Black Friday is over and the holiday shopping season is in full swing. (Did you get in line at “O-dark-thirty” for that hot toy or gadget?) The news is full of stories of people who camped out for days in front of their favorite stores to be first in line when the big deals started. To those folks I say I hope it was worth it; I hope that those gifts will be remembered and appreciated years from now.
I asked our Think Up team to Think back and share some of their favorite gift memories…
My Mattel magic set – the coolest magic set ever made! (Look closely at the photo – that’s my hamster, Fred, in my hand. I just pulled him of what appeared to be an empty hat.)
– heidi
It would definitely be a Lite Brite. I played with that thing for YEARS – and I still remember opening that box!
– larry
My all-time favorite Christmas gift was my first Sit’n Spin. I believe I was 4 years old when I got it.
– annie
My original Nintendo!!! That was a game changer for me. Rumor has it, I only played standing up, and apparently when Mario (of the Mario Brothers) jumped, I would also jump. I think I was 5 when I got this awesome gift.
– matt
When I was 8 years old, my uncle – a very talented woodworker – made me an absolutely gorgeous polished oak canopy bed for my American Girl doll. My mom – who hates to sew – hand-made every piece of beautiful lace bedding. Talk about a labor of love! I will never forget my amazement and excitement when they brought the bed downstairs at our big family Christmas Eve party. I feel so fortunate to have family members who were all too happy to put so much work into making a Christmas gift they knew I would love.
– julia
Mine was an awesome dollhouse that my aunt & uncle made for me. It was from one of those kits, and I know they spent so much time on it.
– emily
Oh! The dollhouse, for sure!
– kathy
My favorite Christmas toy was receiving my first American Girl Doll, Kirsten. My parents gave me all different kinds of outfits, accessories, and even a miniature “red flyer” for Kirsten to drag around with her. The floor that morning was littered with all new AG Doll stuff! I was so excited.
– nicole
A simple platinum ring – hidden in my stocking – that I have worn every day without fail since the Christmas I received it 13 years ago.
– michael
This will sound goofy, but my two most favorite gifts were a Pogo Stick and an Easy Bake Oven.
– colleen
Nintendo Entertainment System… rocked my world as a child.
Fender American Jazz Bass… rocked my world as a teen to now.
– drew
My fondest Christmas memory was getting my first bike. It was all red and shiny. It had a bell and a white basket with a flower in the front. I thought I was big time! I was either 5 or 6 years old.
– judy
A bicycle. It was bright blue; and coincidentally I got a blue reversible jacket the same year. I don’t really love blue, but I did love wearing my blue jacket while riding my blue bike… I was the coolest second grader ever.
– anna
Porky the Pig. I still have him (or at least part of him) 40-something years later.
– ron
Now THAT’S a gift that stood the test of time!