The best gift...
One of the best things about Christmas gifts growing up was the element of surprise. We never had a clue what might be waiting under the tree and with ten in the household and all of us buying for each other, there was a multitude under the tree on the morning of each December 25th. I still hold true to that concept, not resorting to the "lists" that many now devise. I still somehow relish the idea of surprising someone with something they might not even need, rather than presenting them with something they expect. It's just more fun.
Perhaps the most memorable Christmas gift when I was young came in a wrapped box that was considerably larger than today's DVD players, larger still than a VCR box. I was awakened by the annual early call that Santa had visited in the night (a routine we seemed to follow way too many years past the youngest believing). The wrapped box bore two name...mine and that of my just-older sister's, which meant we were both required to tear it open as my proud parents sat back and watched the excitement unfold. It was a GE record player in a hinged box, red lid, white bottom. It played 33s and with the insertion of a little plastic disc, an adaptor if you will, the size of a poker chip having a hole at the center, it also played 45s. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen and as if that wasn't enough, it had an AM radio built in! Heaven! The concept was that since my sister and I shared a room, we'd also share this rare gift. Worked for us, as did the record player for years to come. We tuned in WLS, listening to Dick Biondi late at night, against our parents' better judgment and grooved to the tunes of Neil Sedaka, the Supremes and Connie Francis. The Beatles, Santana and Joe Cocker would later take their place and on a much more sophisticated system, I'm sure. I don't recall which of us was bequeathed the red and white GE once we were granted our own rooms (there was great joy when an elder married off...it meant another bedroom came on the market). We likely had advanced to an FM radio by then, but they must not have had quite the impact that the red and white record player did. Wish I had it today. It's probably worth a fortune, but I wouldn't take anything for it...unless perhaps it was something chocolate.
And what was YOUR favorite Christmas gift?
Minnie o'
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Minnie is alive and well...and shall report to duty manana with a holiday "recap." In the meantime...Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight. (and watch out for those hunky monkeys in the pink shirts...stay tuned).