You know that photo of you as a grinning, snaggletoothed five-year-old, framed by the Popsicle sticks you so carefully embellished with dried macaroni and glitter? Well, it holds a very special spot in your parents’ Most Meaningful Gifts Hall of Fame. The range of letters from Real Simple readers shows that the best presents — from the handmade and imperfect to the store-bought and extravagant — come in all shapes, sizes, and guises, including Popsicle-stick frames.

This Month’s Winner

Forget Me Not
I met my birth father for the first time when I was in my early 20s. He gave me a small, perfectly smooth silver disk. He had tears in his eyes as he explained that disk was actually a quarter he had carried in his pocket ever since the day I was born. The coin’s design had slowly worn away after nearly 25 years of constant handling. It was his way of always remembering his little girl.
Kimberlie Nitti
Calabasas, California
Kimberlie will receive a copy of Real Simple Celebrations.

Generous Souls

I’m thankful for the gift of a second chance with a friend. We had had a silly argument, and I missed her terribly. I waited until Christmas Eve, relying on her Catholic guilt to keep her from hanging up the phone. It was a short conversation, very polite. After hanging up, I wasn’t sure she’d ever contact me again. Moments later the phone rang, and there she was, laughing: She knew I had waited for that moment because of the “CG.” We’ve been there for each other ever since — over 20 years.
Leslie Bauer
Bridgeport, Connecticut

As an elementary-school teacher, I’ve received more than my share of gifts over the years. But the ones I love most are those obviously selected by my students. I’ve received many dog items, a cracked parrot clock, and even a box of “pretasted” chocolates. I love presents wrapped in old shoe boxes sealed with masking tape and covered with stickers. When a child holds out a gift with that “I did it all by myself” look, it’s filled with pure love, and there’s nothing better than that.
Jennifer Liebi-Zelazny
Los Angeles, California

On a cold morning in late January 1991, I returned to work after maternity leave, dropping my new son off at the home of a babysitter. I drove to work with a heavy heart. The following Christmas, I found a bevy of gifts for him and one for me from Debbie, the sitter. Throughout the year, Debbie had taken the time to make a videotape of everyday moments of my son doing the things that babies do and working mothers don’t always get to see and enjoy. Fifteen years later, I still get teary-eyed when I think of it.
Heidi Wheeler
Cypress, Texas