best Christmas present ever

missourimary · #1 12-23-2009, 09:27 AM

So now that we know the worst, what was your best present ever?

As a kid, I wanted a 10 speed bike. We didn't have much money, and a new bike was totally out of the question, especially a 10 speed.

A few weeks before Christmas that year, mom and dad spent a lot of time locked in the basement together. My sister and I wanted desperately to know what they were doing. We listened at the door, pestered and harrassed them. No answers but "wait til Christmas".

We got up that Christmas morning and ran to the tree. Under the tree were two new 10-speeds. They were beautiful.

Over time, I put the pieces of the story together. Dad was probably on his way home from work when he saw a couple of old bikes in the trash. He pulled over and loaded them in the trunk. The frames were sanded, repaired, perhaps rewelded, and painted by hand. New parts were added, probably from other bikes he'd found thrown away or discarded over the years. All were lovingly retouched and reworked. The project took a lot of hours from my parents who worked long hours already, but the bikes were a special part of our lives for years after that Christmas, and still remind me of a special Christmas love.

Pressing-On · #2 12-23-2009, 09:35 AM

That is a special story!!!

One Christmas I also wanted a bike. While we were opening presents my mother told me that I needed to throw a load of clothes in the washer before we started out on our Christmas day - visiting three other places after our family Christmas morning.

I promptly obeyed, lifted a sheet covering the washer and there was my new blue bicycle! I jumped up and down clapping my hands!!

She always hid things, gave you riddles to solve in order to locate your gift - lots of fun. She was very creative! Christmas was always the bomb in our house growing up!

Mercy · #3 12-23-2009, 09:36 AM

The best present to date was a gift I got Christmas of 1994. My boyfriend at the time bought me a ring...that probably cost less than $100 but that was "big money" on a gift for us then. It was a little heart with a diamond chip in the center. It was sort of a "promise" of better things to come.

I still wear it.

The second best (runs a close 2nd) was a gift I got in the 8th grade. I got a red coach purse with some red riding boots that laced up the back that my mom WOULD NOT buy....one of my siblings got it for me (the same sister that gave me the worst give on the other thread...go figure).

Mercy · #4 12-23-2009, 09:38 AM

That would have been the best present to me as well....because of the time and effort put into it "just for me". I love gifts that are "made"...so to speak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missourimary

So now that we know the worst, what was your best present ever?

As a kid, I wanted a 10 speed bike. We didn't have much money, and a new bike was totally out of the question, especially a 10 speed.

A few weeks before Christmas that year, mom and dad spent a lot of time locked in the basement together. My sister and I wanted desperately to know what they were doing. We listened at the door, pestered and harrassed them. No answers but "wait til Christmas".

We got up that Christmas morning and ran to the tree. Under the tree were two new 10-speeds. They were beautiful.

Over time, I put the pieces of the story together. Dad was probably on his way home from work when he saw a couple of old bikes in the trash. He pulled over and loaded them in the trunk. The frames were sanded, repaired, perhaps rewelded, and painted by hand. New parts were added, probably from other bikes he'd found thrown away or discarded over the years. All were lovingly retouched and reworked. The project took a lot of hours from my parents who worked long hours already, but the bikes were a special part of our lives for years after that Christmas, and still remind me of a special Christmas love.

rgcraig · #5 12-23-2009, 09:44 AM

I was 16 and had a GREAT Christmas - clothes, new radio, etc. I was happy!!

Well, when I poured out my stocking there was the regular orange, apple, candy other fun things and in the toe a little box. I opened the box and there was Toyota key in it!

My brother and I went NUTS.....we ran from window to window looking to find the car. My dad had parked it in the backyard and we finally saw it out the den window!!!!!

My dad drove it back around the front of the house and in my robe and slippers he taught me Christmas morning how to drive a stick shift!

I'll NEVER forget that thrill!!!!!

Pressing-On · #6 12-23-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I was 16 and had a GREAT Christmas - clothes, new radio, etc. I was happy!!

Well, when I poured out my stocking there was the regular orange, apple, candy other fun things and in the toe a little box. I opened the box and there was Toyota key in it!

My brother and I went NUTS.....we ran from window to window looking to find the car. My dad had parked it in the backyard and we finally saw it out the den window!!!!!

My dad drove it back around the front of the house and in my robe and slippers he taught me Christmas morning how to drive a stick shift!

I'll NEVER forget that thrill!!!!!

AWESOME!!!!

My parents were so strict we weren't allowed to have a Driver's License until we were 18!

missourimary · #7 12-23-2009, 10:22 AM

Renda, that's awesome! I would have been crazy for that one, too. How nice that your dad spent the morning teaching you to drive a stick, too.

PO, that would be a very nice way to find a present-hid in the laundry. Would make chores worth it!!

pelathais · #8 12-23-2009, 11:11 AM

Two boys. Best. Christmases. Ever.

ForeverBlessed · #9 12-23-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

AWESOME!!!!

My parents were so strict we weren't allowed to have a Driver's License until we were 18!

I did the same thing w/ driver's license. My oldest was 19, my 18 year old only has her permit... but I gave in w/my baby... she turned 17 and got her license. She drives really well. Believe me, I wouldn't let her drive if she didn't... she drove me home after the implant last week in rush hour traffic, on the interstate downtown Indianapolis... I was very proud of her.

ForeverBlessed · #10 12-23-2009, 11:46 AM

In 2003, God gave me this job I have with a great company shortly after my divorce. When I first started the position, I didn’t have gas utility in my home because it had been shut off six months prior…from lack of payment. My first paycheck I took and paid the past due bill and deposit they required… it took my whole check, but at least we had hot water and winter was coming. I was pretty bad off financially, and I spent the next several months trying to catch up bills that had been let go.

I’m not sure who let my office know of the circumstances because I did everything in the world to hide it… but starting with Thanksgiving and every week till Christmas, my car was filled with groceries, household goods, gas cards, Walmart cards, personal items…

On Christmas, they got a family member to let them in my house and I came home to tons of presents around the tree. They spared no expense… the girls got lots of clothing, coats and stuff for the winter. Toys and even sleds for the snow… it was an awesome site to see. I even got presents that year… they bought me a set of dishes from pottery barn among other things…in the colors of my kitchen…they really thought it out, and they bought as if they were buying for their own families.

I was so shocked and surprised at all the presents because they had already done so much from Thanksgiving on.

I have worked for this company for over six years now, and they have been very good to me…I will never forget their kindness to me.