The Greatest Gift of All

Sydney Malicse • January 15, 2025

When celebrating the winter holidays, presents are often exchanged to show gratitude, which people generally put a great amount of time and effort into. The question remains, however: what makes a gift meaningful? Gifts may have stories and memories behind them, creating a symbol of a special moment that has passed. Sophomore Sarah Solomon’s favorite gift she has gotten was a dollhouse given by her parents when she was in the fifth grade. It was her favorite gift because it was something she had coveted and was willing to work for. Solomon shares her take on what she thinks about giving and receiving gifts.

“The thing I enjoy most about giving gifts is the feeling of satisfaction when the receiver has a good reaction,” Solomon said “[On the other hand, what] I enjoy most about receiving gifts is that fulfilling feeling of knowing someone thought of me.”

Freshman Lilah Gonzalez always spends Christmas with her family, making and eating lots of food with them. After spending so many Christmases with them throughout her life, she concluded that the most meaningful gift is also one that is the most thoughtful, which sometimes have stories behind them, like inside jokes or memories. When Gonzalez was six-years-old, she and her brother were given an old English sheepdog named Duffy. She and her brother had been asking for a dog for the longest time, so her parents finally gave in and fulfilled their wishes. Gonzalez explains the story behind certain gifts.

“I love gifts because [they provide] something you can always [reminisce] about, [bringing] up a good memory,” Gonzalez said. “For example, when seeing my dog, I will always remember that when I first met her, I knew she was the one.”

Senior Roman Munro has his birthday just four days before Christmas, which means he celebrates them both in the span of a week. He spends the holidays in the comfort of his own home with his family, having a great time. Something that Munro had gotten as a gift was a pair of corduroy pants last year, which had a great impact on him, opening his eyes to a new style that he soon adopted. Munro explains his unpopular opinion on what the most significant holiday gift is.

“Decorations are [the most significant] holiday gift, because I tend not to use [something like a] board game, but a decoration can be up all year round,” Munro said. “You’re constantly getting value out of [these versatile pieces], as well as something like the corduroy pants.”

The most significant holiday gift is not defined by its price tag or size, but by the thought and meaning it carries. Whether it’s the joy of giving, the emotional connection to a special moment or the lasting value of a practical item, each person finds significance in different ways. Ultimately, the best gifts are those that come from the heart, creating lasting memories of the holidays.