The Great Christmas Gift Idea Collection

If you need a great Christmas gift idea, take a look at these from people all over the world who share the most unique Christmas gifts they have given and received. Thanks to everyone who has contributed these fabulously creative Christmas gift ideas!

Out of my whole childhood, one present really stands out. It was partly an experience gift (my favorite) and partly cash (my second favorite) from my Grandpa Fischer. He bravely told all of my brothers and sisters and me (there were six at that time) that he would take us to Walgreens and let us each spend five dollars on anything we wanted.

Five dollars doesn't sound like much now, but we almost never had spending money and this was a little like winning the lotto for us! Grandpa, who was not known for his patience, drove us to the drug store and for at least an hour answered all our questions like, "If I buy this, how much will I have left over?" and "What if we put our money together to buy this - will we have enough?"

I can't remember what I bought that day, but I cherish a vivid picture of Grandpa standing at the end of a row of toys smiling, trying to watch us all at the same time. As Emerson said, "The only gift is a portion of thyself."