What makes a good Christmas gift? Is it really the thought that counts?
Or does the price tag hold more weight? Are gift cards ever acceptable? And what color should the gift wrapping paper be? Also, is Die Hard a Christmas film? And if it is, is it better than “Love, Actually”?
(Editor’s note: NOOOO!)
If these questions have vexed you this holiday season, never fear! In true Nancy Drew fashion, your esteemed editor diligently set out to answer the opening question. So for this week’s column, I asked members of the Bryan County News (and friends of the newsroom!) what was their favorite-ever Christmas gift they’ve received and why.
While collecting these responses, I was reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, which is not rooted in greed, commercialism, or romantic comedies starring Hugh Grant.
A common theme in these answers is the love folks have for the people who gave them their gifts, like parents, grandparents, or spouses. That often matters more than the gift itself, in my opinion. The fact that someone loves you enough to buy you stuff you may or may not need is already special.
In short, Christmas is all about family; whether it’s the family we are born with, or our chosen family, i.e. our friends, spouses, co-workers, and neighbors. And naturally, we don’t want to disappoint our family, which is why we all stress out about gifts every year. But gifts are really just an excuse to put smiles on our loved ones’ faces, and to make memories that last a lifetime.
Responses to “What was the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received and why?
Jada Strickland, Multimedia Sales Executive, Bryan County News:
“I think my all-time favorite gift was a giant dollhouse that I received on my 7th Christmas. It was about 3 feet tall, 2 stories, and came with little dolls! (I still have it at my grandparents’ house today!)”
Mark Swendra, Chief of Digital Operations, Bryan County News
A “Wheelie” bike he got when he was around 7 or 8 years old. Mark told me that his bike had various flame decorations that made it look really cool, almost like a bike a main character in a television series would use.
Lesley Francis, founder and CEO of Lesley Francis PR
“The best Christmas gift I ever received was my little Coton de Tulear puppy who was born on Christmas Day, so his birthday is this week. I had lost my old westie and my lovely husband decided that I needed a small dog. He was right!”
Pat Donahue, editor and General Manager, Coastal Courier
“Probably when I was about 12 and my brother and I got a black and white TV for our bedroom. We got to watch Johnny Carson on Friday nights (we could stay up past 11 on Fridays) and if we kept the sound down, we could covertly watch Monday Night Football all the way to its conclusion.”
Mike Brown, freelance sports correspondent, Bryan County News
“I have received many wonderful gifts at Christmas over the years, but I am going to tell you about two gifts I’ve received from my wife Shirley 60 years apart. The first year we had Christmas together she got me, among several nice gifts, a hickory shafted putter which I loved and used for years. I have probably had two dozen other putters over the years but that one remains my favorite. Unfortunately after about 10 years I accidentally splintered the shaft. Nothing since has felt so right.
The second gift I received this year. I’ve never been a robe person and I seem to stay cold in the house. This year she got me a robe and gave it to me early a few days ago. I can’t believe how warm it keeps me. It’s terrific. But perhaps the best gift really is that I am touched that after 60 years of marriage my wife is still devoted to making my life better.”
Jeff Whitten, occasional columnist, former editor of Bryan County News (the Ghost of Newspaper Editors’ Past)
“Looking back over 64 years it’s hard to pick out a best Christmas present ever, but I think I’d say the love of reading all sorts of things my parents instilled in me from an early age was the single greatest gift I’ve been given. It hasn’t made me rich in monetary terms, but it’s enriched my life immeasurably, and still does.
I also got a dirt bike as a kid I was very partial to.”
As managing editor of the Bryan County News, I would like to wish everyone reading this a Merry Christmas, if you celebrate, and a Happy New Year!
Andrea Gutierrez is the managing editor of the Bryan County News. (the Ghost of Newspaper Editors’ Present). Gutierrez’s all-time best Christmas gift was a family trip to Colombia last year. And: Love, Actually is her favorite Christmas movie...actually!