what was your best present ever?

I have done the star program, A friend of mine lost her 3 yr old son 3 yrs ago just after thanksgiving and he loved the stars, so I had a star done in his name for her. She said that has been the best gift ever to this day.

Fins, There is one particular Christmas I will never forget. My dad was a coal miner and was having to work Christams Eve. He went in early about 4 oclock in the morning. I awoke to the coal tipple whistle blowing. This was a sign of trouble at the mines. We went to the mines and my father and his best friend were trapped. We waited and held vigil there all day and night. At midnight which was Christmas Day my father was brought up. He was alive but he back was broken. His best friend was in his arms and did not make it. From that time on I was truly thankful to the Good Lord for all of my blessings. I could have been the child that lost her father that day. KYSIDE38

oh gosh..When I started this thread I had no idea how emotional it would end up...I'm so glad, it helps me get to know all of you even more. Keep these wonderful stories coming, this is incredible.

I read an article online which says Christmas gifts are stresses and we should stop shopping for Christmas. I could not agree with the author. It’s so disappointing to see people judging Christmas gifts with its usefulness!!!

I have made a post about it in my blog. Please read it. I am so upset after reading the article and some corrosive conflicts are eating me up. I need your support friends, please correct me if I am wrong.

http://stanley.yesdebtfree.org/2006/...-at-christmas/

Oh wow...Christmas time is so special. "The Gift of The Magi" is such a terrific story..It shows how a poor young couple sacrifice what is most important to them to buy the other one a present. I think the author of that article missed the point when he quoted from that story.

Gifts are important..And they don't have to be expensive. An ornament that my little boy made in school means everything to me, as do little gag gifts that show my husband is thinking about me. For me, there is absolutely nothing stressful about shopping for Christmas..Except the crowds.

Sorry I haven't been back here for awhile. Thanks, guys, for all your wonderful comments.

I have also heard of the star program. What a wonderful idea that is.

Kyside, what could have been a disastrous Christmas for you and your family turned out to be the best Christmas ever. I'm so glad for you!

I agree with you, Stanley and Fins, Christmas without gifts wouldn't be Christmas. I think it helps to teach our kids to give. One year, we had a friend who had just gotten divorced and had three small children. She wasn't going to be able to afford Christmas for them. My older son and daughter were about 12 and 13 at that time. They told me that the money I was going to spend on them for Christmas I should spend on presents for my friend's kids instead. We all went shopping, and my son and daughter picked out the gifts. They were excited to see my friends' kids open the presents that they had picked. Of course, I also bought my kids a couple of gifts, too. But I think they had more fun watching rather than opening gifts themselves.

Boy, I'm just full of Christmas stories this year!