Christmas Gifts by Karen Rock and Tara Randel



This month, Karen and I are together to talk about Christmas presents. To some, waiting for the 25th of December is torture at its worst. For others, anticipation until the big day is excitement in itself. That’s one of the compelling things about Christmas morning; the expectation, no matter what form it takes.

Karen:

The Christmas I turned thirteen, like all teenagers, I knew just enough about life to believe I was an expert on everything (or so I thought) especially guessing the contents of wrapped gifts. When my mother handed me a square present, I pronounced, “book”, certain she’d gotten me the latest in my favorite series. When she shook her head, I frowned, sure she must be trying to psyche me out. No one could outsmart a teenager… right?

Wrong.

Tearing off the wrapping paper revealed a black velvet-covered book with a beautiful silver metal square in the center, embossed with a rearing unicorn. Okay. So, yeah. I hated to be wrong and really, really, wanted the latest in my series, but I grew excited about what this book could be about. Until I opened it.

The pages were ruled but blank. I remember flipping through it frontwards and backwards, practically shaking it for the adventure story I was sure hid inside. When my mother shared that it was a journal, she might as well have said “poisonous snake”, that’s how fast I dropped it. While I LOVED reading, I hated/dreaded/avoided writing. What was I supposed to do with a journal? I was sure it was another useless suggestion from Dr. Nusbaum who was supposed to be helping me stop feeling so mad about my parents’ divorce and life in general.  He was always going on and on about expressing my feelings… like that would help anything.

I hurled the journal in the trash, stalked to my new room and threw myself on the bed. I seriously hated Christmas now. I wondered what my father was doing. What my older sister was doing. Did they miss me? My eyes drifted shut and when I woke a couple of hours later, I discovered my presents piled on the bed beside me, the beautiful journal glimmering on top. Feeling bad about throwing it out (hey—it wasn’t the journal’s fault for being so terrible), I reached for it, opened it, and felt its smooth pages.

Before I knew it, I’d grabbed a pen and wrote “Merry Christmas from Hell” or something equally cheery like that. The funny thing was that simply writing those words filled me with something I’d been missing since my parents’ marriage (and my life) fell apart—control and a sense of freedom. I could write whatever I wanted in this journal. No judging. No timer. No reporting back to my parents. This journal was mine alone and over the next year it became my own secret world where I recorded my feelings, my hopes, my dreams, poems and short stories. This unexpected present, and the many journals that followed it, made me the author I am today. There is no such thing as the dreaded “blank page” for me. Nope. Instead, I always think back to this time in my life and imagine empty sheets as new frontiers for my imagination, kingdoms for my creativity and I happily, humbly, and gratefully set to work bringing them to life.   

Tara:

The first year my husband and I were married, I expected an utterly romantic gift from him. Even back before I wrote romance novels, happily-ever-after was always important to me, as I’d found and married my own prince charming. 

We got up early that morning, giddy with love and excited to see what we’d wrapped for each other. He handed me a box, a clothing box, I determined, by the size and shape. My mind whirled. What could it be? 

I slowly unfastened the tape and pulled off the colorful wrapping. Lifted the lid, pushed back the tissue paper...and found a long-sleeved yellow shirt and bubblegum pink pants that resembled tights. (It was the 80’s. What can I say?) I blinked, pulled out the articles of clothing and swallowed hard. Good grief. Didn’t the man I married know me? I’m a denim girl. I never wore yellow and...pink pants? PINK PANTS?

I glanced up at my husband. A big smile curved his lips and his eyes were bright with expectation. He’d gone out on his own, to a woman’s clothing store, no less, and bought me what he thought was a special outfit. How on earth could I tell him this was not my style? Disappointed, I thanked him. And later returned the pants.

But I learned a very important lesson that day. It’s more important to appreciate the giver then the actual gift. Hey, everyone can’t hit it out of the ball park every holiday. Especially not that first Christmas together. But I knew he was proud of his purchase and years later, we laughed about the pink pants. 

Christmas is about love, no matter the size or type of gift we receive. How we receive a gift says a lot about our capacity to love. And love is all that really matters.

In the spirit of the holiday, Karen and I are giving away two different gifts to two readers who leave a comment about their favorite or crazy Christmas present. Just our way of thanking our awesome Heartwarming readers during this very special time of year.


One reader will receive Under an Adirondack Sky and The Bridal Bouquet, along with a pair of socks.







 Another reader will receive His Kind of Cowgirl, Honeysuckle Bride and a pair of socks.





Here’s hoping you have a beautiful Christmas season and we look forward to bringing you more happily-ever-afters in 2017.

Make sure to  leave a comment!

Comments

  1. I love reading Harlequin Heartwarming books. My favorite Christmas present has always been whatever my four grandchildren give me. I hold them close to my heart and display them along with their pictures. These are priceless.

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    1. How true. Memories are the best gifts!

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    2. Those are the best presents! I have a drawer full of every drawing my daughter has ever given me- I call it the "Mommy File" lol

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  3. I loved this post. Your mother sure knew what she was doing, didn't she, Karen? That must have been such a hard time for you all. My husband always chose nice clothes for me, but he always thought I was quite a bit smaller than I actually was. :-)

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    1. It was a hard time for sure, and I credit my mother for getting us all through! and I hear you on the cringe-worthy clothing choices hubbies can makes some times! My husband will by the same sweater in every color because if he thinks I might like it- lol

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  4. Two very good stories here, Karen and Tara! We never know where unexpected gifts will take us and the importance of appreciating the giver rather than the gift! When I was 16 I received a portable typewriter for Christmas and many years later, wrote my first Harlequin on it. I used to joke that even if I never sold my novel, at least I became a reasonably proficient typist. Thanks for these stories !

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    1. Awesome story! So glad the typewriter started in the journey to achieve your dream.

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    2. I love this story, Janice! It's fun to hear how these gifts impact our lives. I once got a typewriter with "Correct Tape" which was such a good thing since I was (and still remain) a terrible typist! lol

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  5. Gifts and giving are in the eye of the one giving - receiving is the easy part

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  6. What a great post, ladies!
    I'm curious Karen, do you still journal?
    Tara, I cracked up at the pink pants. Men aren't always the best when it comes to picking out clothes for their significant other.
    I remember one year, my mother gave me a knock off Snuggly blanket. It shed like crazy. Long after I got rid of it, I was still finding red fuzzies in the house.

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    1. I do still journal. I call it my "safe space". It's nice to have a place where you can open up and share everything from your darkest fears to your giddiest dreams :) And your shedding snuggly sounds hilarious (now that you've seen the last of the fuzzies- haha. I really want one of those this year- but I'll be sure to ask Greg to get the name brand!

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  7. How funny. Those fuzzies hang around forever!

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    1. That sounds super cute! Then you have an excuse to kiss anyone you like :)

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    2. Gotta have mistletoe at Christmas!

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  9. What a great post! ! I think it's so important to appreciate the giver! !

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    1. Absolutely! The meaning behind the gift is so much more important. I'm so grateful for the friends and family I'm blessed to have in my life :)

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    2. Agreed. SO many people today are out for themselves and what they can get. It's a joy to give to others just because we want to.

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  10. amy guillaume lindermanDecember 1, 2016 at 6:36 AM

    my mom gives me a yearly journal every year....i hate to say i can't think of a thing to write in it 90% of the time. i should try again

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    1. You should, Amy! The trick is not to think at all. Just let the pen do the work and it will. It will spill all kinds of thoughts and feelings you didn't even know you had and it always feels really good to express yourself :)

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    2. Once you get into the habit you will surprised by how much you'll write down!

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  11. I still do a journal, and I still hide it..... One year, my brother stole it when I was a teenager, and was mortified he read it... :P

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    1. Argh! Brothers! The enemy to all journal-writing sisters. They just love to snoop. Glad to hear you're still journaling like me. It is such a stress reliever and it feels good to get everything down from ideas for stories to what got me upset or made me really happy on a given day- it's a record of your life and that's really special :)

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    2. Those of us with brothers have stories to tell. I can certainly relate. Hey...sounds like a good premise for a book!

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  12. Oh how I love harlequin books and I am known for wearing socks with different designs . I wear Christmas socks in June to tell myself it is not so hot outside . The best gift for me was just watching my children open presents.

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    1. Deana! You nailed my favorite part of Christmas, too. I love watching others open their gifts and seeing them getting so happy and exciting. It's the best part of the day :)

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    2. I agree wholeheartedly! Watching others enjoy gifts makes my day.

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  13. Wonderful memories!! I love this post. It's hard to pinpoint just one gift as I find something special about each gift I receive. The most memorable one though was given to me by my daughter. She was about 6 years old and went to Santa's Workshop at school and purchased a book for me because she knew I loved to read. To this day she's the only person to buy me books. :)

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    2. Daughters and mothers have such a special bond! I would treasure that gift, too. My daughter's elementary school's PTA set up a "Holiday Shop" where the kids got to buy presents for their parents for 25 cents up to a dollar- we all went out to find the best deals on everything during the year and in December we set up the tables in the library and the kids would come in, so excited to mull over all of their choices, and then we would gift wrap and tag the gift they purchased. It felt so good seeing the pride they took in being able to buy their parents a Christmas gift :)

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    3. My daughters are the same. We all love to read. It's a special bond, for sure!

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  14. Great post you ladies. Especially now when I'm madly trying to think of suitable gifts for family that I have to wrap and ship. That part seems to get more difficult every year. When I was growing up those in my family went to great lengths to disguise gifts. Some were so funny. And I recall a year when "canning" gifts at the mall was all the rage. My mother-in-law wanted an electric can opener, so I had it canned. That gave everyone a big laugh.

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    1. LOL! Very clever :) I like the disguising gifts tradition. It can be pretty easy for a nosy-body like me to sniff out what every gift really is- so not having any clue would make Christmas even more exciting!

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    2. Oh my gosh, Roz! We play a Christmas exchange game every Christmas Eve with my husband's family. The gifts are always Christmas decorations. One year, my husband's grandmother wanted a can opener, so she bought it, wrapped it, and picked it during the game. It was hilarious!

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  15. Funny how one gift can change the way you look at things. Karen, do you still have that journal? And Tara, I stink at getting my husband anything good so he usually ends up returning my gift. He says it's the thought that counts. Someday I'm going to nail it, though. I hope y'all all have a Merry Christmas!

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    1. I have looked high and low for that journal, LeAnne! I know I'll find it someday because I'm so sentimental and I rarely through things out like that... Hopefully I'll find it stashed in a drawer someday :) Merry Christmas <3

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    2. It is the thought that counts, and sometimes, the bad gifts become part of our tradition. In a good way!

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  16. I remember the last Christmas after my Father passed away at the age of 43 in an accident, my Mother made sure me & my sister had a great Christmas that year. My Mother never remarried & she put my sister & I thru Catholic grade school & high school & we did lack for anything. I don't know how she did it back then but she did. I admire her strength to go on & she passed away at the age of 82. I have now lost 2 husbands in my lifetime, one after 21 years of marriage, he died of complications from Diabetes & my 2nd husband after 20 years of marriage, he passed away 4 weeks ago today from a 2-1/2 year battle with Kidney Cancer. I now gone on with my life as they both would have wanted me to. Thanks for all you do for your readers.

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    1. I'm so sorry for your loss, Linda May! Your mother taught you the value of love and sacrifice and I know your husbands must be watching over you, feeling incredibly grateful to have had you as wife. Sending you lots of love through this holiday season <3

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    2. My goodness, Linda! My condolences. You are a strong woman, so here's hoping your Christmas is filled with lots of love and blessings!

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  17. Craziest gift I got was a pair of nail clips. My mother bought them and told me if I could guess what it was I could.d open it before Christmas. I never could figure it out.

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    1. LOL. Your mother got you good with that one!

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    2. LOL. We did a lot of crazy things like that with our daughters when they were growing up.

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  18. Karen! You're just like the heroines we write about with the backstory, to boot! Maybe your mom saw the writer in your before you did. But, look at what you've done with all that angst and pain. Made it a positive that inspires others. Way to go. Tara! I worked in retail for many years, a couple of them in a women's dress shop. You have to think about the courage it took your husband to walk in and buy something for you. Many men stand in the doorway and your can just read the fear of estrogen poisoning in their eyes. Most men don't go inside! But he did, even if he came out with a yellow shirt and pink pants. Maybe that's what your love felt like to him - yellow and pink. Cool!

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    1. Awwww! Thanks for that, Muriel :) My heroines always do seem to come from dysfunctional families... lol. The journal put me on the right track when I might have gone wrong and I'm grateful to the escape that writing gave me to this day!

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    2. Thanks Muriel. I still get wild gifts from him. LOL

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  19. Ladies, what a great post! Karen, your journal story got me a little choked up. I'm so glad you're mom knew just what you needed. (Mom's are like that, huh?) Tara, your story made me laugh. My husband is also guilty of once buying me a hideous sweater and I remember thinking the same, "Do you not know me at all? Do you not see the clothes I wear every day that are nothing like this?" So funny!

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    1. Yay! Tears through laughter is the best combination :) My mother takes complete credit for my writing career and I always agree <3

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    2. So true. And the funny thing is, he has a knack for picking out nice clothes...for him!

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  20. Love your books and would love to read and review on a few sites thank you for the chance!Such a great post.

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    1. You're welcome! We love Heartwarming books. So glad you do to!

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    2. That's great to hear- thanks :)

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  21. Thanks for sharing your wonderful Christmas stories ladies! What a wonderful way to get in the spirit for the upcoming holidays! My most memorable gift was the year my husband bought me a dusty old used projector in a thrift shop. The kids were mortified that he would consider it the "perfect" present. As I opened it, I burst into tears and the kids both yelled, "See! We told you she'd hate it! What were you thinking????" But I was crying with joy. You see, I had dozens of old 8mm movies from my childhood but no way to show them. I hadn't seen them in decades, so it was truly the most thoughtful gift ever. We popped a batch of popcorn and watched them as a family. It truly was the best Christmas gift I have ever received.

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    1. What an awesome gift. That is a sweet and touching memory you will never forget!

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    2. That must have been so magical :) And it was a gift for the entire family! It sounds like a holiday you'll never forget. Happy Holidays <3

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  22. Awww...I loved both your stories! Thank you for sharing. Tara, I have to ask: what did you get your husband that first Christmas?! :)

    (Obviously, please don't enter me in the giveaway, as much as I think both prize packs are terrific!)

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    1. You know, Kate, I don't remember! LOL. I still have visions of those pants.

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  23. What a beautiful story about turning a gift into your passion for writing! I was such a unicorn girl in the 80s. And, I had a pair of bubble gum pink pants in the 80s, but I was still in high school! :) Always paired with gray.

    Denise

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    1. It was all about the unicorns in the 80s! My mother knew me so well :) I never had a pair of pink pants, but that would have been cool with a big white sweater over it and some dangling, ZZ Top earrings- hehe

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  24. What amazing Christmas gift stories. I remember back when I was about 8 or 9 yrs old and at my grandmother's and my uncle was being Santa Clause and giving out all the gifts. I was one of the last one's to get mine. I had watched all my brother's and cousins open up their big gifts and when I got mine, it was a little silver ring or jewelry box. I tried so hard to show I like it, but I was so envious of the other kids, but tried not to show it. When all of a sudden my grandmother said did I open my gift from her yet and I said yes, and showed her the box in my hand... all of sudden she had this look of surprise on her face and said OH MY GOD, I forgot to put out your real Christmas gift.. She sent one of my other uncle's into her room and brought out this big box, and everyone waited to see what I got. I remember being so nervous and excited because I could not imagine what was in the box. It was a lamp for my bedside table. It had a porcelain base that was a beautiful lady dressed in real fabric ball gown. I cried when I saw it... thanks for bringing this wonderful memory back for me. I had not thought of this Christmas gift in along time.

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    1. Thank YOU for bringing that wonderful memory to us! What a beautiful present and your grandmother clearly gifted it to you with such love and pride. I can picture the lamp. I had one with a girl in a pink chiffon gown (I'm sure that wasn't a fire hazard- haha) and I loved it so much. I played with the lamp like it was a doll (I didn't have many toys growing up) and eventually it got kind of smushed- but I always always loved her.

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    2. What a lovely story. I'm so glad our post made you remember that wonderful time.

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  25. I love your stories, ladies! Thanks so much for sharing them. Some of my favorite gifts are those my children make or pick out just for me. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!

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    1. You're very welcome! My favorite gifts are from my daughter Danielle- especially the early ones- when printing and cursive writing was so difficult and I knew how long she labored over writing "I Love You, Mom."

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    2. I agree. Gifts from our children are the best!

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  26. Thank you for sharing your stories! They bring back some memories of my own. That first Christmas after my parents divorced was a rough one also, but my brothers and I got through it. It would seem that your mom gave you the best gift ever!
    Loved the story about the pink pants! Made my day! I was an 80's girl and I'm pretty sure that I had a pair of pink pants and wore them proudly. These days they would be cringe worthy because I'm all about my Levis.
    For our first Christmas my hubby bought me all gifts he would enjoy from sweet treats to a sexy nightie. We can laugh about it now because it has been 29 years and his gift giving has improved greatly.
    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas season :)

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    1. You're welcome, Lori! We're both survivors of divorce and it looks like we both managed to keep our own marriages together. Congratulations :) Greg and I are married 23 years and I feel so proud of that! He's gotten me some interesting presents through the years, though I think the pink pants takes the cake- hehe.

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    2. It's been 30 years for us and thankfully the gifts are more thought out!Merry Christmas!

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  27. I always think about presents like this...the person who bought the present for you spent time thinking about you and what they thought you would like, and there is a reason they got it for you. :) Both are such sweet stories, thank you ladies for sharing.

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    1. You're welcome! And your way of thinking about presents sounds great. Time and thought goes into presents and that is always worth appreciating :) Happy Holidays!

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    2. Time spent thinking about the gift, no matter the size, is the spirit of Christmas.

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  28. Wonderful memory Karen. I have never been much of a journal person until recently. Tara, that is funny about the pants, I would have put a long black sweater with them.. lol

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    1. Thanks, Kimberly! I'm glad to hear your journaling. It really is such a great way to express yourself. Happy Holidays :)

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    2. Somehow I don't think a sweater would have hid the pinkness!

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  29. my favorite gift ever was in 1978 when my big brother gave me a hallmark ornament... i loved it and it started my collection... he paid $3. but I knew he was dying from Muscular Dystrophy and it meant something to me... for the next couple years he got me one every year until he passed and then my family continued getting them for me... it the memories that are attached.... I still put it on my tree and it stays on my bedside the rest of the year.

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    1. Oh my goodness, I have tears in my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing! I would keep a special ornament like that one close by too. Merry Christmas.

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    2. I absolutely believe your brother is with you every Christmas and those lovely ornaments keep you connected. God bless your lovely family 💗

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  30. I would love to win this. My most memorable Christmas gifts were one year when I was younger my dad had been out sick from work. We temporarily went on foodstamps until he was able to go back to work. So at Christmas my dad gave us each 20 dollars in foodstamps to buy gifts. So we had 5 dollars,a person and we,were able to buy lots of candy for that since this was in the 70's. We had so much fun seeing what the other person got us. This still stands out to me all these years later.

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    1. Awwwww! Diane, your story is so touching. It's a testament that money can't buy the joy and love you experienced that day :-) One year we were so poor, my parents wrapped up my older sisters stuffed animals since they believed she'd outgrown them- boy were they wrong! We still laugh (and argue) about who owns Mr. Turtle- lol

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    2. There is nothing like sharing memories with siblings. The best kind of Christmas!

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  31. What great memories you shared with us! I believe it is the thought that counts and even if I don't like the gift I would never let the person know. I will never forget when my daughter was in kindergarten she used her allowance to buy me a Christmas gift. It was a pair of slipper socks with a glued on red pom pom for nose and felt for the reindeer's face. They were something else. But I proudly wore them because she was just so happy to give me a gift that she thought I would like. I actually miss those silly slippers now :)

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    1. Those slippers sound precious! You're daughter must have glowed ever time you wore them. I agree- It's the thought, not the gift, that counts 💗

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    2. If we only realized back then how important those silly little gifts from our children would come to mean to us now!

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  32. In my family we didn't exchange gifts for years. For us, it has always been more about spending the day together than presents.

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    1. Time together is more precious than anything. I put on the big Christmas dinner for the whole family (extended too) and sitting down with everyone is the best part of the holiday :)

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    2. Getting together is one of the best parts of the day!

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  33. My daughters were 4 and 6 and their dad took them shopping and let them pick out what they wanted to buy for me. My oldest bought me a salute pan and my youngest bought me a sea sponge. They just knew I needed those items. They touched my heart. They were so proud of themselves. My heart has kept that memory for 35 years. Thank you for reminding me.re

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    1. So so sweet! When I used to work in my daughter's elementary school's "Holiday Store" I loved watching the children examine all of the items so carefully to make sure they got something mommy or daddy would love 🎄❤️ Happy Holidays

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    2. Memories are a special gift. Probably the best. We still sit around the dinner table on Christmas and reminisce.It never gets old!

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    3. Thank you. I believe we touch people in ways we never know about. I have worked with Sunday school kids 4-9 and they would tell me how what I said about treating people well the way the Bible said.One little girl had an orange and saw a homeless man. She went over and gave him her orange. Her Mom asked why she did that and she said Mrs Gonser taught me. Wow I told God I would not teach high school kids in Sunday school. Well, the next year I was teaching high school. I'm sure I heard a chuckle or two. A few years later a past member, got baptized and came up to me and told me I had a lot to do with his baptism. So often we don't know who we touch. Thank you for your comments and all the others comments. It has touched me tremendously. Melody

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    4. Thank you. I believe we touch people in ways we never know about. I have worked with Sunday school kids 4-9 and they would tell me how what I said about treating people well the way the Bible said.One little girl had an orange and saw a homeless man. She went over and gave him her orange. Her Mom asked why she did that and she said Mrs Gonser taught me. Wow I told God I would not teach high school kids in Sunday school. Well, the next year I was teaching high school. I'm sure I heard a chuckle or two. A few years later a past member, got baptized and came up to me and told me I had a lot to do with his baptism. So often we don't know who we touch. Thank you for your comments and all the others comments. It has touched me tremendously. Melody

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  34. My daughters were 4 and 6 and their dad took them shopping and let them pick out what they wanted to buy for me. My oldest bought me a salute pan and my youngest bought me a sea sponge. They just knew I needed those items. They touched my heart. They were so proud of themselves. My heart has kept that memory for 35 years. Thank you for reminding me.re

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  35. My mom bought me the sweetest puppy ever when i was 9

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  36. What could be better than a Christmas puppy? That's so special. Thanks for sharing and Happy Holidays :-)

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  37. When I was nine, I got the Two-wheeler of my dreams. A brand new pink and white Schwinn bike. I knew my parents couldn't afford it, so it could only be Santa. Right? ;)

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    1. Hah! Of course it was Santa :-) I got a baby blue Schwinn with a banana seat and a white wicker basket and bell as a little girl- I loved it so much then cried when my older sister rode it to her school where it was stolen!

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  38. And the winners are....Diana Tidlund and Lindy May. Congats! We'll be contacting you. Merry Christmas everyone!

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  39. Congratulations to our two winners- Linda May winner of UNDER AN ADIRONDACK SKY, THE BRIDAL BOUQUET & socks Diana Tidlund, winner of HONEYSUCKLE BRIDE, HIS KIND OF COWGIRL & socks! We will be contacting you both. Tara and I want to thank everyone for stopping by the Heartwarming blog and sharing your beautiful Christmas memories with us. Wishing everyone Happy Holidays! 🎄❤️

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  40. The birth of my granddaughter Eliza on Christmas Eve.
    rita.navarre@yahoo.com

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  41. and I'm just now seeing this to enter and a winner was picked! I was gone all day and just found this on here. However, my first Christmas with Don, also husband number one, was very memorable . I got him a tool box that he had for years. He got me a white radio dog from Radio Shack. I have the picture he took of the look on my face when I opened the box! It say's, " I love it"! Years later and just a couple years ago Doug surprised me with the Love necklace I seen in the store. I do not remember mentioning it to him or showing it to him. So, when I opened that small box I was totally so surprised I jumped into his lap. The third special gift wasn't from a Christmas but my second husband, Mike, the last gift I got from him before he passed away sits in the bedroom still inside the container a small stuffed bear with a rose from Valentine's day! I plan on keeping it for ever. Pam Hamblin

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  42. Hi Karen & Tara! I enjoyed your Christmas Stories..... I love to write in my Journal too, Karen. You are right, Tara..... It is more to do with the love you have for the giver than the gift he/she is giving. My favorite Christmas gift was a stereo that lights in the bottom that kept time with the music. It was so unique.

    dowelljanet(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. OOOPS I missed a word.... A stereo that *had lights in the bottom.

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  43. Thank you for telling these humbling Christmas memories. Good lessons for us all. Merry Christmas to you both.

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  44. One of the best gifts was my Nook. I also love the homemade scraves and shawls my sister makes for me every year. Merry Christmas.

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