Holiday presents come around once a year, but memories of the best ones last a lifetime. Picture the thing you want most for the holidays, how would it make you feel to get it? Most likely you would be filled with happiness and never forget your reaction when you open it right? What if you didn't get it? Maybe as a kid you already got what you wanted and you can still remember the moment you realized what it was. Or has your perspective on presents changed throughout time? 

As we get older we tend to value find appreciation in more of who were with and the time spent with them or by them. Us as people have the choice to give memories or give presents, but either way we cannot take things for granted, as we must be grateful for what we have. 

An Unforgettable Morning

Do you remember being in elementary school making ornaments or gingerbread houses to take home to your parents? Masashi surely does. Masashi Ashima, an 8th grade student at University Preparatory, can remember a loving time with his family at the age of 5. When interviewed with the question, " What is a holiday memory you remember most?" Masashi responded with the story of Christmas Morning. Waking up excitedly, Masashi got up and dressed to go outside and play in the snow with his sister. While playing in the snow him and his sister were making snow angels and snowmen. When coming back in from the cold, Masashi could see both of his Christmas trees filled with ornaments that him and his sister had made a couple days back during school. Getting ready to open presents his mother makes wait, as in she had something to say. 

Further investigating, we asked " Do you remember what your mom said and how you felt?". Masashi answered immediately with, " Yea, my mom was telling me and my sister that Santa was not real. I wasn't too upset because i just didn't want to be lied to. I'm kind of glad that she told me." To be five years old and just continue on opening presents after getting told the truth about where they came from can result in many different outcomes. Luckily Masashi wasn't too bothered about it as he did not want to be lied to. 

Those Special Times

Victoria Duardo Lopez, a University Preparatory High School Sophomore, was asked about a gift she received as a child. "What was one thing you wanted as a kid?". When Victoria was a younger kid she really wanted a monster high doll, specifically Draculara, as it seemed  like a really cool toy to have. Unfortunately, Victoria was not able to get it. Instead what she got as a present was a bike in her favorite color, pink! Being very happy with her bike and being able to ride around her neighborhood was a fun time and great memory for her. Though, does her favorite present have to be an object?

Once Victoria got older she started to realize the importance of her family since they lived so far. Our audio recorder did not catch this bit as we had thought our questions were over, until the moment we were about to walk away, another question came into mind. Victoria was asked " Whats the most special present you've received? ". "It doesn't have to be a present, just my family and I spending time together cooking or just overall being together since I don't get to see them much because they live so far away and it takes them a long time to get here.". Family is really important to Victoria since it brings her happiness and better memories than an object as she gets to spend her time with the ones she loves most.

Made with Love!

When giving a present to somebody, it can be hard to decide on one thing, and it can also be expensive. Presents do not always have to be bought or expensive. You can simply make something for the person you are gifting with something that you have just lying around and it can still have a meaning.

Dahlia Rivera, A University Preparatory High School Senior, explains about a gift she made for a friend of hers. When asked " What is the most meaningful present to give someone?", Dahlia responded with, a handmade gift. Having made one before and seeing the reaction on her friends face brought her joy. Dahlia had made her friend a card that had meaningful writing that only they would know the meaning behind.

When further Interviewed with the question, "Why a Homemade gift?", Dahlias answer was so sweet and heart-warming. She responded with "Handmade gifts show someone the time you put into them and you can do whatever you want with it." When you show someone that you spent your time do to something for them, it shows them in a way that you really care for them  by putting in the effort rather than if you just went to buy something last minute. 

A Tradition Passed On

Christmas is a holiday that comes by every year, making it a tradition for those who celebrate and have the jolly spirit. Some people celebrate it in different ways due to cultural differences, for example Hanukkah. Other people may have their own traditions or not celebrate at all! A tradition is a custom or belief that is celebrated yearly and has many different parts to it.

Karina Banuelos, a Counselor at University Preparatory, has a tradition of her own that she shares within her family. When asked "What is the most memorable holiday memory?", Mrs. Banuelos responded with " spending the holidays with my family and making our traditional tamales.". For Mrs. Banuelos her tradition consists of making tamales and enjoying family time on December 24th rather than on the 25th. Her and her family enjoy eating beef tamales, but making them is a struggle.

To make the tamales Mrs. Banuelos has to get up early in the morning to prepare the stove and all the Oja that goes around the tamales, along with the meat. Luckily with the help of her family this tends to go by slighter faster since there are more working hands. This tradition is celebrated at her house with family from all over coming to visit. As this event happens Christmas Eve night, Mrs. Banuelos tend to appreciate her family and love them more than the presents that she receives. 

Its safe to say, the older we get, the more experienced we are with life and more aware with whats around us. The best presents that last a lifetime of memories is the time that is spent during those presents. Though it is always fun to get what we want, having the presence of someone you love and you feel loves you to can be better than any present in the world. It is for you to decide, Meaningful Presents, or Meaningful Presence?