By Carla Caldwell
Around Acworth magazine asked senior adults to share a memory about a special childhood Christmas gift or treasured holiday moment. We enjoyed hearing their stories and hope you will enjoy reading them.
Sharon Applin Almon, 63
There were 10 of us. I was about 8 years old and my parents could not afford Christmas gifts, but I remember that I got a baby doll that Christmas. You could change its clothes.
Annise Smith, “21-plus” 
When I was about 5 and growing up in New York, I got a wooden doll house with furniture in all of the rooms and real cloth curtains. It was a special surprise. My parents put it all together themselves. I played with it for about five years.
Jim Caruolo, 73
Lionel trains were a big item when I was a kid. When I was 6 years old I asked for one. My dad was working two jobs and yet my parents put money out for that. I asked them to take it back. I still have it today. It is a prized possession.
Karen Lekan, 64 
When I was 8 or 9, I got a Barbie and case to keep it in. I carried it around everywhere and I played with it for many years. I also remember that every Christmas all the girls in my family made a Polish cookie called Kolacky. We made it with nut filling and apricot.
Phil Kensinger, 95
When I was 6 or 8 everyone had bicycles and I really wanted one, it sure beat walking. My parents got me one and it was stored in the attic until Christmas. It was ideal. I still remember what it looked like. It was blue and white.
Eleanor Kensinger, 91 
I was 17 during World War II and I still believed in Santa Claus. Black shoes with heels were popular and I wanted a pair. We had to ration everything and you couldn’t get many things. We were lucky to have food. For Christmas, I got a pair of brown shoes with heels and they were the ugliest shoes I ever saw. But they fit! I was glad to have them.
Holly Klein, 70
When I was about 5 years old I got two dolls, a Madame Alexander bride doll and a baby doll. My brother got a Lionel train. My brother still has the train and I still have the bride doll. The box she came in finally fell apart, but I keep her in my closet and take her out from time to time and show my daughters.
Carolyn Irwin, 82 
When I was 10 years old my mother was expecting a baby and everyone was focused on that. A package came and my father said it was for my mom and the baby. But it was for me. It was a beautiful skating doll. She looked like Sonja Henie, the Olympic skater. After Christmas, at school, we had a parade of dolls and a contest. She was the prettiest and won. I was so happy.
Diane Kornacki, “over 21”
I love animals. When I was 8, I got my first puppy. I really wanted a puppy and I did not know I was getting one. She was a white Boxer. I couldn’t believe it.
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