Holiday Memories: Readers Recall Thanksgivings, Hanukkahs, And Christmases Past

The holidays obviously mean a variety of things to different people, from the religious significance they have for many of us to the simple enjoyment of preparing and sharing a great meal, choosing the gift for your sister that says, "See, I don't always re-gift," or just spending time with the people who matter most to you.

With that in mind, we recently asked readers, as part of our Pottery Barn Holiday Entertaining Giveaway (there's still time to enter -- click here for details), to tell us about the most memorable holiday gathering they've ever hosted. I'm not sure what we were expecting -- Christmas or Hanukkah proposal stories (which are still welcome, by the way)? Tales of the times you flambeed your dining room rugs (please tell me someone besides my mother has done that)?

As it turns out, your responses are more moving than anything we could have hoped for. They are deeply personal -- full of love and, in several cases, loss. If you ever needed proof that there is more to the holidays than excessive consumption, you'll find it here.

Here are a few of our favorite responses so far:

Comments

[blondie1530]

03:04 PM on 12/11/2011

ya i don't know why he did it you knew what your husband and his family were about stop please

[Amadahy]

11:27 AM on 11/28/2011

Touching stories. I enjoyed reading these.

My most memorable Christmas from the past 20 years was the year my sister converted to Islam.

She and I had always come together physically and emotionally on Christmases from years past. That year, 1993, I sat quietly in front of my mother's Christmas tree, in relative darkness but with a softly lit tree in front of me, and with gentle holiday music in the background. I remembered with great detail the moments my sister and I shared at Christmas time. I came to terms with what they meant to me and how we may never have such moments again.

Dimmed and emotionally distant by this experience, I spent the Christmas just with my mother and her boyfriend. I didn't know how that would go over.

We went out to eat at a favorite restaurant of ours. I can still recall the location of the table, where we sat, the wine, the food, the warmth of the fire place we sat next to, and their calm easy faces. My mother shared with me her memories of my sister at Christmas and we laughed. I took greater meaning from my time with my mother and her boyfriend that year, drawing strength from it. I felt that I also was giving it.

It was a sad Christmas yes, but there was goodness and beauty in it too which I'll never forget.

[ArmStopper]

04:09 PM on 11/27/2011

Nice!

[syds180turn]

03:52 PM on 11/26/2011

My best Christmas was when I was a little girl and this doll that was hard to get and was sold out every place, was under the tree for Christmas. My Dad looked high and low...but had it for me when we opened presents on Christmas Eve. I later learned that he found the doll in France...paid a fortune to get to me for Christmas. That was dedication and...that was my Dad! Never forgot it and I never will.