In recent days, my husband was reminiscing and shared with me one of his fondest memories of Christmas during his childhood. He talked about a simple inexpensive gift he and his siblings received every year as children that he so looked forward to.
It was a paper bag filled with a giant peppermint stick, shiny red apples, California navel oranges and nuts.
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“We knew it was Christmas. Our parents were giving to us what they had, not that we didn’t get toys, we just didn’t get a lot of toys,” Mike Knowles shared. “It was a symbol. We were going to have a big dinner. My older sister was going to be home. We were going to sing. It was a symbol of the season, the Christmas spirit, everything that came with it.”
That gave me the idea to write this Christmas column asking individuals I’ve interviewed or worked with the past few years what have been some of their most treasured and memorable Christmas gifts. If you’re trying to figure out what presents to get loved ones as the holiday quickly approaches, perhaps you can find joy or inspiration in these stories.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller — “One of my most treasured items is a handmade robe from my great grandmother, Dedo. She gave it to me when I was about 10 years old. She was a great seamstress and made the robe from different pieces of material that were in my room or part of clothing. It is a patchwork robe, and the main feature on it are two puppies that were (pictured on) curtains in my bedroom when I was a baby. Although I really did not appreciate the level of detail in that robe when I received it, I did absolutely love it and remember wearing it even though it was way too big! I still have that robe and treasure it for the masterpiece that it is.”
Ansel Johnson, optometrist, founder and director of Blue Island-based Vision Salon Eye Care Associates — “My most memorable gifts are for simple things that enhance my day to day. I am very busy, and I needed socks because a few of mine had holes in them. So, two years ago, a staff member got me some socks. I had not told anyone I needed socks, so I was grateful.
“As I have gotten older, I appreciate more than any gift cards or material gift the greeting cards when my wife and kids write personal messages of appreciation and love. I hold onto those cards every season as they are my most cherished gifts. Most husbands and dads that work hard and grind everyday just want to be appreciated, and those personal notes in the Christmas cards go a long way.
“My third most grateful gift is the gift of presence or being around your loved ones. My mom will be 92 years old in a few days, and my most memorable moments of ‘presence’ was when my wife organized her 90th birthday party and relatives from all over the country came. For her 91st her town had a small parade of police and fire trucks go past her house. Her smile and joy were priceless.”
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, a Democrat from Matteson — “When my son was younger, he drew a beautiful picture of us. I was so touched. It is hanging in my Washington, D.C. apartment.
“One year my husband, Nate, had been ill around the holiday season, so I didn’t have high expectations, which was fine. To my shock and great delight, I opened the card, and I had a ticket to ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway. I saw it with the original award-winning cast. I busted out crying. I love the theater.
“My daughter has given me beautiful gifts over the years, but it is her cards that have touched my heart.”
Zion Banks, manager, media and external relations, Governors State University — “After 16 years at 3731 Ballantrae, we sold our home in Flossmoor at the height of the pandemic. It was the fall of 2020, and the new family wanted to celebrate Christmas in ‘their’ new home. That meant me, my husband, and our three girls had to pack up nearly 20 years of memories — spread out over nearly 4,000 square feet — in two weeks!
“Fortunately, I married a work horse who methodically packed and relocated us so we met the tight deadline. While it is my hope that the new family enjoyed a warm and wonderful Christmas celebration in the space where we’d hosted holiday meals, ornament exchanges and watch parties, my family was crammed into a 1,300-square-foot ranch in an unfamiliar neighborhood on the other side of town. It may as well have been a different state.
“On Christmas morning, as we all gathered around the tree to open our gifts, I steeled myself against a sadness that I was sure would consume me in this strange new circumstance. Instead, I was overwhelmed by an entirely different emotion.
“I was awash with gratitude as I watched my girls crack jokes about ‘mom’s classic Christmas’ gifts (socks) and devoured dad’s famous rice pudding while the movie ‘Elf’ blared in the back ground.
“The five of us had managed to fill every crevice of this small space with the silliness, joy and laughter that has come to define this wacky bunch of Bankses. This was a celebration in and of itself. Looking back, I can think of no better example that illustrates the adage, home is where the heart is. Family sets the rhythm that makes my heart beat now and always. That became clear in 2020. As uncertainty rocked our world, I was thankful at Christmas for the consistent gift of family, an intangible treasure more valuable than any new shiny jewel.”
Dr. Lisa Green, CEO of Harvey-based Family Christian Health Center — “One of my best Christmases was when I was six years old. My dad worked as a bus driver for the CTA. He always worked double shifts and was never home for Christmas. We would drive to his job and take him dinner. My dad ended up being off that day because he had gotten a promotion. That Christmas morning, to wake up and have my dad there with us, it was amazing.”
Personal memories
As for me, one of the most cherished gifts I’ve received is a small flip photo album my brother and sister-in-law gave Mike and I many years ago. It sits on a wood-like base and has the word Family etched on the cover. When I flipped back the cover, it revealed precious photos from happy times at various family gatherings. My favorite shots are of my then toddler niece and great-nephew asleep on the couch, my mom smiling at them in delight as she ushered them into the house, and of my aunt slow dancing.
Another most treasured gift is one I received from Mike. My mom died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2016 the Monday after Thanksgiving. It was an extremely painful period in my life. That year for Christmas as my thoughtful, loving husband gave me my gift, he held my hands, looked me in the eyes and gently told me my mom will always be with me because she will always be in my heart. He handed me a jewelry box, and inside was a beautiful silver necklace with a pendant — a heart within a heart.
Both gifts brought tears of appreciation and joy to my eyes. For me, those gifts are priceless.
To all our readers and your loved ones, I wish you a memorable, treasured and priceless holiday season!
Francine Knowles is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
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