By Taye Johnson
As Christmas approaches, I reflect on my favorite part of the holiday: opening presents. Growing up, Christmas was one of my favorite holidays, along with Thanksgiving, which was a close second, because it meant spending time with my family, eating delicious food and getting new toys.
I remember running downstairs, tearing through my presents every Christmas morning and then checking all of them off my list so I could go back to sleep. I can remember the excitement I felt when I opened my presents and how pleasantly surprised I was when I received a present that I begged for.
The anticipation of that morning was so intense that I would count down the days until Dec. 25. Once the day arrived, my family would set up all of our presents under the tree and a timer would be set for when we'd come running down the stairs.
Do you remember your favorite Christmas gifts as a kid? I'm sure you do and I bet they were the ones that you wanted most. The presents that I received as a kid were usually practical and functional, but occasionally, my parents would surprise me with something fun or whimsical.
One year in particular, I was given an Etch A Sketch. I spent hours drawing on the screen with my fingers and twisting the knobs to create different shapes. I'm sure many of you can relate to this feeling. You've received a gift that was just perfect for you — perhaps it was something you didn't know you needed in your life–but now realize how much it means. The best gifts are those that are thoughtfully chosen and come from the heart.
Another one of my favorite Christmas gifts that I received was a record player. I love listening to music and this was a great way for me to enjoy my favorite songs. Granted, my record player didn't play “real” music; they were age-appropriate, kid-friendly songs.
When I received my favorite gifts, I felt loved and special. It was a great feeling to know that someone had taken the time to think of me and buy me something they thought I would like. I still have some of my favorite gifts and I do treasure them. They remind me of the love my family and friends had for me and how much they cared about my happiness.
Some people may prefer to receive physical gifts versus non-physical gifts. Physical gifts, such as a new pair of shoes or an iPad, may seem less important depending on who you ask (like my sister), but I think that tangible gifts are actually more meaningful than non-physical ones. Physical objects are also important because they allow us to connect with other people and can be passed down from generation to generation, and they help us make memories that last forever.
However, physical gifts are not the only way to express gratitude. Now, with so much being digital and online, it’s easy for us just to send an eGift card saying “Merry Christmas” or buy something online.
As an adult, I enjoy Secret Santa. It's a great way to show someone that you care about them and want them to have something special. I also like being able to give gifts to show my love and appreciation for the people in my life. I think it's important to share your good fortune with others, especially those who are special to you.
It's also important to show people that you care about them. A small token of your appreciation can go a long way towards making someone feel special or loved. I think that's why Secret Santa is such a great idea; it allows us to show others how much we care.