:) Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! :)

TERESA N. - United States

10/1/2009 12:51:53 AM #

My most memorable gift was a leather jacket my husband gave me on our first Christmas.  

Sharon S. - USA

10/1/2009 6:52:51 AM #

I received a jewelry cabinet.  It has so much meaning because it was an extremely thoughtful gift.

I use to have approximately 11 little boxes containing my jewelry.  Every morning I lost so much time in opening and closing each and trying to decide what to wear.  **  Now I can simply open organized drawers and calmly browse.  **

Also, the cabinet is a delicate, beautiful piece of wooden furniture in a Victorian style I like.

This cabinet was a gift from my mother.  Who else?  She knows me well.

SYLVIE W. - United States

10/1/2009 1:25:50 PM #

The best gift I ever received was a handmade papermachete dinosaur egg with a clay dinosaur peeking out of the egg.  This precious gift was made by my 7 year old son.
Sue P. -United States

Sue P. - United States

10/1/2009 7:38:35 PM #

My husband gave us a trip to Mexico.  He put the reservation in my stocking.

Kathy S. - United States

10/2/2009 2:54:01 AM #

My most memorable gift was my daughter being born three years ago

KELLY N. - United States

10/2/2009 9:08:29 AM #

My boyfriend gave me an adorable stuffed animal version of the breed of dog I had growing up - a Westie (West Highland Terrier), and a promise to get me the real thing as soon as my job would allow for it. (I travel too much right now to care for a dog.)

Amber Rachel N. - United States

10/2/2009 3:09:06 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift is last year when my husband took our family to Disney World for Christmas week. It was so great because it was a once in a lifetime experience.

Theresa D. - United States

10/2/2009 10:16:34 PM #

I entered a very very long story yesterday about my Christmas gift - a Violin from my grandpa, and realized it was not posted today. I am very upset about this because I didnt have a copy of the post...
But long story short, the reason why I love the Violin gift is because of it has always been my moral support since I was very young to practice the instrument.

Lijia W. - United States

10/3/2009 4:45:58 AM #

Most memorable gift was a new puppy.

My girlfriend told me to go downstairs, and look under the table.. so i did...and found a box covered in fluff..... i turned it around, to see it was a kennel...and inside was a puppy!!!

Matthew M. - United States

10/3/2009 2:06:52 PM #

My most memorable gift I received was a Chatty Cathy doll from my Mother. So weird everytime I replace my shower curtain the smell of a new shower curtain reminds me of the Christmas morning I got my Chatty Cathy.

Patricia C. - United States

10/3/2009 8:27:16 PM #

My most memorable (and cherished) gift was a charm bracelet I received from my mother when I was 12. It was a grown up girl present and it had charms which were "me". Unbeknowst to me, that would be her last Christmas, and even thinking of that bracelet still chokes me up.  

Tara B. - United States

10/4/2009 3:53:41 AM #

My most memorable gift I received was the nice jacket which my friend gave to me on my birthday.

Kelly G. - United States

10/4/2009 10:20:57 AM #

My husband got me a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas a few years ago - that was my favorite present ever.  Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
Hugs,
Erin

Erin E. - United States

10/4/2009 5:11:38 PM #

My most memorable gift was a small necklace I received from my grandmother for Christmas when I was about 8.  It was very special for me because each time I see it I think of my grandma!

Julia W. - United States

10/5/2009 2:48:46 AM #

The most memorable gift I ever received was a graduation bouquet from my father. The reasons? It was the very first bouquet I received in my life and I received it on my university graduation day, and it was a bunch of my most favourite flower, tulip!!

Meng Choo L. - United States

10/5/2009 2:46:41 PM #

One year, my dad picked out matching outfits for me and my sister. They were beautiful and actually prettier than anything my mother ever got for us. He had great taste.

Debbie C. - United States

10/5/2009 9:51:10 PM #

My parents didn't have a lot of money when I was a child, but that never stopped them from making Christmas magical for us kids.  When I was ten, my father made the most beautiful dollhouse I could ever imagine, so much nicer than my friends' store-bought dollhouses.  He used real wallpaper and carpet scraps, built the furniture, even cut the doll's hair so she looked more like me.  I'll never forget stretching out under the tree that Christmas morning, examining every detail of this beautiful, perfect gift-- which I still have and will treasure forever!

Melissa D. - United States

10/6/2009 4:39:13 AM #

My most memorable christmas gift was from my boyfriend (now husband). We had only been dating 3 mths and were both in college and poor. We had discussed not getting anything for eachother. When we got together on Christmas he gave me a stuffed animal and in the pupppy's ears were diamond earrings. It was so sweet and I will never forget it. I still wear them all the time.  

Molly K. - United States

10/6/2009 11:21:16 AM #

A few years ago, we had a gift exchange at work with a group of girls I workout with at lunch.  The rules were the monetary limit of course, but it needed to be the most creative idea that you could think of.  My friend got me a gift certificate to get a belly button ring.  I couldn't stop laughing and actually had it done!

Pauline M. - United States

10/6/2009 5:46:53 PM #

My four brothers made my sisters and me a play kitchen - the stove was a box with burners made out of coffee can lids, and the refrigerator was a box that opened and was filled with washed out boxes and cans of food.  It was so exciting!

Pat R. - United States

10/7/2009 12:27:57 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was my necklace that my boys and my husband gave me. It was a heart that said mom with little diamonds around it.

Kathy T. - United States

10/7/2009 6:52:58 AM #

When I was little, my family had many financially rough years. My mother received a wonderful gift that year. Rather than offering outright charity, the Salvation Army approached her and asked for her assistance in making outfits for teddy bears and dolls for their adopt-a-family program. In return for her artistic services, she received assistance with her Christmas shopping for her three children. Even with that help, however, my favorite gift was the antique jewelry box she gave me from her childhood, into which she had placed some of her old clip-on earrings and other jewelry.

My father and I are still grateful for the Salvation Army; not just for their help that year, but also for the gift of dignity they gave my mother. Anytime we see the bell ringer, we cheerfully dump any pocket change or spare money into the red bucket, entering and exiting the store.

Amanda F. - United States

10/7/2009 1:20:27 PM #

my favorite gift moment was when i got my crossbows and catapaults game, i played with it all of the time for years, i loved it as a kid
dreamcleavers@yahoo.com

Lance P. - United States

10/7/2009 8:07:29 PM #

After a couple of very rough years medical-wise and several surgeries my daughter bought me a little shih-tzu so I had a lap-dog because we had 4 dogs and they were too big and I was sad they couldn't sit with me since the slightest movement hurt me.  It was her first job and she went through so much to surprise me on Christmas morning.  Funniest thing- all of my dogs except the Shih-tzu are lapdogs.

Sherry C. - United States

10/8/2009 2:13:41 AM #

My most cherished holiday gift was last hannukah when we didn;t have much money and we exchanged little "foodie" things for 8 nights.

Nycole K. - United States

10/8/2009 8:27:58 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the birth of my daughter.

Yanina T. - United States

10/8/2009 3:00:04 PM #

The one Christmas I will always remember is when my husband and I were just married and we decided to have everyone over to our house.  Our family is not into big gifts, and my husband played a little joke on me.  He presented me with a very pretty package which turned out to contain the most tacky Christmas-themed sweatshirt on the planet.  We both were laughing so hard we were crying, and could not stop for about 15 minutes.  What was a little sad is that his family could not even tell what was so funny to us!  I still have the sweatshirt, but I do not know if I will be able to ever wear it and keep a straight face.

Valerie R. - United States

10/8/2009 9:36:31 PM #

My most memorable gift was when I was 16 and my mom surprised me with a trip to Walt Disney World in Flordia!

Holly C. - United States

10/9/2009 4:24:03 AM #

My most memorable gift was a very simple one.  A good friend gave me a CD of meaningful songs inside a custom-made case with a collage that showcased our favorite memories and laughs.  All of the songs, as well as the art on the case, were meaningful; and they reminded me of favorite times together, made me laugh, or inspired me.  I still listen to that CD today even though it was given to me 7 years ago.  It didn't cost any money, but it was the best gift I have ever received.

Jaime S. - United States

10/9/2009 10:47:44 AM #

When my mother in Tennessee was very ill, my sister and I agreed to fly in for Christmas. She came from Chicago and I came from Atlanta. The trip was only two days, but it was so worth it to be with Mom, Dad, my other sister and her family. It really felt like Christmas that year. I flew home Christmas Christmas afternoon and I remembered that I had cookies and milk on the plane. That was different. I arrived home to spend the rest of Christmas day with my husband and daughter.

Brenda R. - United States

10/9/2009 4:52:45 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a doll that I received when I was about 8 years old. Her name was "Anita" and she gave me plenty of laughs and fun when I was growing up.

Adriana B. - United States

10/9/2009 11:10:56 PM #

a doll named gertrude was the best present ever!

Addrienne M. - United States

10/10/2009 6:18:38 AM #

My best Christmas gift ever was my son. He wasn't due until Feb. but my water broke Christmas Eve and he was born at 6:23 am Christmas morning!

Lisa G. - United States

10/10/2009 12:53:46 PM #

The best Christmas gift was from a friend the year I moved away for college. I was really homesick and missed all my friends. A friend of my ended up making a collage with pictures of all of my friends for me. I brought it to college with me and whenever I missed home I would just look at the collage and it would make me smile.

Stephanie S. - United States

10/10/2009 7:53:19 PM #

My husband proposed to me on Christmas Day, so I'd have to say my engagement ring

Lindsay L. - USA

10/11/2009 2:06:39 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was the key to our house, which was purchased in December 8 years ago.  Obviously, this was memorable for all the reasons one can have for a new home.  However, for me, it was especially memorable because when I was growing up my parents moved quite a bit and didn't settle into an actual house of their own until I was in high school -- and after I left for college, they moved again.  When my husband and I finally received the key to our house, it was the key to my very first, true home.  I've never lived anywhere else for half as long, and I am especially appreciative of this every time the holidays roll around.

Sherri C. - United States

10/11/2009 8:22:07 AM #

My most memorable Christmas were last year. My little sister was three years old and there is a tradition that the youngest passes by gifts from under the tree. She was so happy giving other people gifts!
Eventually she passed by all the gift to grandpa, it was very funny, because not all of them were for him, but she was just going to him. He was very sick and it unfortunately it was his last Christmas. But I will never forget how happy my little sister was giving him all the presents, and the fun all my family had. That was much better than any gift!

Michaela B. - United States

10/11/2009 2:35:45 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was the Christmas Eve I received my engagement ring just in time to wear it to the Christmas Eve Seervice at church with Bill! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net

Sharon S. - United States

10/11/2009 10:41:57 PM #

My most memorable gift was my engagment ring. What a wonderful surprise!

Helen B. - United States

10/12/2009 4:51:43 AM #

I was due to give birth on December 25th but my husband was not due back from Afghanistan until February. I was both sad and excited about having our first child, but missing my husband and best friend. I went into labor on Christmas Eve. They took my daughter right away after I saw her for a few minutes so I was worried when they suddenly taken away. A few minutes later the door opened and the nurse said they wanted to bring my daughter back in in a different way. Behind the nurse was my husband carrying our daughter! He had been given an early release. The daughter and my husband were and are the best Christmas gifts I could have asked for!

Laura B. - United States

10/12/2009 11:03:55 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a cookie jar that my kids saved money for and bought when they were only in elementary school.  I had commented on it several months prior to Christmas and they remembered =)

Bridget C. - United States

10/12/2009 6:17:53 PM #

most memorable was when I was about 8 or 9,  I got my own portable record player  and a cast album, big deal back in the 60's and for an only child a cast album was like a friend

Vicki A. - United States

10/13/2009 1:42:55 AM #

  My most memorable Christmas gift was from my very giving 8 year old daughter.She knew Angels are very special to me especially after my mom, her grandma died. Sarah,Saved her money and bought a beautiful Angel tree topper.      julie w. United States

Julie W. - United States

10/13/2009 7:52:16 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a picture of my son, who is in the Marine Corps, which was printed on vinyl.  It is beautiful and cherished everyday! My son sent this to me last Christmas, while he was stationed in Japan.

Terri L. - United States

10/13/2009 2:37:04 PM #

My husband proposed on Christmas--and gave my lovely ring.

B. - United States

10/13/2009 8:59:04 PM #

My little red pickup - my first car! A gift from my father when I had just started college.

Jayna M. - United States

10/14/2009 4:38:40 AM #

It has to be diamond ring because it is a symbol of our love for each other.

Jannet T. - United States

10/14/2009 12:06:36 PM #

My most memorable gift was an electric typewriter.  It was memorable because I mistakenly thought I was getting a car!

Kathy S. - United States

10/14/2009 7:44:04 PM #

Handmade ornaments from my sons.  I put them on the tree every year.

Ginger L. - USA

10/15/2009 3:31:50 AM #

A friend gave me a small custom made painting...beautiful

Vania D. - United States

10/15/2009 10:22:35 AM #

My most memorable gift was a Fisher Price kitchen set when I was 5. I begged/cried and begged/cried and begged/cried for the kitchen set every time I would see it when my parents took me toy shopping. Christmas morning I woke up and there were these two HUGE boxes for me...my kitchen set...It was memorable because I was so surprised...

Amy H. - United States

10/15/2009 5:00:20 PM #

My grandmother's wedding ring set. I didn't have the money to buy my own and my grandmother gave me hers. It is gorgeous and not a day goes by where I don't remember her.

Kirsten K. - United States

10/15/2009 11:16:12 PM #

My most memorable gift was my engagement ring. I wasn't expecting it but was overjoyed!

Martha J. - United States

10/16/2009 5:20:59 AM #

I get more joy of out of giving than receiving so my most memorable gift was when I surprised my Mom with a plane ticket to return home for Christmas.  My Moms family lived in Maryland but she met my Dad when he was in the service, they married and moved to Louisiana it's home state. That is one of my fondest memories.

JoAnn L. - United States

10/16/2009 12:10:17 PM #

My most memorable was an engagement ring from my now husband. After being married 27 years nothing could top that!

Terry C. - United States

10/16/2009 6:12:32 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was an engagement ring from my husband.  It was a big suprise to me although my family already knew about it.

Susan S. - United States

10/17/2009 12:30:21 AM #

My most memorable gift was a gift from my husband - a one week trip to China with my family. It's been a decade since we last were together as a family.

Ying C. - United States

10/17/2009 6:45:56 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was from my dad - I was 10 years old when our family immigrated from Taiwan to the US.  We were struggling financially, but my dad wanted to make our first Christmas in the States something special, so he bought a little Christmas tree for us to decorate.  After we attended the Christmas Eve mass as a family, he gave each of us a gift, and what I received, and I will always remember it: was a little red sled ornament to put on the tree.  It probably cost just over $1, but the meaning of that gift was priceless.  It symbolized a lot more than what money could buy:  a family that is together and able celebrate a season together regardless of financial means.

LAURA C. - United States

10/17/2009 1:53:47 PM #

My most memorable holiday memory was when my husband hid my engagement ring inside the branches of the Christmas tree - then proposed.

Shawna C. - United States

10/17/2009 8:00:19 PM #

My most recent memorable Gift was joyeux noel time here in the states and we were going to a housewarming party near the Holiday. We just moved from Arizona to Northern California, were taking this underground electric train under the bay to their new home into a favorite city and realized I forgot to put on deodorant as I was nervous riding this train under tons of water in a tube! When we got out we walked into a large mall from underground and went in to find a pretty fascinating store front that was warm and inviting. We went in and asked if they had men's product and to my shock they had deodorant for men! I usually stay with my same for years but this emergency took me away from my comfort zone. Today I only recieve from my spouse this deodorant as a Gift from that day on and last about a year believe it or not! What an unusual gift, but rememorable---true story. Merci! DH

Dave H. - United States

10/18/2009 2:00:58 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a french movie that I was in love with that I couldn't get in this country. He found it online and had it shipped from France. It made me cry!

Angela G. - United States

10/18/2009 8:10:48 AM #

My most memorable gift was receiving my late Grandfather's wool peacoat which had seen him through two wars and kept him warm through his winter days in the military. It is a constant reminder to me of the tenacious spirit and the unforgettable legacy of my biggest hero... my Grandfather.

Prab S. - United States

10/18/2009 2:12:26 PM #

The most memorable moment was when I was a kid. The weather was perfectand my whole family was around. I loved strawberry shortcake and thats all I wanted for christmas. I reember coming home after dinner at grandmas and there in my room was a canopy bed with strawberyy shortcake..

Tatum V. - United States

10/18/2009 8:45:05 PM #

One year when I was small my mom gave me a music box - the kind with the little ballerina that goes round and round. I'll never forget that, and how much I loved it.

Tesa S. - United States

10/19/2009 3:11:16 AM #

My dad gave me an Aigner wallet I'd been wanting. I kept it until it fell apart.

Kayce C. - United States

10/19/2009 9:25:49 AM #

One of my most memorable gifts was a star ornament from my favorite Aunt, it had all types of gems on it and it was and still is magical to me.

Michelle K. - United States

10/19/2009 3:48:14 PM #

When my husband & I started our family, we "vowed" not to get each other presents at Christmas so we could use our extra money toward our children. We did this for about 6 years & I never once felt like I was missing out. 7 years passed & we were spending our holiday at my sister in laws with our extended family. My husband & I both were in the family gift swap that my sister hosted. When my name was called, my husband said "I have your name Therese" & handed me a long thin box. Once I tore the pretty paper off of it, I knew immediately from the velvet box that it was a gift of jewelry. It was a gorgeous diamond tennis bracelet & I just started bawling!! He laughed & said "Not too bad for not getting you a Christmas gift in 6 years huh?" And I replied to him "Not too bad at all!"

Therese C. - United States

10/19/2009 10:10:48 PM #

My favorite gift received was a Brideshead Revisited Aloysius the Bear stuffed animal.  I had stayed up for three days straight watching a marathon of the series my mom knew I loved the character of Sebastian and his alter-ego Aloysius.  She searched high and low for an Al (this was before the advent of internet shopping!) and finally found him at FAO Schwartz.  She was so happy that I loved it so much, we both cried.  My mom has since passed away but I still have that bear.

Christine O. - United States

10/20/2009 5:47:48 AM #

My favorite and most memorable gifts are my three children.

Abigail Z. - United States

10/20/2009 11:54:26 AM #

My favorite and most memorable gift is my life with my son!!!

JANICE F. - United States

10/20/2009 6:28:21 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was (believe it or not) my Karaoke machine that I received last Christmas. For years I had mentioned that it would be fun to have one.....imagine my surprise when my husband brought one home!

Kathryn H. - United States

10/21/2009 1:04:27 AM #

There are so many beautiful memories here, mine is just a childhood memory of something I wanted so badly! I was 9 years old that year (1961) and my father had divorced my mother and won custody of us five children (pretty much unheard of at that time), remairried and had another child. I was the oldest and I was aware of how tight money was. I had seen the "Dream Kitchen" advertised on tv and had also seen it at the local store. I wanted this toy so much, I thought it would be the perfect size for my Barbies! My poor Dad told me that he thought it was a little too expensive for Santa that year, that some things Santa's elves couldn't make and Santa had to buy toys to make up for this. I was so sad that I wouldn't be getting my Dream Kitchen! And then, Christmas morning, the first thing I see - my beautiful Dream Kitchen! I loved that toy, played with it for many hours and hours!

Julia S. - United States

10/21/2009 7:23:06 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift would have to be reuniting with my 82 year old father at Christmas, 2007. We hadn't seen each other since 1972! We now keep in constant contact and I'm grateful for every visit/contact we have.

Cheryl B. - United States

10/21/2009 2:08:28 PM #

My most memorable gift was my daughter!  She was born on Valentines Day. She was SUCH a wonderful present because we had been told that I was never going to have a girl with my husband's family history (a long line of nothing but boys).  I would have been just as happy with a boy, but it was just extra special that she was the baby girl I always wanted.

Barbara W. - United States

10/21/2009 8:31:58 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was from Santa when I was a little girl. I awoke on Christmas morning to find a Cabbage Patch Kid under the tree. This was at a time when they were very hard to get. It was the best present ever!

Amy T. - United States

10/22/2009 2:39:14 AM #

When I was 8 years old I was surprised to get a burro (donkey) for Christmas!

Jan O. - United States

10/22/2009 8:59:14 AM #

The most memorable holiday gift I ever received was an plastic box, painted, and covered with sequins and trinkets from my daughter when she was about five or so.  I treasured it because it was the first thing she ever made for me by herself, not as a project for school, and to this day I still have it on my bedroom dresser!

madamerkf at aol dot com

Wendy W. - USA

10/22/2009 3:08:27 PM #

My mother has always made each holiday special.
I am 42 and my mother still ensures that Santa puts something special in our stockings - and we still leave out cookies and milk for Santa. My mother puts the holiday spirit in Christmas for our family.

Kim P. - United States

10/22/2009 10:10:59 PM #

It was the Cabbage Patch Kid that I so desperately wanted when I was little.  I still have it!

Sandra Christine L. - United States

10/23/2009 5:41:54 AM #

A puppy from my Daddy when I was 9...many, many moons ago.  My parents had recently divorced, and being an only child I was especially distressed, with feeling I had no one to talk to. Thankfully, I had insightful parents who came up with the idea of a puppy. "Christy" listened to my fears, hopes and dreams for the next 13 years. She always knew when to love me best...

Sharon L. - United States

10/23/2009 3:23:54 PM #

My grandmother had friends who ran a concession at the Ringling Brothers Circus and the Ice Capades in NYC. Every year she took me to the Ice Capades at the old Madison Square Garden and we always had great seats. Afterwards, we took a taxi to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and luncheonette (that no longer exists). It was always a thrilling, memorable day and I still have the skate pin souvenirs that my grandmother bought for me.

Jill G. - United States

10/24/2009 10:52:03 PM #

I remember my mother being in the hospital and the doctors said she could come home for Christmas eve to be with her family.  It was snowing so hard, we had to walk in the middle of the street with mom to get her home for Christmas eve.  Since the snow did not let up, the hospital said she should stay home and return on Christmas day.  Since I was only about 9 or so, it was so wonderful to have mom there when we woke Christmas morning.  

Michele T. - United States

10/25/2009 4:53:41 AM #

My MOST memorable holiday gift I received was finding out I was pregnant for the second time after I had lost my first son in a stillbirth. Days later, I shared the news with my husband on Christmas eve and my parents. And that very same "gift" is now a very energetic four year old boy...and for that I am thankful. :)

Susan J. - United States

10/25/2009 10:56:20 AM #

Best products on the market!

Jean J. - United States

10/25/2009 5:01:03 PM #

one teddy bear from my bf then and husband now since he spent all his money he had at that time to get the lovely bear for me.

Chen D. - United States

10/25/2009 11:06:16 PM #

My dream of owning a house in France had been a lifelong one, and five Christmases ago, it was realized when we closed on the purchase of our "dream house" in a small village near Uzès, France, on December 20th.  Now, every year we return to enjoy all that the south of France has to offer: the history, the beauty, and most of all the wonderful people that make it so special.

Pamela P. - USA

10/26/2009 11:07:44 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift I received was the gift of daughter Gabrielle. She and I were together as one. You see Gabrielle was a Trisomy 18 baby, that was born on February 5, 2007, and went home to be with the Lord on July 13, 2007. Gabby as she was affectionately called will always be my memorable holiday gift, because I was able to feel her kicking me in the wound, and that moment will able be with me every holiday season to come.

Zadine R. - United States

10/26/2009 5:13:08 PM #

The MOST MEMORABLE HOLIDAY GIFT was when my Mother blessed me with a trip to Hungary, the country where she was born in Europe.  I got to meet relatives I never knew existed. The best part was meeting my great grandmother, when I met her she kissed me and hugged and me and told me that she had dreamt of the day she would meet her great grandchildren from America. She gave me a ruby ring to remember her by. She passed away a few months later. I have worn the ring everyday since.

Ilona W. - United States

10/26/2009 11:13:44 PM #

My most memorable holiday is a Christmas 20 years ago.  My 4 siblings and I bought our mother a beautiful gold bracelet for Christmas.  My husband also bought me a similar gold bracelet that I opened up Christmas morning. Before we went to our parents house later that day, my sister called me upset and crying that she could not find the bracelet that we were to give our mother.  She had wrapped it, put it under the tree but it was no longer there.  She and her family had gone through the trash and their entire home looking for it. Right then, I suggested that we give our mother the bracelet that my husband had given me.  This was the only alternative and my husband and I didn't mind one bit.  I was so excited about receiving the bracelet and felt just as excited about giving it to our mother. Christmas afternoon was wonderful and went without a hitch.  A few days later, my sister gave me a bracelet to replace the one we gave our mother.

Lorraine M. - United States

10/27/2009 5:14:58 AM #

Last summer I stayed at the Hilton in Cabo and discovered L'Occitane products as they were the amenities in our hotel room  I fell in love with your Verbena bath & shower line.  I mentioned  this to everyone I know and for my birthday, last July, my sister sent me your gift package of The Best of L'Occitane.  I fell in love with every product in the package.  Would be great to win another gift package from you.  Thanks.

Karen S. - United States

10/27/2009 11:15:21 AM #

A couple of years ago, at Xmas, my mother-n-law (whom I adore!! She's so beautiful inside and out) gave me a whole gift set of your lotions that included the face cream, body lotion, and hand lotions, she got me hooked on your products!  Love your ALL your products!!!!  

Mia D. - United States

10/27/2009 5:21:14 PM #

The most memorable Christmas gift I ever got was one that I gave.  We had had very hard couple of years.  Both of my parents had died within six months of each other and then I got cancer.  My husband had been amazing, taken care of me, our home, our basset hounds - done everything.  I was back at work and beginning to feel better after chemotherapy.   I had secretly saved up $1,000, arranged time off of work for him, bought airplane tickets, got a hotel and took him to the last regular season game of his favorite football team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (we live in Minnesota).  When I gave him this present in front of his family, I told him that he had saved my life.  The look on his face was the best gift I could ever get.
Bev M. United States  

Beverly M. - United States

10/27/2009 11:23:13 PM #

My most memorable gift was from my mom, a dress I wanted.  They tricked me into trying it telling me it was for someone else but it was actually being fitted for me.  Never forget it.

Mona S. - United States

10/28/2009 5:25:09 AM #

It was christmastime about 1987 or so, and all I wanted was the purple my little pony castle.  As my mom was driving me home from school one day, she asked "what do you want for christmas?" When I answered, she pulled the car over and opened the trunk- there it was!!! Apparently, she entered a contact at the Mall to win it and did.  That was the best present a little girl could ask for, thanks Mom!

Carrie H. - United States

10/28/2009 11:26:17 AM #

On a snowy Christmas Eve, I met my newborn baby sister. That was many years ago;she has children of her own now.  Her friendship continues to be the best gift ever.

Marjory T. - United States

10/28/2009 5:33:49 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was from my grandmother. Each year she would crochet a granny square afghan for one of her grandchildren.You know the ones that are all different colors but always framed in black. Only one a year and i couldn't wait for my turn. I had to wait until my 12th Christmas and of all the presents under that tree, that large decorated rectangle box just jumped right out at me. It was fially my turn and i have cherished that afghan since the day it was opened. She is with me forever.

Sandy S. - USA

10/28/2009 11:42:02 PM #

My most memorable gift came when I was 7 months pregnant with my 2nd child.  My husband's job had just moved us across the country...away from friends and family.
I found an envelope under the Christmas tree from my mother-in-law...containing a plane ticket FOR MY MOTHER! The note attached said "Every girl needs her mother when her baby is born!"  What a wonderful gift for me and my mother, who is deaf and never could have afforded the trip to be with me when my daughter was born!
P.S. My very generous mother-in-law came to visit the week after my mother left!
What a gem!

Janice M. - United States

10/29/2009 5:49:30 AM #

Over thee past two months I had this whole big episode about my health it appeared
I had some sort of tumor. After a lot fo Doctors, testing, and scopies; it turned out to be a shadow. So many people have said to me "you got the best christmas present ever" I think they are right!!!!! BTW I really like the verbena products.

Harry R. - United States

10/29/2009 11:50:45 AM #

For our first wedding anniversary, as we were very much newlyweds on a budget, my husband decided to stay traditional to the first year's gift of paper by teaching himself how to fold origami swans and then present me with 365 of them!!!

H R. - United States

10/29/2009 6:01:15 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a dollhouse my father made for me. I had 'made my own' and was collecting furniture for some time. I never suspected he was making one for me so when it showed up under the tree I was enthralled! It was beautiful! It had three stories, wonderful wallpaper, wood floors, and many, many details. I furnished it with care! I also think he enjoyed telling me all about how he made it and how our neighbor let my dad use his wood shop to make everything. It was great!

Victoria B. - United States

10/30/2009 12:06:12 AM #

An engagement ring from my now-husband.

K L. - United States

10/30/2009 6:06:26 AM #

My mother gave me a Waterford bud vase with a sprig of baby's breath ~~ to signify our first child's first breath. It took my breath away ~ and brought a happy tear to my eye!




Jeanne S - United States

Jeanne S. - United States

10/30/2009 12:07:19 PM #

My most memorable gift was last year.  Instead of giving gifts to each other, my mom, dad and I (only child)started a tradition where we donated that money to charities that we believed in.  The American Diabetes Association, Doctors Without Borders, and The Alzheimers Association could use the help.  Someone will live a better life because of our new tradition.

Erin D. - United States

10/30/2009 6:11:03 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift came the year I was four. We were very poor and were warned that Santa might not make it. My brother went to the Salvation Army’s Christmas party and promised to bring me back presents. I waited, what seemed like hours. I finally saw him pulling a box filled with presents. He was so proud. While the presents were stuffed animals, that had seen too many hugs; and puzzles missing some pieces, my brother brought them to me. His kindness has meant everything to me throughout the years, but that one Christmas I have never forgotten.

Rebecca M. - United States

10/31/2009 12:13:32 AM #

My most memorable gift came from my sister. She put together photos from my parents wedding and had special photo albums printed with the pictures. I was very touched because our mother had recently passed. I thought this was a beautiful way to remember her.

Grace J. - United States

10/31/2009 6:24:04 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was the Christmas that my three children were all old enough to have at least a little understanding of what was going on.  The tree was lit with hundreds of shimmering lights,  Christmas music filled the air and I could look at the faces of my three Christmas angels and know that they loved the magic of Christmas as much as I did.  The looks of wonder in their eyes and their trust in the fact that the "jolly old elf" had indeed shown up was all I needed for the most special Christmas ever!

Judy H. - USA

10/31/2009 12:25:43 PM #

In all honesty, at the age of 11, under very poor circumstances, my parents managed to save enough money to give me something I really, really wanted - a transitor radio (one that played both AM and FM stations, as well as some affiliate cable-linked stations).  I was so surprised because, back then, that would have been an expensive item for my parents to give me.  I had that radio with me throughout all of my high school years - music, sports, news were all what I focused my time listening to.  May sound insignificant in the era of technology and in comparison to some of the gifts my peers were receiving at the time; however, that gift was the most memorable and definitely was given in the spirit of sacrifice on the parts of my parents.

Christine S. - United States

10/31/2009 6:26:02 PM #

Just before my mother passed away she sent me my old diaper pin, a hugh metal safety pin.  It was so personal and quirky, just like her.  What a reminder of how much time had passed and how she loved me enough to hang on to this little memento of my childhood.  Every time i look at the pin it brings instant warm feelings that i was loved.

Lynn F. - United States

11/1/2009 12:26:44 AM #

Each Christmas I would receive a dress, hand-made by my grandmother.  Her favorite color was pink and each year my Christmas dress was in a shade of pink made of velvet.  It was more cherised than any item that could be purchased; Each year the style was different and perhaps the fabric but it was always pink; "Pink looks lovely on everyone." she would say.  Each time I think of Christmas I think of her, my lovely dresses, and the tradition she began so long ago.

Linda C. - United States

11/1/2009 6:31:47 AM #

My most memorable Christmas is the year before my father died.  It was the last time my entire family was gathered together.  His death was sudden, so we had no idea it would be our last Christmas and it was fabulous, apart from the fact that my father took the family photo so he's not in it!  

Nancy 4. - USA

11/1/2009 12:31:58 PM #

  the most memorable Christmas gift I received was precious moments figurines from my 2 children every Christmas. They started my collection of these & every time I look at them it brings back memories of them growing up.

JoAnne D. - United States

11/1/2009 6:32:25 PM #

My most memorable gift was 2 years ago. I knew I was due to have my daughter around Christmas. My due date was actually December 27th. My husband was deployed in Iraq and made arrangements where he could take his mid-tour leave on December 22, so he could be home for the birth of our baby girl. The 22nd, 23rd and 24th came and my husband still wasn't home. He was able to call from Kuwait where he was held over for a few days. After their annual Christmas Eve party, my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to stay the night at their house. As I was getting ready for bed, my water broke! My parents took me to the hospital, where I was hoping my husband would call any minute to tell me he was home. Finally, about 20 hours of labor went by and I got a call from my husband! He was at the Houston airport and wanted me to come pick him up....little did he know that I had been in labor for the past 20 hours or so! So my brother and his wife met my husband at the airport and brought him straight to the hospital. We got to be alone together for about 15 minutes before the nurse came in and asked my husband to shower and change out of his uniform that he had on since he left Iraq. As my husband was getting out of the shower, we started pushing. About 1 hour later, our Daughter Abbie Alice(Abbie for his grandmother and Alice for mine, who was also born on Christmas) was born at 8:36 pm, on December 25th, 2007. I know it's a long story, but it was the best Christmas ever :)

Robyn S. - United States

11/2/2009 12:43:00 AM #

My most memorable Christmas was the year my husband surprised me with jewelry from a special jeweler in a nearby town.  In most relationships this wouldn't be a big deal, but with us, it was super special because early in our relationship, he presented me with the most HIDEOUS earrings I'd ever seen for one Valentine's Day!  Since that time he hadn't bought me any jewelry, so when I opened box after box after box and got down to the gold and sapphire earrings and necklace that he picked out himself, I actually broke down and cried! (I'm not a crier and my family was SHOCKED!!)

Mary C. - United States

11/2/2009 6:43:56 AM #

My most memorable gift was during my childhood when I was about 5 years old.  My parents had been having a hard time financially eventhough they both worked but were raising 5 kids.  My Mom had told us the christmas gifts were going to be slim to none. At 5 years old, I was disappointed. I remember opening my three gifts, I got blocks, a doll on a pedestal and another gift I can't recall. I remember feeling dsappointed and then I thought about my parents, especially my Mom. I realized at that age that she wanted to give us all something and even though I wanted something more, my blocks became special to me becasue my Mom gave them to me. I also realized at a 5 year olds level that it was special that she wanted to give me something so I had gifts to open on Christmas.  I realized it was mor than the gift itself again as much as a 5 year old could understand. I will remember that Christmas over all the Christmases were I got really cool gifts. It was her gift of love that always meant the most.

CHARLOTTE A. - United States

11/2/2009 12:46:21 PM #

The most memorable gift was a pair of diamond studs that my grandmother had passed down to me. Unfortunately, she had passed away so my mom was the one to give me the studs when I turned 21. I wear them for special occasions and they always make me think of her.

Ivy S. - United States

11/2/2009 6:46:55 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a bracelet from my boyfriend two Christmases ago. We had already been together for two years by that point but never gotten each other any gifts because we couldn't afford it, and we'd talked about it again that year and knew our situation hadn't changed, so as usual we had a nice day with family planned and didn't expect to give to or receive anything from each other. However, he completely surprised me - he'd spent maybe $10 purchasing some sterling silver wire and small beads, and then many secret hours wrapping them, clipping them, and wiring them together until he had finished making this absolutely stunning, intricate silver bracelet with little beads in my favorite colors accenting its weave pattern. He is extremely talented with fine detail work like that and it remains to this day the most beautiful piece of jewelry I own. I still wear it all the time and cherish it, both because of how pretty it is and because of how much it means to me, knowing how much time and love he put into making it!

Kristina B. - United States

11/3/2009 12:52:59 AM #

The most memorable gift was from my father. He bought me an apple tree for my 30th birthday and planted it in my back yard. It has been over 10 years since the tree was planted. It produces the most wonderful apples, twice a year. The birds love to frolic in the branches and the cats often love to watch the birds that are in the tree. I share the apples with neighbors and I make pies and preserve apple sauce for the year. Every time I see the tree out my kitchen window or peel an apple, I think of my father and what a special gift he gave me.

Cynthia E. - United States

11/3/2009 6:54:45 AM #

My most memorable gift was a simple opal ring that I received from my father when I was a young girl.  He was frequently not at home due to his work, but, when I looked at that ring, it felt like he was far closer to home, and I knew he was thinking of us.  

Laura C. - United States

11/3/2009 1:15:26 PM #

A necklace and earring set from my late grandma on our birthday.

Anna L. - United States

11/3/2009 7:22:38 PM #

I could not have forseen how kind my landlady and landlord would be after moving into their gardener's cottage last December. We had had a rough year due to an environmental mishap and arrived with air mattresses, some clothes and a few pots and pans.

He insisted we sit at their dining room table until we got internet access. She had some beautiful summer furniture that she insisted I borrow until I was able to afford to buy my own. There were so many other instances of how their gestures and good humor uplifted us.

It sounds cliche-ish, but for me their kindness was, to date, my most memorable gift.

Anne H. - United States

11/4/2009 1:45:15 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a dollhouse. When I was little I'd wanted one for such a long time. My mother is a bit of a penny-pincher so asking for and receiving something like that was kind of a long shot. My mother decided to get it for me, though, and we drove all the way to Houma, LA, (about an hour to an hour and a half away) to get it for me. It was the greatest gift ever! :)

Huai-Ann T. - United States

11/4/2009 7:51:10 AM #

The most memorable holiday gift that I have ever received was when I was reunited with my grandparents.  I had a difficult childhood, between immigrating to two different countries before the age of twelve, I moved to different locations and schools nearly every year. I thought that I was never going to see my grandparents ever again, but fortunately I was wrong.  My grandparents were able to immigrate to the United States in December.  Since that December I have never asked for a gift during the holiday season, because I had the best gift that a person who is close to her family can ever receive.

Inna P. - United States

11/4/2009 1:53:57 PM #

My most memorable gift came from my sister and best friend Judy. She adopted a manatee for me. It was such a wonderful suprise! We both had become actively involved in the Save the Manatee program. But for her to adopt one for me was one of the kindest gifts I could ever receive! She continued renewing my adoption each year there after.

Patty H. - United States

11/4/2009 7:58:08 PM #

The most memorable gift I ever received was the gift of my daughter! As soon as Heather was born, the doctor placed her on top of the sheets covering me...her eyes wide open, just as surprised to see me as I was to see her! That instant, we began our sweet strong lifelong mother-daughter connection!
If you mean best holiday tangible gift, it would be the beautiful red Kitchen-Aid stand mixer that my daughter saved her money to buy for me after we lost our home and many belongings including my Kitchen-Aid which she knew I treasured.  She got a friend to take her to the store to get it (she was only 15), and, while I was in another room, hid it under my comforter (the box was too big to wrap)! The mixer will be our family heirloom.

Patty B. - United States

11/5/2009 2:03:13 AM #

The only thing I have ever collected over the years are Christmas ornaments. I started this collection as a teenager and am over 50 now. Every important event or memorable place I've been could be seen and pleasantly remembered by looking at our Christmas tree. In 2005 we had a house fire on Dec. 23rd, nobody hurt but I lost my collection of memories. Best gift ever, my mother sent me all of my childrens "first christmas" ornaments with their baby pictures on them that I had originally given to her.

Elsie H. - United States

11/5/2009 8:16:01 AM #

When I was in elementary school, my grandmother, Dutch, gave me the Barbie Townhouse, equipped with an elevator for Christmas.  She added all kinds of over the top finishing touches.  She made bedding and curtains and even installed carpet and tile from flooring samples.  My favorite part, she lined the drawers.  This gift was so meaningful to me because of the time that she took to make it special.  I really appreciated the extra thought that she put into this gift to make it one of a kind.  I will never forget that feeling.  

Melissa L. - United States

11/5/2009 2:18:44 PM #

The most memorable holiday gift I have ever received was a real live baby sister from my mother, when I had only asked for the toy "Baby Alive" that year!
Under the tree the next day was the actual toy itself!
I still have the sister too!! What a true treasure she is to me. I am blessed.

Lynne O. - United States

11/5/2009 8:18:58 PM #

It was 1948 and Christmas would be lean, but for 3 girls aged 6, 4, & 3, it was still magic.  I was in love with the garbage man and was always out there to greet him when he came to collect.  He always had a little joke for me and we'd laugh.  My mom would sometimes have cookies for me to give him.  On the front porch Christmas morning was a large trunk with a note: to jolene.  My folks knew nothing about it.  It opened from side to side and therein was a standing Shirley Temple doll with complete wardrobe.  I don't think I'll ever forget the full-blown shiver of delight and wonder as long as I live.  A few months later when the garbage man had to leave his job because of illness, he confessed to my mother he had left it for me because I made his job a joy.  He had no family and died soon after.  My mother waited a few years to tell me the story.  He was my first black friend.   Jolene W. - United States  

Jolene W. - United States

11/6/2009 2:21:08 AM #

My most memorable gift was a sweater and pants outfit that "Santa" brought me when I was 9. I got very jealous of my sister and brother, because one of them got a transister radio and the other one got a record player, and all I got was clothes. I'm sure I was complaining frequently and loudly, because my father took me upstairs, and with a good paddling taught me that Christmas is not about me, but about faith and love and not about the presents or keeping score. Christmas is my favorite holiday now because of my Dad's gift to me - a real understanding of what Christmas really means - and I try to pass that on to my family and friends each year.

Elizabeth D. - United States

11/6/2009 8:32:43 AM #

My most memorable gift was when I was about 10 years old, I bought an oversized Hershey's Kiss for my grandmother for Christmas.  When everyone was opening gifts, I realized that my gift was significantly smaller and less "valuable" than what everyone else was giving.  So, instead of pulling the gift out from under the tree and giving it to my grandmother, I left it there untouched.  After I left for the evening, someone found it and gave it to my grandmother who sent a huge thank you home with my parents.  She not only loved chocolate A LOT, she thought the sentiment of a BIG KISS was the most thoughtful and sweetest thing of all.  That was a great gift for me.

Kimberly B. - United States

11/6/2009 2:57:48 PM #

My most memorable gift was learning to walk again and all the help I had during the learning process. At 39 years old with a history of Systemic Lupus, I was told I had Avascular Necrosis in both hips. I had the 1st of my bilateral free vascular fibula grafts on Thanksgiving 2000. My 2nd surgery was March 2001. I was in a wheelchair from July 2000 through the following year and a half, after both surgeries. Family, friends and neighbors were immeasurably helpful in all aspects of my rehabilitation. Most surprising was the outpouring of human kindness from strangers wherever I went. While learning to walk again at 39 years old may have been the hardest thing I've ever done, it was also the most rewarding in too many ways to count. The gift of genuine kindness, understanding, patience and compassion was not lost on me. Heartfelt thanks to all who made my most difficult moments bearable.  Dawn McC - USA

Dawn M. - USA

11/6/2009 9:02:17 PM #

My most memorable gift was a piggy doll my mom gave me when I was little.  At that time, a singer had his album with a front cover of him and a piggy doll just like the one I got.  I liked that singer very much, and I had to get one piggy doll just like his.  I asked my mom for it, and I remembered it wasn't cheap. Nevertheless, my mom bought it to me.  I still don't understand why my mom would buy it since it was pricey, she isn't a kind of person who would waste money on such thing.  At that time, it surpriced a little girl and I loved the piggy doll very much.  

PEIJU L. - United States

11/7/2009 3:04:23 AM #

My most memorable gift is to see my daughters enjoy our special holiday.
R.C USA

Rahima C. - United States

11/7/2009 9:07:58 AM #

My memorable gift, a pair of roller skates from my parents ... Santa, on Christmas morning!

Linda M. - United States

11/7/2009 3:29:29 PM #

My most memorable holiday gift was when I was in college and going through some serious dire straits--the ability to travel back home and visit my mom and sister was so important, and was something I'll treasure forever.

Shana S. - United States

11/7/2009 9:30:03 PM #

The most memorable gift is one that i gave. My very first piano teacher when i was a child had colon cancer and had relapsed three times. It was getting worse and she decided to have one last recital with her students right before Christmas as she always did every year. My mom let me know that she was having her last recital as i live in Ohio and she lives in my hometown in Virginia. So secretly i learned her favorite Chopin Nocturne and flew down a few days early and played her favorite piano piece at her last Christmas recital. She was so happy she cried. She was so proud that I was her student and Im so glad that I got to repay her for all her life as well as music lessons. Her name was Thera Craun and she was the most influential person in my life. So sincere and genuine. She didnt make it much past the holidays and i was so thankful to be able to give back for all the gifts she gave me.

Sarah W. - United States

11/8/2009 3:37:56 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was a set of favorite recipes that my cousin gave to me one year. We were trying to keep our holiday gift exchange focused on personal, meaningful gifts rather than spending a lot of money and we decided to exchange our favorite recipes that each of us made regularly. It meant alot to me since we live on opposite coasts and every time I make one of her favorite recipes I feel like she isn't so far away - it's a nice way to feel connected.

Holly C. - United States

11/8/2009 9:40:11 AM #

My husband and my most memorable Christmas moment was finding out I was pregnant with our first child.

Caroline J. - United States

11/8/2009 3:52:18 PM #

My most memorable gift was from my older brotherTerry just after the Labor Day Holiday when my son Justin was born.  My brother called to see if I would be home as he was sending a package and to our surprise, he appeared at our door. It had been 10 years since we had seen each other. I will never forget that day.


Jan B,-United States

Jan B. - United States

11/8/2009 9:59:31 PM #

the most memorable gift i got was loccitane oh my god my friend gave me that for chrismas. and now i start using it my skin feel alot better. thz to her

Diep N. - United States

11/9/2009 4:05:41 AM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was given to me when I was in third grade. My birthday is in October and I had asked for a Terri Lee doll (something very extravagant for my poor family). I was so disappointed when I did not receive the doll! Christmas morning, to my surprise, there was my Terri Lee (a gift from my parents), complete with a handmade wardrobe courtesy of my oldest sister (I am the youngest of twelve children). She had even made a white satin wedding gown with corresponding veil, remnants of her own wedding gown.  At age 63, this doll is my prized possession, and she will eventually go to one of my four granddaughters, who look at her admiringly in her place of honor in my doll case. My sister, who is now an invalid (aged 86), at my request several years ago even made another "frock" for my beloved doll. (I still have the original box she came in.)

Brenda S. - United States

11/9/2009 10:09:49 AM #

Last year I had my son on Dec 28. That was the best Christmas gift ever!

Melissa M. - United States

11/9/2009 4:10:08 PM #

My most memorable christmas gift was meeting my soul mate.

Danette L. - United States

11/9/2009 10:44:30 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was an elegant black leather strapped watch that my then-boyfriend (and now-husband) gave me.  It was the first present that he's given me, and it was so thoughtful and sweet because he had gone out of his way to trick me into looking at watches thinking it was for someone else, then he paid attention to which watch I had the most positive reaction to, and then snuck away from me later to purchase it in secret and held onto it until Christmas to give it to me.  It was probably the one gift that I've ever received that had that amount of thought and care put into it.

Chia-Yi L. - United States

11/10/2009 4:44:31 AM #

My most memorable gift was given to me last Christmas (2008) from my mother.  She knew how much I loved angels and had ordered one from me earlier in the year. My father had my sisters wrap it up and put it under the tree. Imagine my surprise when I opened it and my dad explained to me it was from Mom - that lovely angel is the last present I will ever get from my mother as she passed away in October

Nancy N. - United States

11/10/2009 11:24:00 AM #

When I was 9 years old, my Mom was newly divorced and struggling under the mountain of debt that my father left her with.  She had 4 young children and no money for Christmas presents.  It was 1970, and all I wanted was a maxi coat.  Even such a practical gift as a new coat was out of the question financially.  All of our coats and jackets were second-hand.  
So my mother got out her sewing machine, determined to make me the maxi coat.  My mom was not an experienced seamstress, so this was a huge undertaking.  Imagine her devastation when she realized that she had cut out two left sides of the coat and needed more fabric to re-cut a right side.  My mom was out of money and overwhelmed when she returned to the fabric store.  Knowing our situation, the owner of the fabric store wouldn't take any money for the additional material.  My exhausted mother was up late at night for a week, making my coat so I wouldn't see it.  I was thrilled on Christmas morning, even if I did have to tape up the hem that she never had time to sew properly.  
I didn't know the entire story of my maxi coat until many years later.  I marvel at my mother's strength to get through those hard times and the things she did to make a happy holiday for us.    

Barbara P. - USA

11/10/2009 5:50:37 PM #

My husband went and bought me a car wash bucket with the scrub brush, armour all, a tire brush and car wax. It was the works with a bow. When I opened it I was like what the hell another job, Can I get car wash certificates with this? At first I was a little upset, thinking anything would be better than this. The next day I went outside and washed my car and it was great telling all the kids and hubby to keep their hands off my bucket. I love it and will never take anything for granite that is a gift. He is the best.

Eugenia B. - United States

11/11/2009 12:06:49 AM #

I had gone to Disney World in Florida with my family for many years during the Christmas season.  Every year I would oooo and ahhh over the gingerbread houses they had on sale in the giftshop, but never bought one because it seemed too expensive and frivolous.  

Last year, my older son was able to take off some time from work and join us in Disney World for a few days.  He had to leave early and fly back home, because he had to return home from work.

When my husband and younger son returned from one of the parks, lo and behold, on my bed was the gingerbread house!  

Ruth B. from the USA

Ruth B. - United States

11/11/2009 6:12:15 AM #

The most memorable gift i received was from my father.  It was a necklace with a buddha pendant.  He died of heart attack very soon after giving it to me for my birthday.  Now that whenever I miss him, I would wear that necklace as if he's still with me.

Seewah C.  from NYC

See Wah C. - USA

11/11/2009 12:44:55 PM #

One of my closest friends in High School was in the same art department, and decided to do a portrait of me in watercolor - all from memory.  I do self-portraits all the time, and I could never make my work look as realistic!  Incredible talent.  The painting hangs in my room here in college.

Sally T. - United States

11/11/2009 6:47:47 PM #

My most memorable Christmas gift was a pair of diamond earrings from my father when I was 25.  He raised me as a single father and we always scraped by at Christmas time.  He used to tell me someday he would buy me diamond earrings and I always told him I did not need them.  He saved up the money unknown to me and surprised me.  The smile on his face was better than the earrings.  He was so proud he was able to buy them for me.  That was the last present he would be able to buy me, he passed away shortly after.   Sometimes it’s hard to wear them because I miss him so much.

Rochelle G. - USA

11/12/2009 12:57:00 AM #

My most memorable gift is to see my son and daughter enjoying their favorite holiday - Christmas - and receive their hand-made card every year!

Carrie C. - United States

11/12/2009 6:58:33 AM #

My most memorable gift was a ring sent by my boyfriend in a cold night, but my heart was warm. Also I found the wishes from my mom when I checked the cell phone messages on my birthday. The wishes is the best gift. I appreciated I was so blessed.

Cheng-Chun T. - United States

11/12/2009 1:06:32 PM #

My best Holiday Gift is actually this Holiday.  To start off - mu husband and I didn't have children, we had "puppies", so our four rescue dogs are our family.  Six weeks ago our oldest, Abby, was diagnosed with a cancerous mass on her leg AND diabetes at the same time.  Amputation was not an option due to her diabetes.  We spent weeks trying to stabilize her blood sugar so a proper biopsy could be performed.  I finally insisted on an oncology consult as I was afraid we were wasting too much time not treating the cancer.  The Oncologist felt the mass was cancer also and gave us little hope for a good prognosis.  The mass was removed and found to be BENIGN, surprising a total of six Vets!  She is now recovering from the initial surgery as well as surgery for skin grafts to close the area.  We feel so blessed and thankful.  Abby loves Christmas (as do the others) and we anticipate a very joyful Holiday and a Happy 15th Birthday for Abby in January.

Jackie E. - United States

11/12/2009 7:38:09 PM #

My most memorable holiday was when I was a teen in the 1970's. The neighbors had just purchased one of the first waterbeds in our town and we thought it was so cool! Much to my surprise my father had been staying late at the public school he worked for as a maintainence man, and had been constructing my brother and my very own groovy waterbed. It was so memorable because my father had made the waterbeds himself and they were spectacular.

Cherie S. - USA

11/13/2009 1:58:41 AM #

My most memorable holiday gift was last Christmas (2008) when my husband, who knew the Christmas holidays would be very hard for me having lost my mother the Christmas Eve of 2007 as the result of a car accident, surprised me with a candelight tour trip to the Inn at the Biltmore Estates.   I was in awe and the Biltmore at Christmas was just beautiful.   We were treated like royalty and this very special gift eased some of the pain of Christmas 2008.....my first one without either parent.

Carol B.   USA

Carol . - United States

11/13/2009 8:06:02 AM #

Coolest gift I ever received was when I woke up on Christmas
morning, there was fresh snow on the ground, along with a beagle my parents I'm sure rescued from an animal shelter!  He was all decked out  with
a big red bow around his neck along with a harness.  He was hooked up to a red seigh and
I ran out in my P.J.'s and was tickled pink!   I climbed on board my miniture sled and
"Max" proudly pulled me around the back yard!  For years I was the only kid whose
dog would pull them by miniture sliegh!  What a wondeful memory!  I was in kindergaten when I got my dog and he
lived until the week before I graduated high school.  He was an amazing pet, and girls best friend!

Carolyn G. - United States

11/13/2009 2:24:54 PM #

My most memorable gift was a surprised birthday party from my friends. I will never forget that raining afternoon...

Nicole G. - United States

11/13/2009 8:28:04 PM #

My most memorable gift was a watch given to me by my parents  when i graduated elementary school

Miriam M

Miriam M. - United States

11/14/2009 3:28:29 AM #

The best holiday "gift" I received was the look of joy on the faces of two little children when they opened up the presents we brought to them as part of an "adopt a family" program.  The two little girls were 3 and 5, and living in a small apartment with their grandmother.  We did not know much about them before we met, except their clothing sizes.  We shopped for several days to buy them clothes, toys, and candy and surprises for Christmas stockings.  We wrapped the presents and brought them over a few days before Christmas. When we were distributing the gifts, the youngest girl spoke up and said "My mommy's not here...she's in prison."  Years later, I think about those little girls, and hope we brought them some small measure of joy.

Mary G. - United States

11/14/2009 9:31:38 AM #

My most memorable gift was in the year 1993,BET gave my family a Christmas celebration that was on the extreme, boasting a tracker trailer full of gifts, a supporting limousine with local celebrities, Shoney the Bear, The BET Teen Summit hosts & Team, and with so so many other gifts of every aspect; but the clincher, was after 30 years of having born a child out of wedlock, who was put up for adoption and sealed.  Unknown to me, my daughter came with this team for this awe inspiring gift of Christmas.  I had no way of knowing that she was in my house, helping to create this wonderful, splendor of event; until two years later when I received a letter from Child & Family Services,letting me know that someone wanted to contact me, that she was abroad and would return soon, but anxiously looked forward to a reply. I knew then this was my long-kept private secret to most of the world- the short of this story is that the young lady who sought me out, was my daughter, we made the connection over an initial several hours of telephone conversatin, and quickly learned that, the great Christmas event in '93 was her first advent back into my life after my release of her at birth.  This was phenomenal and I could never forget how awesome, my sovereign God is, to answer prayers for her all of my life for this, her safety, and her understanding that at 16, young and ashamed, I didn't know what else to do, and for me to abort was not an option, her dad and I loved her though young and in error.  My daughter now shares a wonderful life now with both her biological parents and family.  She is incredible, gifted and a forever memorable experience. I have had the privilege of sharing her marriage to my husband's best friend's son (how much more incredible could things get); their two babies with his two; witnessed her graduation with a doctorate degree; a Professor of mass media; and now a candidate for Mrs. Townsend,DE with the ultimate goal to compete for Mrs. USA.  She is awesome, and to think I have the answered prayer of having reconciliation with her.  The other wonder is that we share many things in commonm, in our first meeting we learned we both like selzer water; I also studied communications media; and was a pageant contestant.  Also, in her profession as a producer for BET, she worked with her dad in his profession at a local mall without having the fore knowledge that this was her father.  AWESOME!

Donetta C. - United States

11/14/2009 3:32:42 PM #

This is a wonderful concept,and most inspiring! Donetta - USA

Donetta C. - United States

11/14/2009 10:52:45 PM #

The most memorable Christmas present I have received was a DVD my husband made commemorating our wedding and our 30th anniversary on an Alaskan cruise. He took our wedding album and other wedding pictures and had a studio make a DVD with the music from our wedding. Then he added pictures from our anniversary cruise with the music "North to Alaska". It was a complete surprise, and my whole family was here to share it with me. It was also special because my birthday is Christmas Day.

Beverly P. - United States,United States

11/15/2009 9:21:27 AM #

My most memorable Christmas present that I have received was on the Christmas of 2006, when after living abroad, away from home and havent seen my parents for a year, my sister and brother with their children and myself gathered and waited for my parents to come, when they saw all of us together the smile in the face of my father was the best present of it all, he said it was the best day of his life.
So for me this was the best Christmas present ever... I treasure that moment in my heart.

Hildegarde P. - United States

11/15/2009 11:08:53 PM #

My most memorable holiday present was from my daughter when she was 3. They had a activity in the school which call "holiday bazaar". The kids can pick up something for the family and relatives. I didn't expect she would pick something for me, since she was too young to undertand the meaning of giving. But when she came home she gave me a pin and said: Mom, this is the gift I picked up for you. I think you will like it because it is so sparking just like the stuff you always like.
Wow !!! This was the big surprise for me. Not only for the gift, but also for the thought she had in her mind. My little tiny baby had grown up. I keep this small pin in my box which reminder me of such pure and truly love from my dearly daughter.  

SHOUMIN C. - United States

11/16/2009 6:55:54 AM #

I grew up in a family of five kids and lots of our fondest moments and memories center around the meals we shared seated at our old oak dining table my parents had bought for $3 at a yard sale in the 1950's.  A few years ago at one of our last family Thanksgivings together, our parents had everyone make a list of all-time favorite foods we had enjoyed growing up, things like Beef Stroganov,Lemon Meringue Pie, Snowball Cookies.   My most memorable holiday present came the next month at Christmas when our parents presented each of us five kids (now grown up with kids of our own!) with a handwritten cookbook.  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas my Mom and Dad had lovingly copied  the recipes on our lists of favorites and made a unique and unforgettable record of yummy comfort foods and family love. This little book is more of a treasure than anything that could be bought in a store and will always bring back warm memories.  

Christine B. - USA

11/16/2009 7:19:37 PM #

My most memorable gift was my son.  After praying for a child for years, finally after 8 years!  I went to the hospital Christmas Eve.

There was and is no better gift.
He is a fabulous human being and we feel very blessed.  


















Jackie E.-USA

Jacqueline E. - United States

11/17/2009 5:52:35 PM #

I hope you'll consider my comment! I just found out about the contest! My most memorable gift was my daughter! She was born on christmas day at 5pm! We went to the hospital on christmas eve! It was the best gift ever and I am thankful every day.

Z H. - United States

12/8/2009 4:42:25 AM #

The most memorable gift I have ever received was a home waxing machine. It seemed like an odd gift for my mother to give me at the time, but it proved to be invaluable.

Stephanie C. - United States

12/13/2009 1:15:20 AM #

My most memorable gift was my son.  My due date was Christmas Eve, but he was born on Dec. 20, 2004.  Lucky for me, I was home from the hospital on Christmas Eve.  This Christmas he turns 5.

Tricia F.- U.S.

Tricia F. - United States