All men and women may be created equal, but let’s face it…all Christmas presents certainly are not. Whether Christmas morning brings unimaginable delight, disappointment, or just plain confusion, at least one surprise is bound to happen each year. With that in mind, we asked Keys residents for Santa’s highlights (and lowlights) from gifts throughout the years.
CLAUDIA MCEWEN
My husband Jim was working in Grand Cayman, so I flew home several days ahead of his planned travel. Instead, he made a stop in Marathon, and when we got back from our trip north, I had a full L-shaped wall unit for all of my books. He and a friend had built it in the two days before he flew north. It was amazing.
ANDREW WEAVER
“It was a really sentimental gift for me. I play the guitar, and so my dad got me a brand new guitar pick. But on the pick it read ‘I could not have picked a better son.’ It is a gift I will always remember.”
TRINITY JACOX
It was when the Among Us games had just come out and were very popular. I had mentioned the game a few times to my mom, and so for Christmas she got me Among Us earrings. Apparently she thought I had become a gamer girl, which was not the case.
SHILO YIDER
Last year for Christmas my grandpa got me a math book. It was a thoughtful gift considering it could help better educate me, but the book was for 3rd graders and I am an 8th grader.
JAZMARY SANTIAGO
One year for Christmas I got a pit bull puppy. I named it Benji. I had wanted one for years so my Christmas wish finally came true.
SARAH BRIGNAC
Rachel Bowman knew how much I love Clydesdale horses, and I was always asking her if Adolphus Busch could get me in to see them. So one Christmas, I came home to something in my driveway. Apparently it was a cardboard Clydesdale display at Winn-Dixie, and Rachel bribed one of the employees to sell it to her, put it together and set it up with lights in my driveway. She said the best part was seeing her boyfriend and his brother walking down the street, realizing my car was still there, and turning back around and running so I didn’t see them.
ASHLEY WATSON
I got a five-pound can of green beans from my grandma once. As all of my siblings and cousins opened fun gifts, I got a can of beans … all because I had said once that they were my favorite vegetable. P.S. Of course, I ate the whole can.
ALISON GARCIA
I got the same worst gift twice! And to top it off, it was on the same Christmas. Two of my great aunts happened to give me the same ugly sweater. I guess I must just look like someone who likes ugly sweaters.
ESMERALDA PRIETO
It was when I was 5 years old. I got a toy horse drawn carriage. I was in love with Barbie dolls. So the world of my love for horses and Barbies finally came together.
