Area residents share best, worst Christmas gifts
The Christmas season is always a special time with special memories.
Each week until Christmas, the Marion County Record will gather your thoughts on the upcoming holidays. One question per week will be posed to various community members.
This week's question is:
What is the best or worst Christmas present you've received?
Best presents
Rosalie Schmidtberger, retired Marion resident:
"The best Christmas present I received was from my husband, Charles. As a kid, I had always wanted an electric train set but knew my parents couldn't afford it for me. So one year, my husband bought two, old electric trains for me. I was really surprised."
Alona Hedstrom, homemaker, Lincolnville:
"My parents were poor when I was growing up. One Christmas when I was about six years old, an uncle and aunt came to visit. I was distracted to the barn, and when I returned to the house, there were gifts, and I received a doll. I'll never forget it."
Brenda and David McGinness, owners of McGillicuddy's and Kraft Korner, Marion:
"The best gift we've received as a couple has to be a night at a bed and breakfast in Wichita. It's something that we would never have done for ourselves which made it special."
Alice Gordon, Hoppy Line employee, Marion:
"I received a beautiful mother's ring from my husband Tod. It was special because it was from him and he picked it out."
Crystal Hicks, Western Associates employee, Marion:
"When I was a kid, I received a 10-speed bicycle. It was unexpected which made it the best."
Martha Melcher, senior citizen, Tampa:
"My Instamatic Polaroid camera. I take it with me everywhere I go and have a lot of fun with it."
Faye Makovec, register of deeds, Marion:
"The best Christmases are getting together with the family."
Betty Beneke, retired homemaker, Lincolnville:
"My best gift has to be my family and my husband of 52 years."
Worst presents
When people were asked about the worst Christmas present they've ever received, most were unable to think of one. However, some shared memorable Christmas presents.
Rachelle Jirak, Centre High School senior, Ramona:
"When I was five years old, an uncle gave me a big present. It was the biggest one of all and it contained a box filled with dirty clothes. I cried and cried until he brought a new three-wheel bike."
Steven Hageberg, 16, Burdick:
"My worst gift was a jug of water."
His grandmother, Marilyn Hageberg, explained that she had bought him a compact disc holder containing two long tubes to be filled with distilled water to create a bubble light. She wrapped the water and later brought out the actual gift.
Marilyn said she likes to have fun at Christmas time. She plays tricks on her family. For example, if they leave things behind after previous visits, she wraps the items and puts them under the tree.
"That's how I get them to take their things home," she said.
David Brazil, Marion County Sanitarian, Peabody:
"Forget the presents. It's all about the food!"
