Best Christmas Present.

[Gingersnap]

Could be anything.

Socks, a Volvo, engagement, Lawn Darts, an actual pony, successful chemo, tires, a doll, the cat not barfing, commuted sentence, a successful cake, your relatives leaving on time and under budget, a great BBQ, you name it.

It doesn't have to fit social expectations.

A hot cup of tea, a clear mammogram, and note from a kid in the military all count and count well.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

Too many to choose from.

The realistic baby doll I named before I got it (3rd Christmas? about that), which meant parents had quite a challenge figuring out which doll I had decided was named "Janie Lynn." I finally gave it to my cousin when I was leaving for college. He probably still has it; he's dreadfully sentimental.

My first guitar (age 12). Played until my fingers bled. I still have it.

My Sheltie (age 16).

Anything HRH chose for me, even when Grandma was paying for it. A Winnie the Pooh nightshirt, a plush Evee (Pokemon), assorted art projects and other DIY gifts.

Off-the-wall gifts my sister sends.

The Instant Pot! (Although that might have been a birthday gift - when you have a January birthday, it can be hard to remember which was which.)

Fabulous capes, sweaters, and ponchos Nova buys me that I would never buy for myself, but they turn out to be just perfect with my whole wardrobe.

I can't choose one.

[Gingersnap]

I got Crackerjacks for Christmas at age 9 or so. Not the candy - a three year old Appy Quarter cross. These horses were typically trained for roping or rec riders and shipped out at 2 or 3 or so when they were saddle-trained and mostly settled down.

Just fell in love with him right from foaling and I don't know why. We had a lot of horses. He was flashy but we had plenty of genuine paints and pintos. He was smart but no genius. He was fast compared to most trail horses but not "fast". He was funny and an idiot. And he was competitive. What he really was was a horse genius in terms of angles and trajectory but I didn't know that then.

It took like three lessons on barrel racing before he had it and loved it. He couldn't jump, race, rope, or mind his manners for more than 10 minutes but if he saw a 55 gallon drum, it was all over. Why, I don't know but we had a lot of fun times performing and he won a lot (him, not me, although I tried to keep up appearances).

I pined for him but he was easily $400 hundred on the hoof back then untrained for anything but saddle.

Imagine my surprise when after the usual socks/underwear/sweater thing my drunk but lovable Uncle coaxed me outside to see Crackerjacks with a big red bow on his head (which he subsequently ate).

I was the happiest little girl in the world that day.

Cracker and I had a lot of fun for many years and he eventually could be in parades and other non-barrel events. He most loved when we took off and roamed.

He developed a brain tumor which at that time was not treatable even if we had the the money for that kind of thing (we didn't). He was put down with drugs. My brother still maintains his grave site (he did have one despite the postmortem fate of most of our horses.

Best Christmas present EVER!.

[Frostbit]

Age was probably about 9 or 10 I got a plastic toy rifle similar to an M-14 that shot plastic grenades from the end of the barrel propelled by a heavy spring. The trigger actually activated the shot. My uncle grabbed it from me loaded a grenade and shot one of the Christmas balls off the tree much to my father’s chagrin.

[Novaheart]

I can't remember my favorite gift of all time, but in the running for Best Christmas was with Celeste in our first apartment. We had a tree, and presents. I think we may have had a little Chistmas party. We went to the Buena Vista for Irish Coffee and rode the Cable Car home.

[Lanie]

Hmmm. I really loved my Baby Talk as a kid.

I liked my Aerosmith tape as a teenager even though I cut myself trying to get into it.

And this year, we're gearing up to move into a bigger place as of January. I guess that's a little late for Christmas, but still exciting.

[Michele]

I can't remember my favorite gift of all time, but in the running for Best Christmas was with Celeste in our first apartment. We had a tree, and presents. I think we may have had a little Chistmas party. We went to the Buena Vista for Irish Coffee and rode the Cable Car home.

We went there for lunch when we visited because it's one of my brother's favorite places.

[80zephyr]

I was 6 or 7, got my bb gun.

Mark

[Celeste Chalfonte]

I can't remember my favorite gift of all time, but in the running for Best Christmas was with Celeste in our first apartment. We had a tree, and presents. I think we may have had a little Chistmas party. We went to the Buena Vista for Irish Coffee and rode the Cable Car home.

That was the first orphans' Christmas Party, IIRC. We had all the other geographic orphans we knew over to our tiny apartment. Beryl, Kathleen, Rob...the little tree we brought home in a taxi. Good times.

[Celeste Chalfonte]

We went there for lunch when we visited because it's one of my brother's favorite places.

Wow, do I have memories of the BV back in the 80s! Well, actually, I mostly have memories of arriving at the BV. After a few Irish coffees, I don't have much recollection of ever leaving the BV.

[Frostbit]

Wow, do I have memories of the BV back in the 80s! Well, actually, I mostly have memories of arriving at the BV. After a few Irish coffees, I don't have much recollection of ever leaving the BV.

I love me a good Irish coffee. But if you ever have a chance to enjoy a well prepared table side Cafe Diablo jump on it.

[Novaheart]

I was 6 or 7, got my bb gun.

Mark

The Montgomery County police have my BB pistol.

[Novaheart]

I love me a good Irish coffee. But if you ever have a chance to enjoy a well prepared table side Cafe Diablo jump on it.

I counted at least nine shots of liquor, three and a smidge were Grand Marnier. That's a pricey cup of coffee.

[Frostbit]

I counted at least nine shots of liquor, three and a smidge were Grand Marnier. That's a pricey cup of coffee.

I’m not a cheap date Sir

[80zephyr]

The Montgomery County police have my BB pistol.

Naughty boy.

Mark