Welcome to our Sixth day of
FABULOUS
Holiday Giveaways!
Today we are featuring:
Big Picture Classes
Jennifer Paganelli~Sis Boom
Making Memories Slice Fabrique
&
Webster’s Pages
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Big Picture Classes
Welcome to Big Picture Classes! If you want to connect and learn in a creative environment online you’ve found the right place. Our community of instructors and members mingle in custom classrooms uniquely designed to deliver expert guidance and engaging ideas so that you can more fully explore your creativity. At BPC, you’ll find a myriad of super convenient self-paced classes as well as interactive multi-week workshops on topics ranging from scrapbooking to photography, journaling to personal well-being—but it is the light-hearted and liberating philosophy behind our education that sets us apart and enables you to find your muse, follow it and immerse yourself in personal expression. So nice to “meet” you! Sign up for a free class today!
Founders, Big Picture Classes
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Big Picture Classes is giving away one seat in two of their classes:
Move More, Eat Well~With Cathy Zielske
Class Description:
In Move More, Eat Well you’ll spend the year with Cathy, checking in once monthly where you’ll get a message from her. It could be a message of inspiration; it could be a message full of laments over muffin tops; it could be a simple reflection on how one month can make all the difference in the world. Whatever the case, she’ll share her personal ebb and flow with you each month, as you go through the process with Cathy, who hopes to give you a little burst of inspiration for your journey.
Read rest of description here
Class starts 01/01/2012
And
Get Great Photos with Any Camera~With Elisha Snow
Class Description:
In this four-week class, you’ll learn the basics of photography and composition, and discover some fun and amazing photo tips that Elisha has amassed throughout her own learning adventures. You’ll have the opportunity to see Elisha in action during her photo shoots, and learn some tricks for getting stellar photos. This class is for anyone, no matter what kind of camera you own. It is good information for point-and-shoot camera-owners, or digital SLR owners. We will discuss the basics of lighting and composition, as well as discuss many tips and tricks that the pros use! Basically it’s packed full of information that can be applied to any sort of general photography.
Read rest of description here
Class starts 01/05/20112
Jennifer Paganelli~Sis Boom
As a designer, Jennifer Paganelli finds inspiration in everything. Sis Boom is the inspiration distilled from several lives: her youth in the Great Lakes region of the US, her adolescence spent in the vibrant Caribbean, her college years in traditional New England, followed by career-building in the clamor of New York City.
Today, she and her company are located in the leafy rolling countryside of the Northeast. It’s here where she takes a breath and gets to work everyday. With unusual artistry and a love of texture and a blend of vivid colors, Jennifer uses everyday inspiration, journaling, collaging, and materials from her past to cultivate new ideas and fabric designs.
Jennifer’s connection to all things vintage, including fabrics, forms the basis of her textile work. She clearly identifies with their strong, saturated and lively color. Here, Jennifer invites you to explore her extraordinary world.
Ecstatic about her most recent project, Girl’s World, Jennifer has found a way to let you into a magical world that she herself wishes every little girl can be a part of. Vibrant, happy, sweet, and saturated with all things textured, sparkly and girly, this sewing book is chock-full of 21 projects for little girls. What a treat!
Please visit her at http://www.sisboom.com/
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Jennifer is giving away this LOVELY ticking pillow … Custom made by Sis Boom!
Making Memories~Slice Fabrique
Since its 1997 inception, Making Memories has become one of the nation’s fastest growing manufacturers of craft and scrapbooking supplies. The privately held Inc. 500 company (2001) boasts more than 5,000 individual products in its wholesale supply collection. Making Memories attributes its phenomenal growth to sourcing innovative product, establishing an intimate relationship with customers, and providing an unending supply of inspirational ideas. Please visit: www.makingmemories.com
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The SLICE™ Fabrique is a revolutionary fabric-cutting tool that makes quilting easier. Don’t spend hours cutting intricate designs with scissors when you can save time by allowing the SLICE™ Fabrique to do all the work for you. The SLICE™ Fabrique works with design cards specifically customized for fabric so you can cut alphabets, numbers, flowers, icons, basic shapes, and more. Apply a fusible web to your cotton fabric, felt or flannel and you are ready to start Slicing. If you can imagine it, you can SLICE™ it. The SLICE™ Fabrique is unlike anything you have ever seen. It’s a one-of-a-kind tool that fits within everybody’s budget. Save time and money while creating projects that will last a lifetime. Please visit: www.whyslice.com
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Making Memories is offering a Slice Fabrique to today’s winner!
Here is a video to show you all about this GREAT machine!
*see if you can pick me and the quilt I made using Riley Blake Designs fabric:)
Webster’s pages
Webster’s Pages is more than a company…it’s a family. Literally. Co-owned by brother and
sister Tim Myers & Brandin O’Neill, the company grew out of a desire to get
more involved in design and also in the relationships a scrapbooking business
brings. As the owners of an art publishing company, Tim and Brandin were
itching for something new…and they dove into the scrapbooking world, they never
looked back.
Webster’s Pages is known for our vintage style and also our
commitment to high quality products that will help you in your creative memory
keeping. We are currently preparing for our Early Release, a brand new collection we’ll unveil on January 2nd.
Learn more about us at our website: www.websterspages.com
Or stop by our blog for tons of inspiration: www.websterspages.typepad.com
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Webster’s Pages is giving away:
2 of each of the Winter Fairy Tales papers
1 Winter Fairy Tales Princess Petals
1 Winter Fairy Tales Dazzle-Me Gems
1 Winter Fairy Tales Trim Card
1 Winter Fairy Tales Fabric Tickets
1 Package of Designer Threads
WOW!
All you need to do to enter to win all FOUR of these prizes is comment below with your answer to this question …
What was your favorite holiday gift you received and why?
Thanks so much to our FOUR FABULOUS artists!
~We’ll see you tomorrow~
Probably hurting my chances that I am one of the first ones everyday! Really want to win today!
My favorite holiday gift? Oh, my! What a hard decision! My hubby and kids always get me the greatest things. BUT my biggest “gift” is watching my kids open theirs! Really. If I have to choose something tangible, though, I’d have to say it’ll be the one I’m getting this year: my truck fixed! lol I’ve been without a car for so long & having to rely on someone else if I have to get somewhere…
I’ve been the recipient of some really amazing, generous, and heartfelt gifts over the years. But the one that sticks in my mind is the little blue & white stuffed dog that was given to me by my dad the Christmas when I was about 4 years old. He concocted the most elaborate story about how this stuffed animal jumped into his cart at Gimbels, and he just HAD to bring him home for me. Of course, I immediately found flaw with his story — Gimbels didn’t have shopping carts — but the stuffie was always my favorite because he came from my daddy. (I’ve still got him, and I’m almost 43!)
My daughters….although I didn’t really find out about it until a little while later ;)
the best gift is having our kids come home for Christmas, cooking up yummy Christmas treats together in the kitchen, watching It’s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, staying in our pajamas most of the day on Christmas…..family time….the best gift!
My first book “Anne of Green Gables.” It wasn’t just the book I loved, but the fact my mother knew me and loved me enough to know how meaningful the gift would be to me. And of course, I still have it 40 years later. Thank you, mom. I love you.
My favorite Christmas gift I have received is my first born, he came 2 weeks before Christmas, best gift ever!
one of my favorite gifts ever was from my husband-my Rain or Shine Lisa Leonard necklace. I love having something with my kids’ names on it that I can wear every day! Would love to win one of these BPC classes-they are BOTH on my wish list!!!
I have received so many great gifts over the years and it is really hard to pick one out
On our very first Christmas together (we met in January, so we were engaged by Christmas), my to-be-husband gave me a beautiful little diamond necklace. I was floored, and while he’s never come close to giving me such a lovely present again, I don’t think I’ll ever forget that moment…
What great prizes! My favorite gift was a gift certificate to my favorite online beading site, where I loaded up my cart withouth having to worry about my little budget.
But this year I will be happy just to have all my kids home for Christmas.
I’d have to say one of my favorite gifts at Christmas was a purple canoe. It was sitting on my back porch on the picnic table C’mas morning… I got in it right there with my flannel nightgown on! I paddled that canoe for many years in GA, TN, VA, NC & SC rivers. Many good memories and lots of whitewater rapids and great conversations with fellow paddlers in that boat! ☆¨(✿◠‿◠)❀♫❤ ☼ ☯~Hobby
One gift I remember when I was in high school many years ago, was a picture of Jesus’ face that I really wanted, but think I would get. I was so surprised on Christmas when I opened my gift and the picture was framed. I still have the picture hanging in my room. I think that was one of the best gifts I can remember.
After being diagnosed with congestive heart failure at the age of 40, I would say with a big grin on my face that my most favorite gift is life! I have made it 6 more years since that dreadful news!!! It certainly put my life into perspective. If I must choose an object, it would be the beautiful handmade, hand quilted quilt that my Momma made me. Have a wonderful holiday everyone. Blessings to you all.
My favorite Christmas gift is a beautiful Norwegian-style sweater that my mom knit for me. That was years ago, and it’s still my favorite sweater.
What an incredible giveaway!
My favourite holiday gift? Wow, that’s a toughie! I would have to say being able to share it with my family, I feel truly blessed to have them in my life and the holidays would be so empty without them. If were talking literal gifts, I think the little craft bundle my OH got for me one christmas a couple of years ago. He went to Liberty in London and just bought tons of little sewing notions, trims, buttons and FQ of fabric, he really went to so much effort to choose the colours and styles that he thought I would like, and his efforts reeeeeeeally touched me. I also love the ornaments the kids make for our tree each year. Too many to mention!
My favorite gift ever happened this year, we adopted our foster children! We waited three long years until we finally were able to adopt the boys we raised since birth. This is our first Christmas as a legally recognized family (although I think we’ve always been family) and it is by far the best!
My Favorite holiday gift of all time was from my Great Grandma, she made quilts back in the 50′s and 60′s and would use old clothes from my mom’s youth. I will always cherish her and her quilts. My Great Grandma lived to be 106, 7 days shy of 107, she lost her husband at 40 and lived from 40 on to 101 by herself and then at 101 went into a home and lived there for almost 6 more years, she was an inspiration to so many in our family.
Precious…
My favorite Christmas gift ever, I was probably 8 years old.. and our whole family got our dachshund doggy named Scooter. We loved that doggy for 17 years.. he was a tough dog to live with 7 children, and now our family has 3 weiner dogs of our own. We just love those dogs.
One of my favorite gifts was when I was about 8 years old. My Mother and father gave me a light blue wool skirt with a matching sweater. My brother gave me a pin that had the matching blue in it. I still have the pin over 50 years later.
Oh, wow! Seriously, I love ALL these ladies!! Thanks so much for the chance!!
My favorite holiday gift I ever received was when my parents gave me a stamp collecting kit. That became a favorite hobby of mine for many years after that!
In December 2009, I had a minor surgery that ended up having major complications. I was discharged the week before Christmas after 11 days in the hospital. I would go on to have 4 more surgeries in January. My partner and I live far away from my family, although my mom was there while I was so ill… but once I was released she had to go back home because of her work. Other members of my family were preparing to forgo their holiday plans to come stay with me, but my partner told them he could handle it… and he did. He was there with me every step of the way, acting as my advocate, coordinating nurses, organizing my medications. Christmas was low-key… just the two of us. No decorations or gift (there had been no time or energy for that while I was in the hospital). But the gift of his immense love and care for me was humbling. That moment in our relationship was the best Christmas present I’ve ever received. And happily, I’ve fully recuperated with no lasting problems.
So very lovely.
Mmmm…I agree…so perfect. A winner here Kimberly I feel! Happy Christmas.
My goodness! These giveaways, every day, give me such a delightful anticipation and *hope I win* feeling! My favorite Christmas gift… there have been many, but the first to come to mind was a pair of roller skates when I was nineteen. I still have them… uh… twenty five years later. My youngest son learned to skate with them. I loved skating. I wore them in the house. They made me feel lucky and free and happy, and even though I have not worn them in quite some time… knowing they are there, still gives me that lucky-free-happy feeling.
One of my all time favorite gifts was when I was in the 2nd grade. I wanted a puppy soooooo badly. On Christmas morning I went tearing down the stairs hoping to be greeted by a yipping pup, but instead there was a hamster cage with a note from Santa. It said, “I’m sorry it’s not a puppy, but I hope you’ll love and take care of this hamster. His name is Fido.” Not only did I love my hamster, but I now appreciate my parents’ creativity :)
These giveaways are amazing! Thank you for the opportunity to “meet” so many incredible artists; it’s fun to check out all their sites and blogs and….dream of winning! My favorite gift must be the handmade cards my kids have made over the years with funny notes inside and coupons for “a day of rest” or “breakfast in bed” or “I won’t fight with my sister all day”.
My favorite holiday gift was a ping pong table we got for the family. It is the one thing our teenage son will do with us and have fun!!!! Thanks!
Thanks for the chance to win! I have really thought hard about this and I can’t pick one thing, I have received so many great gifts over the years.
Thanks for the chance to win some great prizes! My favorite holiday gift was when my husband gave me a fancy new camera – it had different lens and everything. We weren’t yet married then and I had only vaguely expressed an interested in photography, but we’ve been married for awhile now and I LOVE photography so it was a perfect gift!
I have gotten so many wonderful gifts over the 62 years ……..
a cord organ when I was 10 years old, my engagement ring on Christmas Eve one year and my first baby was the only gift under the tree one year………but I am always excited when I open a gift from my lifelong friend she always sends me cute craft or sewing stuff.
These are such great prizes…thanks for offering the chance to win!
My best Christmas gift was my Oldest son! 31 years ago.
As a child, “santa” gifts were the best because it meant I Had been a “good girl”.
A gift I still remember so clearly came when I was about 6 years old (1969). My aunt sent me a Skipper doll. Barbie and her gang were still a fairly new thing then, and the legs didn’t bend and they didn’t twist at the waist or anything. They were hard plastic dolls. I remember how thrilled I was with Skipper! She had a little red velvet coat and beret. I stopped opening presents to play with my doll. I must have changed her clothes a hundred times that day.
There is not any one thing but I always love getting photos and the things they made.I have kept all these handmade cards and ornaments through the years.The memories that come with these cards and ornaments can never be bought.Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, love, and hope.
Hmmmm…..favorite gift…..without sounding too gushy, it would have to be my son. He was born just a few days before Christmas and it is one of my most memorable!
Thanks for the fun!
(I’m having trouble getting the link up at the top to work….I’ll keep trying, just fyi)
A wedding band to replace the one I had lost!
Seven years ago,our dogs had puppies and i didn’t think we were going to keep one. I was very surprised when my boyfriend brought me ‘Bear’ the puppy i got close to and he was wrapped in a bow ! :)
Oh boy, my very favorite gift was last year when my children got together to get their pictures taken for me. This was hard for them, getting a group shot as their sister had passed away 5 years prior. But, the 7 of them figured it out and they put together another framed print of their missing sister. We miss her every day, but we’ll never forget.
My favorite holiday gift ever was a light/tracing tray I received when I was about 7, it came with Disney characters and flowers to trace. I still use it to this day many many…many years later. Thank you Santa, you changed the course of my life and helped shape me into the creative person I am today.
My favorite is when my daughter was 8 and she created a christmas story for me. She picked out the illustrations and wrote a cute little tale about two mice! I always have it by my bedside to read when I’m feeling down!
Probably this…we take turns hosting Christmas in my extended family. So its usually 5 years before its my turn again. That means I’m really excited when I finally get to explode with Christmas around here!!! Everybody in all 5 families brings their gifts for each other and our living room turns into a flurry of excited voices, squeals of delight, laughter, chatter and paper flying around for an hour or so.
But the favourite moment for me is a bit surreal.
Its when I stand back and look at all this activity and appreciate the people in the room…they arent there for me…they are there for each other and while I stand and observe, I see all the love and connections…and say thanks for being able to see it all in my house, where my Christmas tradition is ‘peace, love and joy’.
Its that moment when I stop taking photos for a moment and just take it all in.
I recieved my first wrist watch ,engraved,”To Jackie, love Papa”. This was my Grandfather who had passed away a few months earlier, but he had already bought the watch.
My greatest gift was some diamond earrings that my husband bought me when our girls were small and we did not have much money.
Even though we have yet to take the class, my most memorable gift was from my husband, then fiance, and he gave me ballroom dance lessons. (supposed to be for out wedding) but we have been now married for 10 years and I still ask him about it!:) love him though for even thinking about and knew it was going to be TORTURE for him!:)
Cathy Z’s class sounds so awesome!!
My favorite holiday gift was a mixer from my partner Hayden. It wasn’t really the gift that made me so happy, it was how pleased he was that he had remembered something I had wanted, and how excited he was to give it to me. Those are the things that makes gifts memorable!
Not really a holiday gift, but my favorite nonetheless. My sweet hubby is my favorite gift/blessing. He came into my life when I was in my mid 40s. Our wedding day was my favorite day!
Susan says…
One of my favorite Christmas gifts is a sewing machine from my husband. I had began crafting again, since I was a stay at home mom and continue to make crafts.
My favorite all-time gift was a shadow box with a cross and words to a hymn that my husband made for me. We were quite broke that year, so the handmade gift was especially meaningful!
My favorite holiday gift I received was a simple phone call home. While serving an 18 month mission for the LDS church in Slovenija, I was only allowed to call home twice a year…once on Mother’s Day & once on Christmas. Getting to hear my family’s voices was the best gift I could receive. So often it’s the little things that mean the most. THANKS! :)
As I am a dollmaker – mainly cloth – I must say my favorite gift – the most magical to me was as a child! I received three beautiful dolls in big ball gowns. I still have them today in my studio and still have that rush of emotion when I look at them smiling back!
Another wonderful giveaway! I don’t know how you can have six more days of wonderfulness left to go…..Thanks again Jo…whoever wins this package or any for that matter is one blessed girl!
One of my favorite gifts was one of the first digital cameras way back when! It was a Sony Mavica Digital and i was HOOKED! My sweet husband gave it to me…and it was a surprise!
My husband gave me a Bernina 1030 after visiting the sewing machine plant in Switzerland.
Can I just say I have gotten more hours of pleasure sitting at my sewing machine than I ever thought possible! Now what year was that?
thanks so much for the chance to win these great prizes from such creative ladies.
Happy Sewing and Merry Christmas
I was just thinking of this yesterday. My husband gave me a plush terry cloth robe years (at least 12!) ago and I have used it every day since then. It is strting to show it’s age, bald spots and holes along the seams. But I love it so much I don’t even want to consider finding a replacement.
My favorite gift is the Kitchen Aid mixer that hubby gave me a few years ago. I know a lot of girls don’t want an appliance as a gift, but I love baking and wanted one for years!
My favorite holiday gift I received was a letter from my aunt’s lawyer that said she left me a little something… He had “found” a little acount that she had left behind and was unclaimed. Then the following year he found some stock certificates that were left behind. It was ironic that it happened around Christmas. Both Christmas times were obviously after she had passed away. It was just her way of letting me know that she was still thinking of me from beyond. Neither amounts were very big. But the message was very very clear.
just after i was born, a close friend of the family gave me a really big stuffed jaguar which i insisted was a leopard and named him leppy. i took him everywhere even though he was giant and by the time i was about 25 i still had him though he’d been repaired quite a few times. my brother was in a thrift store and found a like-new condition of the exact same jaguar… then he had to figure out how to wrap it!
I was just thinking of this yesterday. My husband gave me a plush terry cloth robe years (at least 12!) ago and I have used it every day since then. It is starting to show it’s age, bald spots and holes along the seams. But I love it so much I don’t even want to consider finding a replacement.
My favorite Christmas gift was a present for the entire family from my childhood in the late 60s – a very large wooden toboggan with a bright red seat. With my friends in the neighborhood, we’d pull it through a path in the woods to a wonderful hill on the edge of a golf range that was perfect for sledding. We could pile six or seven of us on the toboggan. The last one to be seated would give a shove to get us going and hop on the sled riding backwards! We would rotate our seating positions since everyone wanted to ride on the back. The toboggan was so heavy to pull back up the hill, a job no one wanted, so we had a system of taking turns. We’d trudge back home through the woods exhausted and happy!
my engagement ring!!
Last year my favorite gift was a painting of my daughter. It was so thoughtful and sweet.
Hard to say what my favorite gift has been, but I’m still enjoying my first microwave 25 years later. . . :-)
My firstborn! He was born 4 days after Christmas <3
My favorite holiday gift. December of 2000 I went into the hospital so doctors could induced birth. However, through a series of events I wish on no one, I gave birth to my son Leo via emergency C-section. It was a close call for us both, but we lived. Leo was in the hospital from Dec 11 2000 to mid January 2001. The entire holiday season was spent with frequent hospital visits by friends and family. Even though Leo wasn’t born on Christmas, he is my favorite holiday gift. Leo cannot walk, talk, or do anything for himself, but each holiday season reminds me how life changes in the blink of an eye. It is because of him that I am able to devote so much time to crafting as a part of the healing process. But when I see Leo smile, use a walker, or respond to his name, I feel just like I got the best present in the world!
Oh my goodness……too many to count, but the first Christmas we were a married couple, my husband gave me a special Black Hills gold ring that I wore until last year….it needs a repair. Almost 30 years of continuous wearing.
My best holiday gift was the birth of my second daughter, Natasha on November 22, 1978! That Thanksgiving and Christmas I had two beautiful daughters to share the joy with.
Diana
I have always loved to read. I received Little Women for Christmas one year and still have the same copy (I’ve had it for many, many, many years :) ). It started my love for all of Louisa May Alcotts books which I have collected.
Every year my cousin Kira sends me 3 or 4 of the ugliest, tackiest ornaments she can find. It started when I had a very sad looking Christmas tree that even Charlie Brown’s tree would have found pathetic. Kira, then 4, picked out some ornaments that she thought would make it look better. They tipped it over. It turned into a joke and has been going for about 8 years now, and I love them! I have a fishing flamingo, a skiing hippo, a huge DIVA sign in hot pink glitter, among others.
My favorite holiday gift would have been last year…we adopted a puppy from a rescue group and gave it to each other as a family gift. It all happened on the spur of the moment…we weren’t even considering getting another dog. But the gal from the rescue group we adopted our other dog from knew I had always wanted a Malti-poo…when one arrived (they didn’t see many of this breed in their rescue group that saves puppies from puppy mills) she called me to see if I was interested. I was out of town and didn’t get back to her until after she had already had interest from others it was too late. But then she surprised me by calling me back a few hours later to tell me she decided to let us have the puppy rather than the other family…she said it felt like he was meant to go to our home. So that evening, my husband and I told the kids we were going grocery shopping and went and got the little guy. We brought him home with a small bow and surprised the HECK out of the kids! Charlie is now a year old and has been part of our family for one year next week..
The best gift I ever received was a hand stamped bronze and silver necklace that my boyfriend had an artist off etsy make especially for me. He asked for it to be round, say “Eco Chick” on it have a heart and a peace sign. Totally me. So much fun!
I always love getting gift certificates to the spa. getting a facial or pedicure it just something I never go and do for myself and it is a real treat to use that g.c.!
What just popped into my mind was the Christmas I thought I’d lost my diamond earrings. They were just tiny little studs, but still….I was so worried about where I could have left them. And on Christmas morning, I opened a sweet sewing basket from my husband, and inside was a jeweler’s box. With bigger earrings – he’d traded my littles up for bigger ones :)
My favorite Holiday gift….? I was probably about 7 or 8 years old, and like most 7 or 8 year olds, I loved baby dolls. So, in my letter to Santa Claus, I asked him to bring me a baby doll— only that– and no particular doll, just a baby doll. Well, I already had lots of dolls– all sorts– “fashion” type dolls, dolls with hair that you could style, a doll that said, “Mama”, etc… but I wanted one more- a new one… So, on Christmas morning, Santa had brought me “one more doll”… but this one was special– it was just like a real baby… only plastic molded hair, eyes that *didn’t* open and close- just painted on and it looked just like a real baby, to me, anyway. I immediately named him, “Timmy” (he just looked like a “Timmy” to me :-). Santa had also brought me a little baby stroller for “Timmy”, some extra clothes (sleepers and baby tee shirts, etc) and diapers for him, and a set of magic bottles that looked like “Timmy” was actually drinking his milk and orange juice! :-) I caressed, rocked, sang lullabyes to , and loved Timmy for years….. He, to this day, is still my favorite gift ever!
A new car from my dad :)
It’s been 7 years ago..still is my fave christmas present
One of my favourite gifts was a desk and hutch that my husband surprised me with one Christmas. I had taken over a spare bedroom as my office/sewing/craft room and was using odds and ends of old furniture in there. He totally ignored my wish list that year and came up with his own great gift idea.
What a hard question to answer….a recent favorite was a few years ago when my husband took me to the south of France for Christmas. This year we are going to Paris – so it may become my new favorite! What great gifts you are giving away and so many chances for many of us to win. Thank you! Happy Holidays!
What a great question! How do you pick just one thing out of a lifetime? I’ve been very blessed over my life and my Mom (a single Mom) always made it happen even though we didn’t have a lot of money. So there were a few years when I got things that I never knew how she made it happen. A Lego castle and a Cabbage Patch kid. Both of those were really expensive (maybe they really were or maybe we really didn’t have any money??) My nephew (he’s 5) plays with that Lego castle now and loves it, makes me happy that after all these years in the basement it can be loved and enjoyed again.
My son and dil surprised me with a very special gift two Christmas’s ago. A frame with two of my BEAUTIFUL Grand Children. & on the third frame my dil did a wonderful calligraphy birth announcement telling us that baby number 3 was on the way.
when we were dating, my husband bought me a gorgeous bouquet that stood 3 feet tall. it was the first time he bought me flowers.
My favorite gifts are always creative books. They get my creative juices flowing and with the winter months just beginning, I have more time to be creative
A trip to Ireland. My best friend and I planned a trip in May of 2010, but I was laid off my job. So she surprised me and took me to Ireland in January instead, when the rates were 1/2 price. Awesome!
These giveaways ARE so FABULOUS! And it’s fun to be reminiscing like this…thank you!
Today I can’t think of a single specific answer! I have received many wonderful gifts over the years, but honestly I am having are hard time recalling a tangible favorite. I mostly remember the joy of everyone sitting around the tree together each year, laughing and sharing as we open the gifts. I know I always feel a little disappointed when we are done, even though I usually have a wonderful collection of gifts sitting next to me! Well, after re-reading what I just wrote, I suppose I have kind of answered the question after all…my favorite gift is the gift of shared family time.
My favorite holiday gift would be this year is going to be my son’s first Christmas opening gifts! I cant wait.
For sure my all time favorite gift has been a little black cat- she has graced our lives beyond measure. Can a cat be the best friend, companion, hugger, listener? This one can
I thank my husband every day for letting this fur baby choose us so many years ago.
my favorite gift was my DSLR camera a few years back! i wanted to learn how to take better pictures and needed a new camera and my sweet husband and kiddos got me just what I wanted!
I have gotten some really great thoughtful gifts over the years but I think the most special would be a set of antique kitchen hand towels. Such a small gift, but so special because my husband searched for them because he knew I would love them.. He is the most thought man in the world and I am so blessed to call him mine!
Twelve years ago I received a new sewing machine. This machine has helped me make friends, comfort others, spread cheer, ease lonliness, and connect me to a much wider world.
I guess that I am lucky, but I always appreciate whatever I get, as I take it as the gift of the giver, and that makes me feel special and loved. Any gift, if it is from the heart is the most fantastic gift of all, and I always appreciate it!
Two years ago my hubby got me a spinning wheel!! I had no clue that he even knew I wanted one.
Best gift was a small sewing machine from my husband so I could easily take it to classes!
My favorite Christmas present was a beautiful gold cross necklace with a diamond and rubies on it. My mother had it for years and never wore it. I think of her everytime I wear it and get lots of compliments when I do wear it. Thank you Mom in Heaven. Merry Christmas everyone.
My favorite Holiday gift I’ve ever received would have to be the Cricut expression my mom gave me last year. It was used, but it has been so great to have around. Me and my kids make things with it all the time!
My favorite gift? why the trip my mother gave to my family and I… all 17 of us to spend Christmas and New Years together in Mexico. We had a BLAST!
My husband got me a charm bracelet and every year adds to the bracelet. I love the symbolism the charms represent about what is important in my life my faith, my family, my interests.
Now that we are a little older my mom has a hard time getting us gifts, (she still likes to have something for us to unwrap). So a couple years ago she made me a funny little scrapbook thing that had money on different pages & detailed different things they could be used for. Love that book! She knows I love anything creative.
My favorite has to be the Accuquilt Go the hubs bought me last year. It has made quilting so much easier!
The best gift I ever received was my first sewing machine when I was 8 or 9. It was a cabbage patch machine (totally 80′s). I promptly snuck upstairs and cut squares out of all of my mom’s fabric so that I could make my first quilt. Boy was she mad. :)
a Christmas trip to Colorado
I think my favorite gift that I have ever received was being able to come home and spend the holidays with family.
When I was in about 4th or 5th grade my great aunt got me a stationary set. It was in a folding booklet with sheets and envelopes. The print is tiny gingham checks in pink, blue, purple and yellow pastel. I had never received anything quite like it and fell in love with “pretty paper” from that day forward. I loved the colors, the tiny gingham check print and the ribbons.
My favorite gifts will always be the ones the kids purchased when they were ever so small. Now that they are grown I still remember them being super small and going to the dollar store and buying super cheap things or drawing me pictures. I tucked those things into boxes and will shed tears as I sort through them all these years later. Now my grands will make me things and I tuck them into the same box and shed a similar tear. They are the best gifts ever!!!
My favorite holiday gift actually came at Thanksgiving instead of christmas 2 years ago. I moved to the Netherlands 11 years ago and every since I have moved I have missed every thanksgiving with my family. 2 Years ago everyone was meeting up at my sisters house and I was really blue. Well my boyfriend bought me a ticket home at the last moment. So I did not tell anyone I was coming. I took a taxi to my sister’s house. I walked in the door and said “hey you really should lock your doors around here. You never know who will walk in.”And all my nieces, nephews, sisters, parents came running to hug me. Crying and screaming. It was wonderful to surprise them and to enjoy celebrating thanksgiving with everyone again!
It’s very difficult for my family members to get me present because I like to shop myself, so I usually get gift cards. I guess that’s my favorite. lol.
My favorite holiday gift was our son–he was due on Christmas but came a few days early–still counts in my book :-) He and my daughter (and hubby) are the loves of my life and I can’t imagine my life without any of them!
A number of years ago my daughter made me a jar full of little slips of pink paper…. on each one she had written a special memory she had of me and our relationship. It was so sweet and such a treasure…….I’ll have it forever.
My favorite holiday gift was when my parents announced to us kids after opening all the presents that we were going to Disneyland! We didn’t really believe them because they were jokesters, and it took them a few minutes to say that “yes, we are really going!” I was about 8 years old then and 16 years later it is still one of my favorite memories!
My favorite holiday gift is the one that I am anticipating with great joy! This will be the first Christmas for 3 of my grandnieces and I just want to see their eyes and smiles as they take in all the family festivities. And, my mother’s happiness (their great grandmother) as she watches them at our family get-together.
I would have to say my best Holiday gift was my gift last year from my husband. We usually do not exchange gifts with each other since there is always so many other things that we need to spend money on during the holidays. I would prefer that my kids had the best Christmas that they could have and not worry about what I am getting. So last year when I got a laptop from my husband I was very very surprised. I used to have to go down to the basement to go on the computer. Now I am upstairs in any room that I choose. It makes it so much easier ,my laptop follows me everywhere….kinda like a kitten….
My favorite gift was probably when I took over for the holiday hosting, our family finally came together without fights and arguments it was finally a fun evening with my family. And every year
my husband and his love.
I’d love to win a Slice Fabrique. I have a Slice Elite and it’s a great little machine!
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. So when my family is home with Christmas, I don’t need gifts. Being together is the most beautiful and precious gift…..
Xxxx
My favorite holiday gift – was about the only year my husband had money to surprise me with a gift… He went out, and bought a ring to put on my finger… He had been through so much as it was – and for him to do that – special…and scrapbooked!
[WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us ’0 which is not a hashcash value.
The best gift ever was my baby girl on christmas eve!
My favorite Christmas I ever received was a moped when I was 14. It gave me the freedom to go where I wanted. I used to make a lot of my clothes back then. That is where I got my passion for sewing. I remember making many trips to the fabric shop to buy fabrics to make something new. I just started quilting this year, but the lessons I learned from sewing back then really helped me with my quilting. Thanks for yet another great giveaway.
When I was about 7 or 8, I fell IN LOVE with miniature dollhouses and I wanted one so badly I think it hurt. Unfortunately, my family was in the midst of a financial strain at the time and my parents simply could not afford a gift like that. Several years later, when I was about 12 or so, they gave my my dream dollhouse for Christmas. I was ecstatic!
My favorite Christmas present is to see that my family gets what they want!! I am the mother of 5 and the Grandma to 6! My huband and I don’t exchange gifts. Christmas is for the Kids!!! When our kids were little there just wasn’t enought money to do it and now there is Grandkids to think about! Never enought money for ourselves! But it doesn’t matter as long as the babies are HAPPY!
It was the package I got on my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My two best friends (and one’s husband) sent me the most gigantic box I’ve ever seen come through the mail that didn’t contain a refrigerator or oven. I could have fit myself and maybe a friend as well. It was chock full of goodies and toys and a glow in the dark Hoberman sphere. I still love that sphere and kids are obsessed with it.
My best gift was my icecream maker attachment for my stand mixer. I love making homemade ice cream with my 5yr old daughter.
My favorite holiday memory is getting one last Christmas with my dad back in 1997 before he passed in early 1998.
My favorite holiday gifts are Kendle (12/18) Caitlin (12/22) and Allison (11/28) who was due in December- so technically she is the Thankgiving gift that was due in December!
My favorite Christams gift would not be what I have gotten, but the looks on my kids and grandkids faces when they have gotten what they want!! I am the mother to 5 and the Grandma to 6! When my kids were young there wasn’t alot of money, so there wasn’t presents for my husband or I. ( Which was fine with us) Then before we knew it there were Grandkids! But I have always felt that Christmas is REALLY for the kids! There is nothing better than to see the look on thier faces Christmas morning when the are opening the gifts that they wanted soooo badly! So I guess my favorite gift is the LOOKS on a childs face!
My favorite Christmas gift, there have been many. Some from my childhood that I still have. I would say that my most favorite gift has to be my Mom. A few years ago my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer and had to go through chemo. Anyone that has seen a loved one go through chemo knows that it is quite hard on the body and hard to watch someone you love suffer through the treatments. Every few days mom would have to go sit for hours to get her chemo treatments. I live out of town and so I wasn’t able to be there often enough to hold her hand during those treatments and hug her. Mom was struggling with the treatments and getting sicker and sicker. Dad called and in talking to him, I knew he needed help. I flew out immediately to spend the holidays with them and the day after I arrived, everything went drastically downhill. Mom would only lie on the couch and wouldn’t eat or drink anything, not even the meal supplement shakes. Dad called her Dr and he said get her to the ER. Mom was rushed to the hospital and I honestly thought that she might not make it. A lot of prayers and the doctors and nurses taking fine care of her over the next several weeks saw her through this. I made mom a scrapbook about the great moments in her life, which she cherishes and looks through. It was a labor of love for me. She just passed her 5 year mark of being cancer free and I give thanks every day that she is still with us. Dad might say she is his, but my BEST Christmas gift, is my Mom.
Easy! About ten years ago my husband bought me 2 Red Poll cows!! As a farmer’s daughter this was the best gift ever!!
My favorite holiday gift is one I am about to receive….my youngest sister is going into labour as we speak, and I am going to become a first time aunt…*tear of happiness* So incredibly excited to meet my new niece…… I’m sure it will be the best Christmas ever:)
The best Christmas present I received was many years ago…my late husband worked many OT hrs to save enough money to surprise me with a antique jewelry armoire. He had it hidden out in the shed wayyy back behind his tools lol. He blindfolded me and led me out to the hiding place. Since we were a struggling young family at the time & the effort he put into completely surprising is a priceless memory I hold dear. Merry Christmas everyone!
My favorite holiday gift is always the handmade one I GAVE. That gives me a bigger “gift” than I could ever get!
My favourite gift was a crocheted blanket for my bed given to me by my Nana 10 year ago. It took her all year to make it and it is just lovely with beautiful yellow, blues and white. It is still used all the time in my house, and now that she is gone it is still a lovely reminder of her and having something she specially made for me.
My favourite gift was when my husband’s son and dauther-in-law send us tickets to come and visit then in New Zealand! What a experience!!
My favorite gift I received was my youngest son. He was born on Christmas morning! He was a big surprise because he was a boy (sono’s said girl) and he was 6 weeks early! We are so thankful for our little sweetheart.
Picking just one favorite is hard because my family is very thoughtful, but one thing I look forward to every year is the doll I’ll get from my daughter. She hand sews dolls based in fandoms and interests. So far she’s given me Doctor’s Companion Donna, Poison Ivy and Elphaba. She doesn’t take requests, and sews them with scraps of fabric from thrift stores and lots of originality in how she chooses the fabric for the dolls.
I love them because she puts so much thought into the lovely little dolls, and what she thinks will make me happy.
My favorite gift would have to be my sewing machine. My husband got it for me our 2nd Christmas and almost 18 years later, it is still going. I love it because he picked it out himself.
My favorite holiday gift came on the 13th of December, a little early for Christmas- my youngest daughter who will be 20 this year! Her birthday is always the start of the Christmas season for me!
What an amazing giveaway I just found your website through twitter. Thanks for a chance to win.
Angela
I guess my favorite gift of all time was a 35 mm camera with a zoom & wide angle lens & even tripod and bag for my gift from parents when I was 16 awesome!
My favorite holiday gift was a beautiful necklace that my husband bought for me. Normally I don’t wear jewelry, but this was so me and so perfect and it was nice to get something pretty instead of something useful (like a crock pot!).
my favorite gift was when I was 8 yrs old, it was my first watch – and probably most treasured because it was the last christmas before my mom died…34 yrs ago.
Too many wonderful favorites from my first puppy to my son a week before Christmas! But in the ‘smaller-personal-gift’ area I would have to say my FAVORITE is a book a good friend of mine gave me. She knew that I love Jane Austen (have several of her books) and love watching Pride and Prejudice ( my all time favorite with Collin Firth)! This book is amazing! It is Jane Austen The Illustrated Library. It is huge – 3 inches thick! It’s like a giant old Bible with silver gilded edges on the paper and has the most beautifully illustrated pictures/ plates. I love that she picked it out perfectly for me!
A minature cocker spaniel I named Prissy because she was light blonde and …well, Prissy. She was tiny and so beauriful. Not my smartest dog, grin. She brought me years and years of joy.
Being able to travel home one year, when we thought it would be impossible.
When I was about 8 my Nana gave me one of those jewelry boxes with the dancing ballerina in it. I desperately wanted one, but I have never told anyone I did!
A former boyfriend filled a vintage sewing basket with DMC pearl cotton. It surprised me as he didn’t like my crafty side which led to our demise, but it was thoughtful and I have never forgotten it.
My favorite Christmas gift would have to be the Barbie doll house my stepfather made for me when I was 9 years old. I loved my Barbies and I loved playing with that house! It was very simple, just one room, but my mom had decorated it with pink contact paper and pretty curtains. I thought it was amazing.
My favorite holiday gift I received last Christmas was a beautifully crocheted scarf that my sister in law made. It is so lovely and I know that it was created specifically with me in mind and took a lot of time and effort!
My favorite holiday gift was a proposal of marriage and beautiful engagement ring seven years ago. It is such a special memory!
My father is a AWESOME gift giver and one of those gifts was my first designer handbag!!
My favoriate holiday gift…that’s easy. When I was younger, much much younger, my mother each year for Christmas would make me a brand new flannel nightgown with a matching pillowcase that had a pocket for a kleenex. I loved getting that handcrafted gown every year and it broke my heart when i was a teenager and she gave me store bought gold lame pajamas with a matching quilted robe. She thought I had outgrown the flannel gowns. She was wrong. And I still cherish those Christmas memories. Those handmade gowns, to me, were a physical reminder of my Mom’s love every time I put one on.
My grandmother for Christmas every year would get all the married girls in the family a special gift and one year it was our last names crocheted in a cream pearl cotton (her friend did them). My grandmother is sadly no longer with us but I had mine framed, it hangs on a wall in my home and everytime I look at it, it brings back wonderful memories of her, the times we had together and the special bond we shared.
i’m going to have to say …..an EASY BAKE OVEN. I loved baking cakes by LIGHT BULB !! Still love to bake !!
My most favorite Christmas gift EVER that I received was photographs. I had a shoebox full of 35mm and 110 film under my bed that I’d been filling up, having every intention of developing someday but never got around to it…. My mother somehow got the box and developed every single roll of film for me. I had NO idea the box was even gone! I cried like a baby! That was probably 10-15 years ago, but it is a Christmas memory I will never forget.
I love anything that someone had taken the time to get just for me! Can’t pick a fave!
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My favorite gift this year happened on my 40th birthday – the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had lots of family over for Thanksgiving and my kitchen was a mess, especially the white tile floor. My daughters (13 & 11) knew I didn’t want to clean it after three days of cooking so they did it for me! On their hands and knees with toothbrushes and a squeegee! Best 40th birthday gift I could have hoped for! ;)
My fav Christmas gift was recieving a parakeet from my parents. I know they really didn’t want another pet, so it was really nice of them.
My best holiday gift was a guitar from my parents for Christmas when I was in college (many, many years ago!). It was a total surprise, which is why I can still remember it so clearly. Thanks for the chance to win.
First time here to enter but now that I see all the fab things, I’ll be back.
I would say that my best present was, a set of beautiful china that my husband picked out, he gave me a place setting and said I could get a different one if I wanted. We went and looked at all the patterns, but I loved the one he picked. He also gave me an antique China cabinet to put the new china in. When we got married we did not get china. I am so glad that I got this after 20 years of marriage, I knew more what I wanted and loved. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I love this and look forward to it every year. Terri
My favorite holiday gift is time off together and especially when it involves an unexpected trip back home to visit family and friends.
My favorite gifts over the years have always been those made especially for me by my daughters, both when they were little girls and now that they are mature adults with children of their own. They are treasures in my eyes, and I know they were made with love. Another gift is having one of them showing up when I do not expect them for a special occasion. That is a special surprise and a great gift! Family is my gift, what could be better than that?
When my grandmother was in her 90′s, she made me small needlepoint picture. It wasn’t perfect but I remember thinking, I hope I can still stitch when I am her age. Now, i watch my mom still knit at 94 and I am still inspired to keep creating.
One of the best presents I ever received was the pearl necklace that my husband gave me. He surprised me and picked it out all by himself! Love him for it! Thanks. :)
My favourite Christmas gift I’ve received was a pair of diamond earrings from my boyfriend when I was 17. I was shocked by the generous gift, and it really confirmed how serious our relationship was to him. Now, 14 years later, and over 11 years of marriage to him, they still haven’t left my ears :)
ourbusylittlebunch(at)hotmail(dot)com
My mom bakes us caramel popcorn every year!
I wanted a necklace with my name but they don’t make necklaces with Mary Lou on them.
My husband went to the jeweler and had them custom-make a necklace for me with my name.
Now that he is gone it is a loving reminder of how thoughtful he was.
My most favorite Christmas gift was when my parents gave me my favorite childhood Christmas book, “Apple Tree Christmas” by Trinka Hakes Noble. It is the original one from my childhood with the ripped cover and all and I LOVE IT. Now I’m sharing it with my girls:)
My favorite holiday gift was when I was a little girl and got my first pony. I had worked hard in school and been learning to ride on the pony and didn’t even know she was mine until Christmas Day. Love that memory.
If we’re talking about a gift that is actually wrapped and under the tree….I would have to say my James Avery charm bracelet from my husband (at the time my boyfriend). He then gave me 3 charms that represented us – the overlapping hearts, a ladybug (because I love love them) and a soccer ball (which represents him and we played on an indoor soccer team together at the time [which I stunk at pretty bad]). And he also got his mom in it to buy me a few special charms too.
My favorite gift was a fake fur jacket that I got as a teenager.
Favorite gift was when I was 8 years old, Santa brought me an EASY BAKE OVEN. Even at a young age, I enjoyed making home made goods for my family and friends to eat, and that tradition still is with me today. I have however, upgraded to a real size oven!!!!
Merry Christmas
My husband once surprised me with a beautiful skein of yarn. He didn’t know what kind to buy, or how much, but just went to a beautiful local fibre shop and picked something he thought was pretty. LOVE!
Way too many gifts in my life time to pick just one, but the gift of life and faith are a true blessing for me everyday.
Fave gift ever was a proposal from my husband when I thought it would never come, and I think “why” is obvious!
I haven’t recieved my favorite gift yet… This year, a bird told me, that I’m getting a big shot! That’ll allow me to create even more an have so much fun.
My favorite gift I ever received when I was a child was a brownie camera! I was so thrilled to have my very own camera that I could hardly speak and I was shaking. My parents cracked up at how excited I was. In second place was a whole baby layette that my mom made for my doll. I saw her making it and she told me it was for a lady at work who was going to have a baby and I believed her! I thought it was a mistake when I opened it. It was beautiful,beautiful baby clothes all hand sewn and embroidered by my mom!
My favorite gift? Although not immediately obvious, it was my sewing machine I got for Christmas when I was 12. The giant package itself was intriguing …Ah the wonders of being able to make all my clothes, costumes, doll clothes, quilts, and at times clothes for family, friends, and business. I still have that same, almost 40 year old, machine and use it for all my sewing.
My favorite gift….I LOVE PRESENTS!!! so they are all so wonderful!!!!! I am really blessed to have family and friends that are crafty and thoughtful so I always get reaaly great things!! But they are just things. Thankful to have my parents still living and healthy, healthy kiddos and a loving husband. Those are the real GIFTS!
My favorite Christmas gift ever was my dollhouse! My parents bought it for me when I was 7 and I have love love loved it my whole life. My older daughter loved playing with it when she was younger, and then it didn’t survive one of our moves. But I still have all the furniture and was able to put it into another doll house for my little one.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I really can’t recall a favorite gift – except maybe my first “store-bought” fancy dress from my Mom when I was around 13. All my other clothes were either handmade or handmedowns…certainly nothing as nice as that “fancy” dress that Christmas. 2 short months later, someone (who shall remain nameless), placed it in the laundry and it came out of the dryer ready to go on a 24″ doll. Certainly a gift I would love to receive this holiday season would be to reunite with my estranged daughter and her newborn baby girl. I haven’t seen my daughter since 1998 and, even now, await that miracle that would allow it to happen.
WOW AGAIN! All of your participants have been AMAZING but I am already a HUGE FAN of Big Picture Classes! They rock! My favorite holiday gift was 2 tickets to the Prince Purple Rain tour my senior year of high school. I received them from my Aunt/Godmother and was STUNNED!! It was FANTASTIC and the most surprised I have EVER been!!
My favorite holiday gift in my 30 years was my puppy, Einstein. He’s gone now, but when I was 16 we got him for a Christmas present and he was the most amazing dog.
Well it may sound cheesy but I would have to say my baby! She was born Dec. 22nd and will be five this year. She continues to fill my day with sunshine. Thank you for the great opportunity to win!
I remember for one Christmas when I was a teenager I really wanted a new bike. Being there were four kids and not alot of money, I didn’t know if I would get my wish. Christmas morning there was a Beautiful 10-speed bike by our Christmas tree! I was sooo surprised that I received such a wonderful bike. Now being a parent myself, I understand the sacrafices parents and Santas go through to deliver Christmas wishes.
Thank you and ALL your Sponsors for such a generous giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite gift honestly has to be a custom thimble m husband gave me the Christmas after our beloved dog passed on. He took a picture of him as a puppy and had it placed on a thimble – I collect thimbles btw. Thanks for the chance!
My Grandmother gave me these bright green really fluffy slippers the year I turned 16. They were so ugly…but it turned out that they were so comfortable and warm that I wore them for years. That gift also taught me that you accept each gift as it is exactly what you wanted because it is so easy to hurt someone that you love very much by your actions.
It was an old toy I used to play with growing up that I thought was long gone. My sister put an old toy “Mr. & Mrs. Mouse” that I played with all the time in her barbie box. It went into storage for about 25 years until she decided to open the box. She saw what she had and held on to them until it was Christmas. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box and saw my childhood memories staring back at me. Brought tears to my eyes. They are now in a box in my closet safe and sound and I bring them out from time to time which always brings a smile to my face!
I have many favorite and special Christmas memories/gifts…but here is the first one that comes to mind…
Years ago, when I lived in an apartment without a garage, my boyfriend (now husband of 12 years) put auto-start in my car for a Christmas present – saved me from scraping windows and brushing snow off my car everyday in the freezing Iowa temperatures…needless to say, I would thank him every day during each winter I lived there…
My best Christmas gift ever was a sewing machine from my Dad my senior year in high school. 40 years later I am still using it – at least once a month! I took it on the plane to college with me, overseas where I ran it off a converter,I made baby clothes for each of my kids, I’ve made curtains for probably all of the houses we’ve lived in over 35 years and much much more! These days I enjoy sewing patchwork purses and making small quilts. I love my sewing machine and plan to pass it on to my daughter!
The gift that I received that I still have and that would be the first thing (after my children and photo albums) that i would grab in an emergency would be my bear.
I was given Honi Bear when I was 6 months old and I have had him with me ever since. He has been to boarding school, flown to New York (from Australia) and gone to hospital for the birth of both my children. Now he sits in my little girls cot and watches over her – but I still say goodnight to him every night.
He has been in the wars – my dog chewed his nose off (twice), his face got burnt when he sat too close to the pot belly stove one winter and he has emerald boot button eyes to replace his old ones but he is still my bear and I wouldn’t be without him.
My favorite Christmas present was a red sled. I think I was about ten years old, and we had an unexpected snowstorm. My mom told me to get dressed warmly and that I could walk up to the hardware store with my friends to buy a sled. But when I was ready for the snowy walk, my mom pulled the surprise present out of hiding, a beautiful red sled and I was already dressed for the snow!
My favorite gift was the book Little Women I received when I was in grade school from my Uncle. He was such a sweet man, who never had children of his own, but he somehow knew how to relate to me and make me feel special. It was a very big, beautiful book that I loved dearly.
My real life Scottie dog given to me by my husband and grown daughters. The gift that keeps on giving. My blog is even named after her. Ladybug Dreams. I am dreaming of winning a prize today!
Wow… favorite gift.. wow, that’s tough. I’m lucky in having a great family who are fabulous gift-givers >.< I have several art gifts given to me that were made specifically for me from various people that I adore and have displayed, but I love the various pieces of furniture my dad made for me. I have several bookshelves or various sizes, a chest, some beautiful storage bins, night stands and a display shelf, all of which were christmas gifts over the years. why are they my fave gifts? Well duh… 'cause my daddy made them :)
My favorite holiday gift was given to me last year by my daughter. She had her first job and wanted to do something special for me with her own money, so she got me a necklace I’d shown her back in September and a Cricut tool kit. The necklace because she felt I deserved something pretty and the tool kit because it’d make helping her and her brother with their school projects easier. I told her she shouldn’t be spending her money on me and she replied that it felt so good to give back to me and I should just hush and enjoy. Apparently, her mama raised her right! :)
My favorite gift is a crochet tablecloth from an Aunt who has since passed away. I love pulling it out and think of her.
Cashmere underwear! Seriously. :)
My favorite gift? I would have to say it was when I got my first bike without training wheels. I felt so grown and like the whole world was just a quick bike ride away!
It’s not so much which gift was my favorite. Rather, it’s the times that dear hubby and son have planned a surprise gift for me. Together, they select it and keep the secret from me. It is always something they give to make me happy. Such a gift!
A heart locket from my Mom which was originally a gift to her from my Dad.
Scrapbooking papers and album to capture vacation memories during our first anniversary!
What a wonderful prize package. My favorite Christmas gift was a watch. It is not fancy, no diamonds or gold, but it never needs winding and will never need a new battery (for me that is a wonderful thing because I either lose the watch trying to find a new battery or it does not work long after having the battery replaced). The last watch I will ever need charges by being in the light.
I was thrilled to receive my first digital camera for Christmas. It enabled me to take so many more pictures of my grandchildren than I ever could with my film camera.. :-)
It would be hard to pick a favorite heart felt gift. For me it is more the love that was given behind
all the many treasures I have received over the years. The thing that all Good Christmas memories are made of.
These days it is the gift of life and being with family and friends.
I think I have to go back to my childhood many years back and say my first bicycle. It seems like I lived on it as my friends did on theirs. We lived in a safe, friendly neighborhood where we kids stayed outside during any free time we had. Today I’m hardly a fan of 100 plus degree days. I know a lot of heat records were set back when I was young, and air-conditioning was not something we had ;however, I remember that time very fondly. Thank you offering such a lovely giveaway.
My favorite gift of all times as been my first puppy! My parents would not allow pets so my first year on my own my true love at the time got me my first puppy. I have had dogs from that day on and that was 40 years ago!
My favorite gift? Has got to be one I received after Christmas, when my oldest was born 5 days after, almost 6 years ago :)
Lovely giveaway!!!
When I was in my early teens I got a waterbed! My parents had tricked me by hauling wood up to room and made it seem like new shelves…. I still remember my shock and what an amazing gift it was!
My favorite gift was one that my husband gave to our daughters last year….he bought them an incredible sewing machine! So now, I don’t have to share mine and we can sew on projects together!
My favorite gift that I have gotten from my hubby ismy mother’s ring…with all five of our kids’ birthstones.
Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway! Merry Christmas!
Julie
My favorite holiday gift was a blanket crocheted by my Grandmother. It’s very sentimental and in my favorite colors. It, along with my memories of her, never fails to keep me warm.
This is an easy question for me…The BEST Christmas gift I have ever (and will ever) received, was in 2002, when my husband stepped off the airplane and into my arms after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan. Nothing can ever beat that!!
My very favorite holiday gift was my first digital camera. I didn’t even want one but my husband surprised me because he thought that I would like to email photos to my family. Well, I rarely email photos, but I am hooked on digital due to the ease of use, and the fact that I can tell if a photo is a keeper or a dud without having to get them all developed and printed! Can’t believe I actually thought I would not use it!
Hard to decide. I really enjoyed the camera I received 2 years about or the plane ticket to see my best friend. Probably the plane ticket. she has moved many times and this is the first time I actually got to go see her.
No question, my Singer featherweight that my husband surprised me with. He bought it from a lady he works with who’d had it sitting in her basement unused for many many years. I love it, it’s so adorable.
A few years back, my mother made me my first quilt. It was made with Christmas fabrics and I got it for Christmas. It was doubly special! Now I’m a quilter and we do it together!
My favorite holiday gift was a white gold locket with the words my love engraved on the back from my husband.
I have been blessed with many wonderful gifts but one of the most memorable was getting matching pjs for myself and my new baby daughter.
My favorite holiday gift is a couple of sweet ceramic frogs. Not that they are expensive or collectors items but because my son hand-picked them just for me.
My favorite gift was one I received the Christmas just after our twins were born. My husband found a necklace with a red ball locket on a long gold chain (it was the early 90′s) and put pictures of both of our sweet little babies in side. He went through the picture and cut up one of each before he wrapped it up.
Thanks for all the great giveaway opportunities!
One of my favorite presents ever was a Dyson Animal vacuum…which is kind of ridiculous but I’m a tad OCD and the animals are sheddy.
So many great giveaways! I had a nice gift certificate to Big Picture Classes last year–I enjoyed the classes!
My husband’s uncle made us an exact replica of the willow tree creche. He made it out of wormy chestnut ( his signature wood of choice ) and we will treasure it forever!! Every Christmas I set up our willow tree nativity in the most beautiful creche.
The best Christmas gift I ever got was a few years ago when I was in school for my Social Work degree. I was working on a group project that ended up being 2 of us doing the job of 4. My classmate and I were cramming to get it done and the holidays were fast approaching. I was out until 300am working on this project and I had told my boyfriend that we were going to have to not do the tree or decorate that year. I got home, completely spent, and walked into the most gorgeous Christmas decorations. He knew how much it meant to me and how sad I was that I couldn’t do it that year, and he went way over what we usually do. That was so special to me. I just sat there with the Christmas lights on and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could just breathe.
all of them! i love gifts. getting them. recieving them. shopping for them. making them. dreaming them. ahhh, giiiiffts are definitely my love language. i have to say my favorite gift is ironically, the year that a few gal pals got together to scrub my house clean/fluff/redecorate. my husband and i had been away with our premie at the hosptial for what seemed eternity. they surprised me with a sparkling house that smelled and looked gorgeous. it meant even more because they did it together…for me…they didn’t pay a housekeeper. super surprising. very heartfelt. and, totally my fave.
My favorite holiday gift was when my husband gave me a new camera,…He new I loved to scrapbook our children’s memories and craft with photos a lot and I didn’t have a camera (didn’t get custody of the camera in my first marriage). I probably use my camera weekly, and all our kids are grown and not living at home anymore….LOL
Favorite Christmas gift…all the cute handmade gifts my kids made when they were little. I love getting them out each year.
I got this blue agate cameo from my mom with a mom and child on it. The cameo was beautiful, but what meant more with the speech my mom gave at how proud she was of the mother I had become.
The best gift has been having my grown children come home for Christmas and wanting it to be just like it always was when they were growing up. It’s funny the simple traditions that they seem to hold dear … and I never knew!!
The best gift wasn’t something I got on Christmas, but some news that came shortly after. After years of trying for a baby, my hubby and I found out we were going to be parents. It was such a blessing and the best Christmas gift ever.
My favorite gift was my Nikon d80, I love making photos with it and I wanted it forever!!
About 3 years ago, I asked my 6yr old son and husband for some sparkly barrettes I was thinking, fancy bobby pins w/ one small rhinestone on it. Instead I got metal barrettes and those multi colored (hot pink and turqouise) snap barrettes used on little girls with very thin hair. I started laughing so hard I started crying! I had to hide my face because my two guys were SO PROUD of their present! this story is one of my favorite scrapbook pages!
My favorite gift is the dslr my husband gave me two years ago! Thanks for the giveaway! j-j-s AT juno DOT com
They arrived a little early but I always consider my two daughters, both born in December, the eldest on the 22nd and the younger on 11th to be the best give I could ever have received.
When I was a kid it was my walking doll who wore roller skates. Great giveaways
When I was just about too old for a doll, I fell in love with Kissy. She was a beautiful toddler doll and when you squeezed her arms together, she puckered up and kissed. I wanted her so much, but I knew she was expensive and I had no hopes of ever having her. On Christmas morning, I opened a big box with Kissy and several beautiful outfits handmade with love by my mom. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited!
Favorite holiday gift – the engagement ring from my current husband for Christmas eve, 1997. What a surprise! What a wonderful man! What a great gift!!
My husband is not the best gift giver and one year he surprised me with an amazingly beautiful dozen roses..all the colors I love. I was so touched. That was my favorite one! What fun is this:)
I have two favorite gifts — one is a beautiful bentwood backscratcher that my husband gave me (I love that thing!), and the other is a lap blanket that my mom gave me. After my grandmother died, Mom found a bunch of afghan squares that Grandma had crocheted. Mom sewed them together and there were enough for two lap blankets, one for me and one for my sister.
As a child, my favorite gift was a Barbie dream house. Oh, how I wanted and wished and prayed for that house. We didn’t have very much money, but somehow there was a Christmas miracle and Santa delivered the house. I was never so happy as a child!
Wow! Such amazing things being given away…
The best Christmas gift I ever received was just last year – my Sonus Music system! I love it! My husband gave me two speakers and a bridge. They were in heavy boxes – I thought I was getting a set of weights. Boy was I wrong! Music has always been an important part of my life so now I’m able to move a speaker into any room and listen to Pandora or any radio station. I know I probably sound like a commercial but honestly this gift changed my life! I can listen to any artist while I’m creating in my studio – it’s heaven! The really funny thing about this gift was that I NEVER asked for it and I did’nt even know that it existed until…
My favorite Xmas gift ever was hearing the comment from my then young oldest son on Christmas morning as he found his presents from Santa -”I sure hope it isn’t you guys!” That moment of being on the verge of awareness, the need for that magic in a child’s mind. The gift was that realization that we should take a little time now and then, especially at Xmas, to see life through the eyes of a little child, and through that, keep the magic with us forever.
My favorite holiday gift was a bike. Myself and my siblings all got one that year and it was a sight to behold all the bikes standing up by the tree. Glee, happiness, magic and then outside all day long. i loved that bike for a long time.
My grandmother’s mother’s ring… She had 11 children so it was very very special to be chosen to wear something so treasured in our family!
Last year my son’s teacher made wonderful keepsakes of each child’s hands and profile. I proudly display them in my craft space. I was so touched that I got all teary eyed and my 5 year old was very alarmed! I had to explain they were HAPPY tears!
My grandmother gave me a ton of vintage pictures last year. I treasure them with all my heart!!
I would have to say my sewing machine! I use it for paper and fabric crafting!
My favorite gift(s)–just can’t narrow it down–are the ones that my mother has handmade for me over the years. They are always so heartfelt and lovely. I cherish them all!
My favorite holiday gift that I remember getting is a Barbie RV camper! I loved it and was so surprised to get it!
My favorite gift was a garnet bracelet. I used to help my Dad pick out jewelry for my Mom at this very nice store each year. I just loved it that they bought something for me from there. Kathie L in Allentown. What nice vendors you’ve introduced me to. Thanks.
My best present as a purple unicorn banana seat bike because I REALLY wanted it and I rode it every day i could for several years. I think my parents sold it in a garage sale a while back so maybe some other little girl enjoyed it as much as I did.
I would have to say, my doll, Lynne…..I still have her and she sits on my night stand.
I have two favorite gifts: when I was about 10, my parents suprised me with an Adoption Doll (remember that craze in the early 80′s?). I had begged for one forever and had given up hope when my mother noticed “just one more gift” hidden in the room where the tree was. I still have the doll!
The second was a gift my husband gave me for our 3rd Christmas–an antique card catalog. We had been shopping in an antique store and were so sneaky, we each bought something to surprise the other in that trip! I love it–we use it to store DVD’s (it’s the perfect size). I’ve added feet to it, so it’s more like a piece of furniture now.
My favorite gift was a purse given to me by my mom!
My favorite Christmas gift that I ever received was from my Grandma about 62 years ago. It seems like yesterday. It was a beautiful red metal doll trunk with a beautiful little doll and some clothes in it. I will never forget it.
I love birds and my daughter has given me a new bird 3 years in a row now! They are wonderful birds made out of antique parts such as clock and compass parts, old brass rulers,etc, perched on old binoculars , croqcet ball and small watering can, So beautiful and my most special pieces!
I received a dog for Christmas when I was about six years old – a brown cocker spaniel we called Sugar!!!
My most used and probably my favorite holiday gift has been my Calphalon cookware. I got it years ago and still love it every day! Crafty wise, I got a Silhouette last year and have enjoyed that little gadget quite a bit too!
my favorite holiday gift was a photo memory book from my father. Better than the gift itself was the sweet note scratched inside it (he has terrible handwriting)!
One of my favorite gifts was 3 years ago from my husband. He gave me my first digital
camera–Canon Power Shot A610. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I have used
this camera. It goes everywhere I go. The memories it has captured are amazing, some
are sad and some are happy, and some are just for me. Thank you for the chance to
win giveaways!
The BEST Christmas gift I’ve gotten is getting to spend each Christmas the last 30 years with my wonderful hubby, two wonderful daughters and now their guys, and great family and friends.
One gift I do remember most was the 2nd Christmas we were married, my husband and I were shopping at Sears for family gifts when he said – We’re not done yet, come see this. He was over at the sewing machines. He knew I’d been wanting a new one, I had an old hand me down of my mom’s. He said Which one do you like ? So after some test drives, I went home with a brand new Kenmore and sewed happily on it for the next 20 years … and our daughter has it today !
My favorite Christmas gift would have to be my all time favorite football player’s authentic jersey! My parents got it for my Christmas when I was in 8th grade and it is still one of my most prized possessions….20-some years later! I had been wanting it for some time! This was long before wearing jerseys was popular like it is today! Sports were one of the big reasons I started Scrapbooking too!
My favorite Christmas gift actually came in April instead of December. My parents were unable to buy gifts for my brother and I because there was no money to do so. But, my Mom decided that they would keep the tree up for as long as it took for them to be in a better place financially. The months went by and still the tree stood, lit every night by my Mom. Finally, one April while I in class, a call came into the teacher to send me to the office. I got my things and in the office stood both my parents! They wouldn’t say why they were there and that we were going to pick my brother up at his school, too! Finally, we get home and they lead us first into the garage where a brand new 10 speed bike stood for my brother! They led me to my room and waiting for me was the girliest, pink adorned canopy bed, something I had coveted for years!!! It was truly a magical holiday, even though it came 4 months late! We learned that times could be real tough but if we held on, better times would eventually show up!
Susan – Isn’t it amazing how valuable those lessons were to us as kids and again now as adults? What cool parents to keep the tree up :-)! I think I would have caved on that part.
My favorite holiday gift…does it have to be a winter holiday gift?? LOL Because I think the BEST “holiday” gift I ever received was actually a mother’s day gift my husband gave me 2 years ago. He gave me a weekend away at a scrapbooking retreat later that year. It was a VERY much needed break from mothering and being a wife and all that goes along with that. And it was more than that – it was validation from him that my “hobby” really is an important part of who I am, and an indication that he understood how my creative time with girlfriends was rejuvenating for me.
The best holiday gift I ever received was my amazing husband! We spent 7 months apart in 2009 while he completed Air Force Basic Training and his Tech School, and he came home just before Thanksgiving.
Having him home was simply amazing for all of us, and I have never seen my kids so happy!
I think my favourite gift is when my four children all make the effort to be here for Christmas. It happens less and less now and I know it may end someday. It’s been two years since we spent Christmas day together but we will have some time during the holidays all together.
The look on my Dad’s face on Christmas Eve 1990 when we told him that he was going to be a Grandfather. Precious and priceless at the same time. One of my favorite Christmas memories.
oh exciting – hubby and i would love the chance to win a seat in cathys class. he heard me listening to your video the other day and we discussed signing up and doing it together!
best holiday gift…. time with my family and slowing down!
After raising four daughters I finally get to have a room of my own to create. My husband bought me a beautiful desk and hutch.
My favorite gift was my school bag the Christmas before I went to school. :)
Growing up, my brothers and I would each get one main gift and then a few other little things. I think my favorite holiday gift was when I got a stuffed Panda. It was a store promotion where if you spent ‘x’ amount of money, then you could get the Panda for a small amount or free. I think it was a women’s clothing store, and I knew my parents didn’t shop there or have any needs from there. I don’t remember exactly how old I was, but I’d guess between 10-13, old enough to understand money was tight and we didn’t buy extra things. The reason it meant so much was because my mom asked for a friend’s receipt from a jacket purchase and that is how she qualified to get it for me. Now as a mom I understand it better, and realize it was no small effort for my mom to pull that off even though it was impractical and probably seemed silly to her. That panda went to college with me … it is actually still in my closet :-).
The most amazing gift I received was my very first Christmas away from home (about 6 years ago) my family had moved to a different state and I stayed to work/go to school They moved about a month before so we figured there’d be no way for us to get together for a while. Well…they surprised me and drove the 20 hour roundtrip drive to be with me for Christmas day. They literally spent more time driving than actually visiting. All six of us were crammed in my TINY studio apartment, but it was TOTALLY worth it! Best Christmas gift ever….
Favorite holiday gift would be back in 1996. My now other-half gave me a Peckle mug and plush (Hello Kitty Friend). It has been my favorite for the reason that it was dear and meant that he was interested in knowing what I was all about. It also demonstrated that he was attentive to my interest;).
My favorite holiday gift was back in the early 90′s when i had my entire family around for Christmas. The following January my mother n law died to cancer. The holidays have just never been the same since she passed. She loved to craft and sew. She would be so excited to see all the new wonderful tools and supplies that are on the market today. I would be thrilled if I won this prize. Thank you so much for this opportunity. Merry Christmas!!
My favourite present ever was my first troll doll when I was quite little. It triggered a craze, and I collected trolls for a long time thereafter.
PS. That Slice Fabrique looks *so cool*!!
My favourite gifts was the year my husband bought me a satellite radio with a dock for listening to it insode not just bin the car. I use it daily and got to listen to Oprah on the radio!
My favorite gift was a robe….i no a robe right!!! but the best part was when i got home put the robe on, i put my hands down in the pockets & there was a 20 dollar bill in each one!! My mom was good at doing things like that!!!!
The best Christmas present I got was a spur of the moment trip to see my parents. It was the first year I hadn’t been with my family on Christmas Day and my sweet husband and his famliy were so kind and loving. Christmas evening after a teary phone call, my husband said pack a bag. We left the next morning for the 12 hour drive to see my parents. That gift of time and love is one I’ll always remember.
It was probably the big stuffed pink and orange flowered hippo, I was about 7 and thought it was so cool.
Hubby bought me my really wonderful Bernina sewing machine!
The most memorable gift I have received was when I was 8. My parents had an old Singer sewing machine refurbished and put into a cabinet for me – and I got a big sewing kit and lots of fabric. It was the best gift ever! I wish I had kept it! Jamie V in MT
http://rem-nants.blogspot.com
I would love to win this. My favorite gift was a white bathrobe. It was our first Christmas together and we had said that we would only give a small gift and my husband knew that I wanted one so bad that he went out and bought it no matter what,
My first year away at college my mom made me a quilt for my bed for Christmas. Honestly, I really liked it then but since my daughter left this fall for college I think I understand more about the love and thought that went into making that quilt. I love the quilt even more now that I understand missing and loving a daughter!
My favorite gift was a little ceramic jewelry box from my grandmother when I was about 10 years old. I don’t know that it was a favorite at the time, but I still have it (45 years later) and use it for my jewelry. It reminds me of Grandma every time I see it.
My favorite holiday gift was my husband proposing to me (and giving me a ring.) I was just thrilled that we were going to make our commitment and love for each other known to everyone.
I love the annual swarovski ornament my husband gets me. we have one for each year we’ve been married!
Favorite gift I ever received was a gift crafted by my husband. He made me a Cristmas mailbox.
A big stuffed dog because I loved dogs when I was little. :)
Wow, what a giveaway! My favourite holiday present ever was a beautiful painting my son made for me. I could see the love in it!!!
The first or second Christmas after we were married, my husband gave me a sheep skin rug. I had seen it in the store when we were out shopping together and loved it. But we live in Arizona so a sheep skin rug is terribly impractical. And it wasn’t cheap. Not hugely expensive, but not cheap. So I passed on it. Well, my husband saw how much I loved it and decided I should have it. We now have three children and each one has had baby pictures taken on that sheep skin rug.
Three years ago, my husband gave me an Xbox360, some games and a new tv to play them on. I always enjoyed playing video games with my children but over the years have fallen out of the habit. It was so much fun to get back into gaming.
My favorite gift was given to me and my sisters each Christmas as we were growing up – flannel pajamas from Santa. It was a tradition that is a fond memory now.
A mixed cd from my hubby of songs he wrote, played, produced and recorded just for me! Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!
my favorite gift I received was a super nintendo – so so so fun! I had wanted one for ages and playing super mario and street fighter – the best! hours of entertainment
I’m not sure that I can consider this a gift, but I am thankful that I am able to somehow afford to give my two boys gifts from Santa under the tree every year – this year, because I have a gift of a “photographic eye”, I was able to pay for some awesome gifts. For that I am thankful.
This is hard, but my favorite material thing I’ve been given is my camera. I’ve had it for about 9 months now and it has changed my life! It’s been fun to use but also so good for my brain. Learning new things is awesome!!
my first christmas (married) we had NO money. We had enough money for a tree, but no ornaments. My husband bought me a wreath made of rusty bells from Walmart and we MADE ornaments from the bells and some old corregated tin we found in the field behind our little house. We used his cowboy hat on the top of the tree since we couldnt afford a star. We still have the ornaments and I love them the best.
This year I have gotten my favorite gifts! My husband recently retired from the airforce and he was finally able to find a job in UT. We were able to close and move into the house we have been building since august. We received all of our furniture that we have not seen since sept. My kids have room to run and their own rooms again! We are blessed! We are not exchanging gifts this year, we do it for the kids! :) We are so very excited to get a real christmas tree, we have not had one in the last 7 years!! Merry Christmas!
My favorite holiday gift would have to be the digital camera my husband got me for the Christmas our twin boys were about to turn 2 — up until then I’d been taking a billion photos a month with film and spending a lot of $$ on processing. Oh the joy of deleting the bad shots right away and being able to take as many photos as the memory card could hold! I began to take even more pictures — of the boys, of things I love, of nature, of whatever I want — and I haven’t stopped since!
My daughter was born in December…so nothing could top that for me.
My favorite holiday gift was my first iPhone. My husband totally surprised me that first year the iPhone was released and I loved it!
When I was little, my favorite gift was a pair of Cabbage PAtch Kids Dolls! I was so excited! I was 5!
Please add me to the drawing, so many wondeful things. Thank you
Oh, for sure, it was the pony I got for my 7th Christmas. Her name was Shirley. And wow. She was MEAN! Ha!!
My son one year really wanted to get me a cuckoo clock. He went out with his dad and searched high and low for one. He was so excited to give it to me. One time, he actually slipped and told me what it was. I, of course, pretended not to let on that I knew. I still have that cuckoo clock and still love it. It was the biggest and best one, according to my son. So sweet that he was so excited about the giving of the gift.
Other favorites are the ones that the kids make or buy at their school secret santa shops too.
Thanks for a chance to win any of these great prizes.
My favorite Christmas gift was a memory book my husband made for me on our first Christmas after we got married. He drove all over & took pictures of all the different places that were meaningful to us. He basically wrote down and documented our love story. It was the sweetest gift I had ever received. :) He’s a keeper!
My kindle, got me motivated to read more books.
When I was ten I wanted a piano. My parents didn’t have the money (or the space) for a piano. I found an accordian under the tree instead. I was disappointed at first. But, I took lessons and in just a few months won a state competition in my age group. It started me on a life long musical journey and now I also play the clarinet, the oboe, the flute, the piano (!), and am learning the violin. It was a priceless gift even if I didn’t know it at the time!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
When I was in 8th grade, mohair sweaters were all the rage. We didn’t have much money and I knew I could never actually have one, but one Christmas I opened a present to find the most beautiful pink mohair sweater. I knew my mother must have really scrimped to buy it for me. The sweater was lovely, but I was even more touched by the love of my mother.
My dad gave me my first camera, and started a lifelong love.
My favorite holiday gift is always a book. I love books so much and have never met a book I didn’t like.
One year, when I was in high school, I mentioned to my dad that I liked a certain leather jacket while we were shopping at the mall. I never expected the jacket to show up under the tree that year. But I got the biggest surprise when I opened the gift that contained that very jacket. I was so happy and wore that jacket for years afterward until the lining started to get torn. Loved it!
My favorit holiday gift I have received… that’s a hard one, but I think that it is the doll house my grandfather made for me when I was about 6 years old.
My parents gave us the gift of amazing Christmas trees every year. We would drive together to the mountains to choose a tree. Their living room had a two story vaulted ceiling and we would always get a tree that touched the top, sometimes requiring more than 50 strings of lights! People would walk in the door and their jaws would drop with wonder at the amazing tree. One year I was away from home for Christmas in a place far away without any family. My parents mailed me a small artificial tree. While it was just a shadow of the tree at home it meant so much to me that they wanted me to have a tree. I kept that little tree for many years.
A couple of years ago my daughters were shopping at a craft show and found me a handcarved cameo necklace and were so excited about choosing t he setting for it and giving it to me at Christmas. I was so touched they remembered a passing comment about how I loved cameos. This one is so unique and beautiful. I love those girls!
Definitely my first good camera, a Canon 35mm. I finally upgraded to a dSLR when the 35mm bit the dust.
I accidentally answered this question on post seven (oops!) so I guess I’ll answer the other question here. I’ve really liked most of the gifts that I’ve been able to give people so it’s kind of hard for me to say which was my favorite to give. Perhaps my favorites have been the ones I’ve seen at a thrift store (for example, I found a good CD and a VERY pretty necklace for someone this year) for the perfect price!
Hi, Thank you for your part of the 12 days of Holiday giveaways. I have to say the best gift I have ever received was a sterling silver ring with an eagle engraved on it. Why is it the best, my partners mother gave it to me, it is the first gift of worth I received from her that was about 8 years ago. Thank you for a wonderful giveaway and Happy Holiday to You and Yours.
I am a true child of the 80s…my Mom braved the mayhem of the Cabbage Patch Kid craze and got one for me and each of my sisters. We loved those dolls so much – and now all these years later I can totally appreciate what she went through. I would so do that for one of my boys if there was something they wanted THAT much. Thanks for the chance!
My husband gave me a very special gift 6 years ago. But because it was a big gift it was for my anniversary, my birthday (dec 19) and for Christmas. He took me to Paris to celebrate not only Christmas but to ring the new year in the Eiffel Tower. We went to mass at Notre Dame Cathedral and enjoy this beautiful city during the holiday season. Nothing will top that one but I’ll always have those memories.
best regards,
Wanda
The best gift I received was when I was a child my dad got me my first bicycle. He was so excited for me to see it that he woke me up and took me in the living room and sat me on the bike. i was sooooo sleepy and didn’t give him the reaction he was hoping for, so he took me back to bed. When I got up later Christmas morning and saw the bicycle I was just overjoyed and didn’t even remember much about Dad waking me up earlier. I loved that bike and rode it all over the neighborhood for years. I still have such loving memories of that Christmas and of my dad who is no longer alive.
Our first christmas together my husband bought me a brand new set of pots and pans – I love to cook so the pans were awesome!
One time my hubby took me to a weekend in Amish country and to a fabulous fabric store with $$ to spend any way I wanted. Such a wonderful time…
The best holiday gift has to be the first Christmas after our daughter was born — it was 60 degrees and my parents bought her a pink sled. The video we have of her on her sled being pulled by my Dad in the grass with everyone else standing around without coats and bright sunshine is priceless. We live in the Midwest and 60 degrees on Christmas is unheard of. She’s all grown up now and my Dad has passed away, but every Christmas we all remember her first “Green” Christmas!
My favorites are the Christmas ornaments my children made when they were in grade school. After 30 years I still hang them on the tree every year.
My favorite gift was the first year I was married and I couldn’t go home to my ‘family – Mum and Dad.’ But they had surprised me with an amazing gift of all the wedding photos that I wasn’t able to afford. I was stunned and so very excited!
My hubby got me a Singer sewing machine for our first Christmas. It sat in the closet 2 years before i finally took a class. It has turned into my favorite present ever!!!
My favorite holiday gift was my engagement ring! I was completely surprised by it!
Merry Christmas!
Lori
Favorite holiday gift is my new sewing machine. I picked it out myself and it is a Juki Exceed. I haven’t had a new machine since the 90′s, so I am THRILLED.
Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Linda
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com/
My son, when he was in daycare (over 10 years ago) made a Christmas ornament with his picture in it. The daycare provider had him dressed in angel wings and a halo! This has become a keepsake and it on my tree every year! It’s my favourite because it takes me back to a time of innocence.
One of my favorite holiday gifts I received was a doll. I was about 3 or four years old when I got her. I named her Lisa. At one point the had lost all of her hair except a little sprout on top where I had it pulled up in a pony tail. They her body was wore out so my mom did a body transplant on her. She took the head off of one of my other less loved dolls and put Lisa’s head on that body.
My favorite holiday gift would be the gorgeous quilt my mother in law made for us
My favorite gift was a guitar from my dad, who is a musician!
My favorite holiday gift was a blue plastic typewriter that I got when I was six years old. I wanted to be an author and just remember feeling like anything was possible when I unwrapped it.
Wow, I think the best holiday gift I EVER got was last year. My Husband and I have always worked full time and been fortunate to have enough income to support our family, but last year a few weeks before Christmas I was laid off from my job and a few months before that my husband was diagnosed with a medical condition that caused him to be out of work for almost 3 months. My friends and family all pitched in to give our 2 year old son a spectacular Christmas. That was the best gift I could ever ask for!
Two years ago my family surprised me with a Cricut machine. I could not believe that they would buy it because it was quite expensive. I love it, I make cards, cut outs for my son-in-law’s kindergarten class and appliqué shapes for sewing.
My most favourite, cherished and best used gift would have to be my Viking Sapphire sewing machine! I use it almost every day and absolutely LOVE IT! My husband gave it to me last Christmas (it was #1 on my wish list) and I have been sewing up a storm since I got it!
One holiday gift I received was a framed picture of me and Georgia Bonesteel who is a famous quilter. My husband enlarged the photo and framed it himself. It hangs in my sewing room.
I received a very special gift from the teacher of the 2nd grade class where I help out – it is a framed photo of all the children in the class – they are wonderful and fun to be around.
Thanks,
Peggy
In 5th grade Santa gave me a bird, Bert. I loved him and have always wanted another one.
I got the ipad2 this year (hubby let me have it early) I have wanted one forever
My favorite Christmas gift I’ve received is a retro-looking combination record player/radio/cd player. Getting a second record player enabled me to listen to my vinyl collection outside my room and it’s a gift that everyone can enjoy.
New Year’s in a holiday yes?!?! My husband proposed to me on New Years Day 2009 so that is definitely the best gift to date!
My first grandson! He came right before Christmas and was such a joy to cuddle with.
My favorite holiday gift was given to me by my mom and stepfather. It was a necklace and earring set by Elle. They were heart shaped with a pearl center. I work as a Pediatric Cardiac ICU nurse and the jewelry is really meaningful to me.
The first year we were married my husband surprised me with a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. After baking Christmas cookies that year using a hand mixer, it was a thrill to get it! It’s still going strong 25 years later and my husband has enjoyed MANY cookies made with it.
When I was a teenager I sent a letter to Santa Claus requesting a man for Christmas. I was only half jesting when II wrote my letter that year and put it under the tree. I graduated high school, went to college, and became a nurse. When I was 24 I became engaged in the fall. It would be my last Christmas at home that year, and I decided to be silly with my parents. I asked them over and over ‘is Santa still going to fill up my stocking’. My mother smiled and said ‘of course’. I made both her and my father reassure me multiple times.
What they didn’t know is that I had found a practically 5 foot tall stocking I planned to put out after then went to bed on Christmas eve. Christmas eve I put out my massive stocking and went to bed. When I woke up in the morning, the letter I had sent to Santa a decade ago (regarding a man) was pinned to the stocking with another note with the word DELIVERED written across it.
My mom bested me. I had forgotten I had ever written that letter, but I was so thrilled she not only saved it, but remembered to pull it out all these years later.
One year my hubby put a huge, heavy package under the tree. I was soooooo worried that he was giving me a new sewing machine as I could just imagine what he’d pick out! It was a sauna stove! And he proceeded to build me a sauna in our basement – something I dreamed of but never thought I’d have! Best gift ever!
The best gift I have ever received…. that is tough. I got married a week before Christmas, and we went to Disney World. This was the beginning of my infatuation with Disney, and that trip, my honeymoon, was the best gift ever. I am hoping soon a future trip will be wrapped up for me :)
loved the pyjamas I got when I was 14..so warm and cozy.
My husband gave me an Accuquilt Go! It was a great gift.
Hard to say, I have received a lot I have liked. My husband often gets me for Christmas celtic jewelry that I always love.
A wood pencil box that belonged to my grandma when she was a young girl. I admired it when I was young and wondered why she didn’t give it to me when I had hinted around at it’s beauty!
It was hard being patient for the beautiful pencil box, but well worth the wait!
A Christmas table runner. It set the tone for the whole year for me. thanks, kathy
MANY years ago, my parents gave me an American Girl Doll (Samantha). All of my friends had been getting Kirsten and I loved having a different one from the group.
Pictures drawn by my grandkids. Because the pictures are wonderful and my grandkids are so delighted with themselves for giving.
My favorite holiday gift has to be my new laptop, it is so wonderful and my husband got it for me!
A small porcelain doll when I was a young girl. I still have it here on my desk.
A pair of white plastic snakeskin boots (some time ago…!) I thought they were the height of groovy.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve received was a snowman my best friend gave me.
Seeing my children open their presents is the best present for a momma
My favorite *Christmas* present was actually the card the accompanied the present. It was picked out and purchased top secretly by my young daughter who couldn’t read yet. She picked out the most glittery and beautifully colored card her little eyes saw. Even after all these years, my heart still smiles when I see it…with its verse that says “Congratulations on your new baby.”
My husband gave me an ipod several years ago for christmas after riding with me in the car while I changed cd’s. He told me he had just the thing in mind that would help me out so much and might even save my life! I didn’t even know I needed it!
All of the collectible items that my mother found at flea markets for me.
They are old antiques and I cherish them all.
i love the scarf my brother knit me. it’s a scarlet color that makes me think of him, too. its special because of the time he put into it and that it brings up fond memories of us growing up together!
A photo album my grandmother made for me. It had so many great photos of our family that I’d never seen before.
My favorite holiday gift I received was a lovely frame with pictures of my middle boy in it! He was so very proud of himself :)
Pottery barn reindeer dishes
My husband gave me a new camera a few years ago – nothing particularly unique or handmade but special because I’d never mentioned I needed one (although my old one was not doing well!) and he noticed and said my photos were important and I needed to make sure I kept taking good ones!
My favorite holiday gift was from my husband. It was a trip to go visit a friend I hadn’t seen. It was an amazing trip, and I am so blessed to have such a thoughtful husband!
My favorite gift would definitely be a quilted tree skirt my Mom made for our first tree in our new house =)
Not easy to answer…. BUt I think it was the bracelet from the fifties that my love bought for me.
We have always lived far away from our families and the times they have come to visit are the best gifts! Traveling isn’t always easy and it is so expensive, I really appreciate it when they make the trip!
My favorite holiday gift I ever received was my sewing machine from my Mom. I love to sew and it reminds me of her, because she taught me.
My favorite gift I have received for the holidays was a cruise with my parents when my husband and I were first married. It was actually a disaster from beginning to end with lost luggage and family squabbles, but we have been laughing about it for the last 19 years, so it is truly a gift that keeps on giving!
my favorite gift: a box full of craft/art/stamping supplies ;) thanks R ;)
i think my favorite gift was two years ago as my mom bought me Mary Jane’s Farm book. It was the perfect book for me as I just moved from the suburbs of the Chicago area to the country of Kansas. Although i feel out of my comfort zone, I absolutely love it and my mom’s timing really blessed me. She wasn’t always on target with gifts that spoke ” I see you” but this one did. Meeting her at the WWC event sealed the deal!
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When i was 13 my dad gave me a pretty amythest ring. I still love it and cherish it!
The favorite holiday gift that I received is an antique turtle wind-up desk/servant bell. It is an extremely beautiful and hand-crafted item that is engraved and made with several types of metal. And, it still works. The reason it is my favorite is because it carries a lot of meaning for me. The person who gave it to me was a then ex-boyfriend who saw it in his mother’s antique store and remembered that I collected turtles and he gave it to me just because he wanted me to have it. Most people do not put any thought into gift giving and they just buy any old thing, yet here was a man who not only gave me something that was extremely meaningful to me but came with no strings attached.
my favorite holiday gift was given to me by my husband. He surprised me with a trip to Jamaica for a week getaway just after the new year….and the best part is he won the trip for working so hard at his job!
it was an amazing trip we’ll never forget.
These questions are tough :) My favorite gift? Hmmm…I would tell my mom and dad it was the year they surprised me with a telescope. I wanted one SO bad and was insanely excited when I received it. BUT, they decided there was not enough room for it in our house? AND, they took it back to the store and I never even got to use it. They still feel bad about it…and I am still confused even as an almost 30 year old :) So it is my favorite gift, that wasn’t :) lol
My favorite gift I’ve ever received was a doll when I was young. I loved her so much! She grew as I did – from ‘my baby’ to ‘my friend!’
The boots my husband bought me- because he was paying attention to what he heard me say I liked. :) He’s a good man.
Finding out I was pregnant with my daughter ;o)
My Bernina sewing machine. I never had a nice machine before & I love to sew…………
When I was 7 I received a red and white candy cane striped record player. I loved it so much. I still have it and just gave my records and the record player to my girls to use. They are 6 and 8 and are enjoying the disney read along books that I loved too when I was their age. That little record player is 33 years old and still going strong.
My favorite holiday gift is getting new quilting magazines…
The year that my grandmother died right before Christmas was pretty hard. Going through all of her things with the entire extended family was draining. The sisters of my father decided that he should have the diamond wedding ring. Dad gave each of us, my mom, sister and me an empty ring box for Christmas. We each got diamonds from that ring and a new setting. It was a beautiful way to remember grandma and to have her legacy live on.
Enjoy the day!
Erin
My favourite holiday gift is always fabric! So many possibilities…
Thanks for the chance to win some FABULOUS prizes!
My first sewing machine comes to mind. It was the very basic of basic models at the time and it is all we could afford, but I used that machine right up until it finally died. Hubby purchased it for me and I made clothes for me and the kids, gifts etc. I saved alot of money with that machine making as apposed to buying everything….
I’ll never forget the year I received the Barbie Townhouse! It was so big and had so many pieces and I was gaga for Barbie, let me tell you!!
Thanks for the chance!
My favorite gift that I’ve received for Christmas is a toss up between the luxury showerhead that my husband got me last year or the food processor that my in-laws got me two years ago ! Both are things that I really wanted and use on a daily basis.
My husband had a picture of my great grandfather framed and gave it to me. It was a complete surprise. I was so touched.
My favourite Holiday gift that I’ve received is tickets to see my favourite NHL hockey team play. What made the tickets extra special is that there were tickets for my husband and my brother (who are also huge fans!). This led to us getting to spend a day together having fun and sharing in one of our common interests.
My favorite gift was the bike that my parents stayed up all night putting together when I was seven or so.
I think the best gift I ever received was my hope chest (even though it was from my now ex husband) That was 34 years ago, and I still use the chest.
My husband gave me a Sony CD 400 disc player for Christmas one year. He knew how much I liked to have background music as I read and sew, but how much I also hated having to get up and change the cd’s every time they finished playing.
My favorite gift has to be a set of novels my partner gifted me while we were living abroad. The novels themselves aren’t that meaningful, but the fact that he remembered I said I wanted to read them and searched EVERYWHERE for a store that had them means a lot as does the memory of that Christmas abroad.
My favorite holiday gift ever is my pengy blanket. It is a wonderful blue blanket with little holiday penquins scattered on it. It is filled with down, and is the most warm and comfy thing ever. Everytime I wrap up in it, I think of my sister who gave it to me. It is awesome.
Warm slippers from my hubby, because he decided on them himself and they keep me warm.
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My favorite gift was a pink bracelet my mom bought me for Christmas. I wear it all the time.
the canon rebel dslr!!!!!!!
My favourite gift I received was a shopping spree from my local sewing megastore from my parents in law – talk about feeding an addiciton – teehee :)
Marilize
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When I was a little girl and wanted to be a fairy-ballerina-princess when I grew up, my sister got me a pink and white polyesther slinky nightgown. I thought I was SO GLAMOUROUS and wanted to wear it everywhere I went!!!
When I was 4 years old I got a “Zippy the Monkey” He was so darn awesome. That is until my sister got mad at me one day and bit off the banana he had in his hand. Poor Zippy was never the same after that. But in retrospect, sis was probably mad that I cut her doll’s hair to match the haircut I gave myself. OMGosh, I am laughing so hard, I haven’t thought about that in years.
My favorite holiday gift was the bracelet my hubby gave me the first Christmas we were dating. he was so nervous about whether I would like it!
Fav holiday gift I have been given? Again there are so many to chose from so one of my fav gifts from the holidays was a photo album book my oldest niece made for all of us. Love modern technology that lets her produce one book and give us all copies!
One of my favorite holiday giftsI received was from my sister, it was work table for my crafting and art work. I needed more room to create and I was just thrilled to receive it.
The best gift ever – two of my children have December birthdays and one is the end of November. This year we have another (though he was back in July). there’s nothing better than having a new baby to enjoy at Christmas! I couldn’t ask for a better gift than that :)
When my parents gave me a DSLR camera about 4 years ago, I was so shocked and surprised I actually cried!
Does my daughter count? She arrived just in time for the holidays.
The first thing that comes to mind is the old Nintendo 64 my brother gave me a few years ago. He included a card for “free technical support” with his photo and phone number.
My favorite holiday gift is to be able to travel to spend Christmas with our children and 2 year old granson. For the last 3 years we have been able to spend it with family but not always with both children together so when we can, that would be my favorite…there is not a gift in the world that could top that!
Asking my wife to marry me and her saying yes!
My DH gave me a beautiful necklace with the birthstones of my 3 kids. Thanks and Merry Christmas!
the most favorite gift I recieved was a shawl my mother knitted.
My husband gave me the gift of “dates” last year because we didn’t get to spend enough time together! Sweet!
My favorite handmade gift would be a patriotic quilt I rec’d from my 20-something daughter a few years ago. I had seen it advertised in a Colonial Williamsburg catalog and very expensive. My daughter knew I loved it and copied it exactly and made it for me. It was wonderful and i was totally surprised!
My most favorite holiday gift I have ever received was the first year my daughter was in college and she didn’t have any spending money and she filled a paper with reasons why I was the best mother. It was the sweetest gift ever.
My favorite holiday gift I’ve received was my iPod. My husband bought it for me and I was totally surprised. I use it to play audio books while I work in my studio.
My favorite gift ever was a charm bracelet. I received it for Christmas from my parents and have added to it over the years. When I wear it I remember all the events of my life remembered with each charm.
My favorite gift that I have received was a dog! I don’t think you need to ask why!
A very special necklace given to me by my mother.
My favorite gift was a patchwork Christmas stocking that my sis made for me. She had vision issues and she spent a lot of time making it!
6th day. I’m in wonderful company with these ladies who are so generous with their goods. Hope I am lucky enough to win.
My first sewing machine, It was a Holly Hobbie machine that I hauled everywhere. It started me on the path that I love, in fact we just finished 70 baby blankets in my Dad’s memory which is perfect because he gave me the machine!!
Oh, my favorite holiday gift was the year my husband surprised me with Tiffany jewelry! It wasn’t anything expensive, but sooo sweet! He knows how much I love the movie Breakfast at Tiffanys, and we had visited the store on a vacation but they don’t have any stores here where we live, so he sent away for a catalog. It meant a lot to me that he went to tall that trouble!