I was six. My mother wrote on the fold-over envelope all the names of the members our family, tucked the $5 bill inside the envelope, and closed the pouch. I hurriedly zipped it into my purple backpack alongside my pink My Little Pony lunch box. My blond pig tails bounced as I skipped out for the bus. This was to be my first time visiting the Callaway Elementary School Santa’s Workshop.
I was giddy to be turned loose with money in a store (well if you can call the cafeteria tables lined with small plastic items a store). Dressed in a cherry print flannel shirt and overalls with matching applique, I followed along in the line behind my classmates, clutching my envelope of possiblity as I entered the room of wonder. Table upon table filled with wondrous trinkets for the choosing. My childhood eyes were so easily seduced by all the glorious and gleaming treasures. I perused the selections stopping at a plastic Christmas house ornament with iridescent glitter and then I spotted them.
Boppers.
You know those glittery balls on springs attached to a headband. You have to understand I was a child who loved sparkly things. My sister was the imaginative one, but from an early age I, I was the lover of beauty. And to a six year old nothing tops the aesthetic chart like glitter and rhinestones. In fact as a child, I probably would’ve sold my soul for a mere ounce jar of multicolored glitter. All of my classroom art projects dripped with glue, and were so saturated with copious sprinklings of glitter that I left a magical gleaming trail wherever I went.
I picked up the bag of boppers. The glittery shapes waving gently on the tenuous springs, beckoning to be bought. Truly this was the perfect thing for Christmas, this was after all the season of twinkling and sparkling, beauty and magic. I was always wise and logical beyond my years. I was, I am sure, smart enough to know that my parents would not likely share my deep and immovable desire for boppers and see them as an essential purchase and somehow I didn’t trust Santa would remember to get this critical item on the list mixed in with the Strawberry Shortcake doll requests. So I seized the spirit of the gift giving season and did what any self respecting child would do I forked over the money and came home with the plastic ornament (which I figured could suffice as a group gift for the rest of my family) and the boppers. I wrapped them up and placed them under the tree.
To: Leslie From: Leslie
The tag on the package proudly bore my best printing. Between that and the mistletoe our teacher gave each of us (a tradition I had yet to encounter) I knew this was going to be the best Christmas ever. Well, Christmas morning brought a good round of laughter from my family. They were quite amused at my true embodiment of the “season of giving” spirit. They were left to share the plastic ornament (albeit with glitter decor) while I proudly sported my own pair of boppers. This story has gone down in the Whyte family Christmas lore and I never escape a Christmas with a reminder of this infamous incident.
The boppers are long gone, probably crushed by the packers during a childhood move. The ornament however remains in a place of honor on the tree probably an ironic testament to the “better to give than receive” mantra.
But for the record I still love glitter and mistletoe and buying myself the occasional To Leslie From Leslie Christmas presents (however I don’t buy them at Santa’s workshop anymore- this year it’s coming in the form of a charcoal gray couch)
Share with me some of your memorable Christmas memories (good, bad or embarrassing)? What have been your most meaningful or memorable gifts?
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Tags: childhood, christmas, gifts, giving, holiday, presents
A few years ago I was so depressed I could hardly function. The prospect of the holidays brought no joy. I had been praying for deliverance. On the day after Thanksgiving, as my husband was hanging Christmas lights, I was chatting with a new neighbor (one with whom I’d had an instant connection) in our cul-de-sac. She wearily told me that because of her recent divorce, she couldn’t provide Christmas gifts for her three girls. She was devastated. She had left an abusive husband and was better off, but his hefty salary was sorely missed.
It was during that conversation that my healing began. Later that day I consulted my husband and the generous family members who usually gave us cash for Christmas. I got their permission for an “advance” — and I spent it all on my neighbor and her girls. For the 12 days leading up to Christmas, a secret elf delivered gifts to their doorstep. We even had their family over for dinner and had a friend deliver on the fifth night, just to throw them off-track.
What began as a dismal holiday season turned into one of pure joy as I focused on the happiness of that family. There wasn’t a single thing under the Christmas tree with my name on it, but I had truly learned that it was better to give than to receive.
Great post! Somehow it is so much harder to see what other people would want at Christmas time.
I have also done the 12 days of Christmas for others and found it inspiring. I always try to find some way to give. Last year I donated to my favorite charities (grameen foundation and heifer.com) and told my family not to buy me anything. I still ended up with more than I expected. Maybe that’s telling. In previous years, most of my presents were the ones I had wrapped for myself that said: To: Sage Love: Santa!
My biggest concern is not giving my kids too much. I usually end up erring on the side of too little, but that is fine with me. I don’t want my kids to think they have to have all the latest. I want them to be aware of how much need there is in the rest of the world.
I remember our oldest son for several years would by his mother pink fuzzy slippers, year after year. DW would be delightful and excited about them year after year. Finally one year she told me to get the oldest to buy her something else. ”But dear you love those slippers”. ”No, she said, I love my son but I always hated those slippers”. That year he bought her something else and again she was delighted and excited.
Heidi, that’s a truly wonderful story. I’m glad you shared that.
Once upon a time, I was a very bratty teenager. My mom bought me a Charlotte Church cd for Christmas, and when I opened it, all I did was read the label sarcastically: “wow. the 15-year-old singing sensation.” And, as one of the younger children in my family, I was immediately berated by my siblings for being so rude. So then I cried. The guilt from that has now caused me to be positively ecstatic with gratitude every time I open any present. It’s one of my more embarrassing moments. Thank goodness I grew out of my bratty stage! I just hope when my daughter grows up and goes through a rough phase I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt just as my mom gave me.
I grew up in the poor family that others always provided Christmas for. Now all I want is to give back.
That is such a funny story! One year my little brother gave me a plastic banana. Looking at the wrapping I thought “that looks like a banana.” And it was. I still have it; we haven’t always gotten along and so I guess I keep it as a reminder of a special gift at one time.
When I was in 7th grade my dad was deployed overseas; by that time I had figured out that my mom was really the one who bought the gifts and filled the stockings. For some reason I wanted to do something as well, so I bought everyone (including my mom) a full-size candy bar and put it in their stocking. I thought it was so cool that my mom didn’t even know who had done it. But then I’m horrible at keeping secrets and by that afternoon I’d told everyone it was me.
Hilarious! I’m pretty darn good at getting myself the perfect gift for Christmas.
One year at Santa’s Secret Shop I spent all my money for the whole family on one incredibly glamorous, sparkling ring for my Mom. I thought the jewels were the most exquisite thing in the world, plus it came with it’s own fancy box. I could never figure out why she was never able to wear that adjustable-band ring every day… I think she was too kind to tell me it was turning her finger green! That year I had more anticipation for her to open that gift then anything else so she would know how much I loved her. I love giving gifts at Christmas.
Many years ago we were on the receiving end of a Sub for Santa. Two kids, no job, no money. I had been able to scrape enough together to get a little something and I’m sure to others we looked like we were fine. But someone knew. And I will never forget it. (I am crying at the memory as I write this.) It was an incredible gift of love.
Now we try every year to figure out who may need some help. We try to pick someone, or a family, that it may not be apparent that they need help. And we help them. We try to be anonymous. In 14 years we have only been caught once. What an amazing gift it is to see everyone get involved in helping others.
And I always put gifts to me, from my husband. Usually it’s a useful home item, like a can opener or an iron, but it’s funny to see husbands face. Every year he tries to remember when he bought that item. Every year. It never gets old. Now the kids think it’s funny so they will get me little things and wrap them from him too. The best is when he actually takes credit for it, and seems to “remember” when he got it. Priceless.
Heidi- what a great story, thank you for shraing, my best gift we can often give is getting outside ourselves and lost in something good~
sage- I love global charities. Traveling alot internationally makes me incredibly passionate about giving where needs are so great! We kiva loans every month
mex & foxyj- laughing at the pink slippers and banana- a mothers loves runs deep inspite of pink furry slippers!
rose- I love that your experience as a recipient has made you a great giver.
marie- my son bought me one of those rings when he was 6- he told me he could wait to give me my gift because he got such a deal on it, and it was definitely worth alot. I tried ot wear it one day and the stone fell out and ogt lost after 10 minutes!!
My 2 oldest boys surprised me this monring by getting up early and setting up 3 small tree we always put in our kitchen it was a cute surprise! (then again maybe it was just to get out of piano practicing)
Love this story. I had a similar experience with one of those grade school “stores.” I’m pretty sure I bought everyone a gift, but I also bought myself a purple rabbit’s foot. I thought it was the cooooolest. I was so excited when I got home. I woke my mom up from her nap to show her what I had gotten for myself. She smiled kindly, but then talked to me about how at Christmas time we buy things for other people, not for ourselves. I was so sad and embarrassed, but I knew she was right. Her little speech echoes in my mind every Christmas season. Doesn’t always stop me from buying something for myself, though.
I love the original post and the stories that have been shared.
Thanks!
When I was 14 my little brother gave me Nintendo controllers. I was not that into Nintendo, but he got years of use out of them. Although, that was actually a birthday present, not Christmas.
My kids are going to Santa’s Shop this year at school; it will be interesting to see what comes home.
Leslie, I loved your story about the boppers.
Heidi, thank you for sharing your experience. What a great reminder of what the season is all about.
Leslie, I loved your story! And Heidi and others, thank you for sharing yours. I have to say that my most joyous Christmases have always been about giving to others–whether it’s finding the perfect presents for my children and husband or helping a family in need. One year we provided Christmas for a single mother whose house had burned down just weeks before Christmas. My children helped me collect bags of clothing from neighbors and friends and shop for toys for the kids. They were as excited as I was; my five-year-old eagerly told everyone in Primary about it during sharing time. I’ve always enjoyed Christmas so much more when the focus is on giving.
I enjoy giving secret stockings,etc (ie to missionaries). I’ve never really gotten to where I can financially give what I would like to others, I like to find some kind of small service events to volunteer at. This helps me as I tend to feel some depression during holidays that relate to my being single and feeling lonely, well past the typical age for getting married. Service helps me focus on what matters.
One Christmas I especially received a lot- I feel bad that I cannot recall what I gave that year. This was in the early 90s, in one of the well-populated LDS areas of the world. It was a tough Christmas for me, for I was on my mission and was having a rough time as my comp was finishing her mission and thus going home just before Christmas, and I was going to be transferred a couple days before Christmas. I was in a teary mood and had a hard time. I hated transfers and especially did not want to be transferred before Christmas.
So gifts I got:
~ my parents hadn’t yet sent anything, and it became clear that I would not have anything on Christmas. My family is one of procrastinators (me included) and I knew my gift would arrive after the holidays. I honestly wasn’t worried and didn’t mind. But it concerned my new comp who said ‘you won’t have anything to open Christmas’. She told the mission pres who got a gift for me. Also she told some in our mission..one of the Elders found someone in his ward to donate some anonoymous items such as a book by Pres Kimball (teachings), perfume. My favorite item was a small wood heart w/a candle that said ” Charity Never Faileth” He never told me who it was..he said it was the wife of someone in the Bishopric of one of their wards. But to this day, I have that wood heart.
~one of the Elders in our zone offered my comp $30 to get something for me, luckily she didn’t take that. But I found it touching he would offer.
~ a family in a neighboring stake where sisters served invited their sisters as well as us to their large extended family Christmas Eve celebration..it included dinner, caroling on horse drawn carriage delivering oranges to their neighbors. ANd it concluded w/a candlelight testimony meeting of Christ. What a special family, I had never really known families such as that!
~ final gift was permission to go to my former area to attend the baptism of a young woman w/whom we’d been working. she was baptized on Christmas Day.
After all this, I was back to normal and ready to continue on in my missionary duties.
Wonderful story! I have a few different thoughts to write:
I regret that while I was growing up, I put much more emphasis and energy into getting thoughtful gifts for friends than for family. I’m thinking that’s not too abnormal, but I still regret it.
When I was single I tended to buy myself something. My favorite purchase was a Norman Rockwell puzzle that I mounted and have on a living room wall. It’s got people from cultures all around the world on it, and the golden rule written across the bottom. It was good to treat myself during that time. I think I still do when I need to.
One of my worst Christmas memories was when my parents bought my brother a $200 Nintendo game and didn’t get me the $20 or $30 Messiah cd set I had asked for–the only thing I asked for. I was sooooo angry, and was quite self-righteous about their poor sense of values. I still don’t completely understand the logic, but I did finally get over the self-righteous part.
I used to be a poor receiver. I couldn’t fake a sincere thank you if I wasn’t in love with the gift. I felt bad about that for a long time, but didn’t know how to change it. I’m still not sure how the change happened, but I was pleased when one Christmas, my Grammie made me a fairly hideous set of plastic canvas place mats, and my thanks really was sincere, not even a pretended sincere. I knew she had gone through a lot of thought and effort to make something she thought I’d like (they were decorated with sunflowers, which I loved), and I sincerely appreciated her gesture of love. I guess I’m not convinced I’m always a good receiver still, but I know I am a lot better than I used to be!
I too have been the recipient of the cheap ring. My daughter mentioned it just this morning in fact. It is a huge ring with a pink “stone”. I don’t like pink, I don’t like to wear jewelry. I really tried, but it got “lost”.
Tomorrow is the Santa’s Secret Shop. I hate those things. I’d rather turn my kid loose in Walmart with $5 than trust that place. So do you think I’ll get pocket-sized Scooby-Doo playing cards again this year?
This will tell you how horrid I am- I remember the cool stuff my siblings got. Jealous much?
My step-grandmother’s gifts were memorable. While her ‘own’ grandkids got outfits in Nordstrom boxes my sister and I perpetually got matching gifts that were not quite right. Scratchy pink nightgown (remember my ‘I hate pink’ comment?), or box of 101 eyeshadows (don’t wear eyeshadow, even now). Gifts are interesting things… it tells something about the giver. My Mom continues to buy church books for my Dad even though he’s been inactive for more than a decade.
I was on the receiving end of some Sub for Santa programs as a kid, and to this day I am very grateful for it. When I was a teenager, and my family was no longer so poor, my mom adopted a kid for sub for Santa. I didn’t get to do any of the shopping with her, but I got to wrap all the presents the night I came home from work after our grocery store was robbed. It was amazing how much doing something good for somebody else made me relax.
Last year my husband and I lived in New Zealand, and we came home early for Christmas to surprise his family. We videotaped ourselves coming in the door on December 21, and sometimes I still watch the video when I need to put a smile on my face. http://containyourexcitement.blogspot.com/2008/12/guess-whos-home.html
love your story Leslie! I always buy myself a few Christmas presents– who else knows what I really want?
I had to report back about my daughter’s Santa Shop experience. She found away around the ‘buy it for yourself’ problem. She and her friends bought gifts for each other! So technically they all got what they wanted but didn’t buy it for themselves
The Christmas that comes to mind for me was the year when I was somewhere between 6 and 8 years old and had made my family members ‘lovely’ homemade gifts. (I remember a sailboat I made for my younger brother out of a styrofoam meat tray and a cheap watercolor set paint brush.) I needed a box to put my mom’s gift in and searched high and low around the house. Finally, I found an empty box the right size in the pantry and wrapped the gift. I didn’t understand everyone’s laughter Christmas morning when my mom unwrapped her gift in a tampon box. But, I can honestly say that I’ve never used a tampon box since then to wrap a gift!