When I was seven years old, I ran out to the tree on Christmas morning to find a Tortoise in an aquarium for me. We already had two cats with my parents promising me we wouldn't expand for awhile so the Tortoise came as a complete shock.

I remember the moment after I saw it, I turned to my 9-year-old Sister to see if she would get any stake in this gift. She didn't like reptiles in anyway but I did, I loved all things that crawled, all animals I could find and all pets that I could hold. However, we were 2-years-apart and always endured similar gifts or sharing gifts so I figured part of this must belong to her as well, to get a Tortoise all to myself was just too good.
"Sweetie, that's yours," Mom said.
"Just for me?"
"Just for you."
I've had many Christmas gifts in my life but without a doubt, the gift of my own Tortoise stands out as the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten. Santa seemed to take into account the sheer joy I would get from having my very own pet and I appreciated that Santa disregarded his reservations about bringing another living animal into the home... not to mention, it felt so special to know that Santa knew me SO well to give me such a gift.
I had Pinkie (as I called him) for 6 years after that and forever am grateful for my experience with the little guy: he was just mine.
It also left me with an indelible fondness for kitschy Turtle items:

Anthropologie Tortoise Placeholders

Turtle slippers

Tortoise Lamps (I love these, I have 2)

Urban Outfitters Tortoise pendents

Tortoise Ring
The gift of the Tortoise went along with all of the good that comes from giving.
I hope all of you today get a chance to feel that special or share that joy with someone else.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
What was the best present you've ever received?
ps- Shanin, your parents' living room Tortoise is by far my favorite kitschy item and will forever be!


I remember the moment after I saw it, I turned to my 9-year-old Sister to see if she would get any stake in this gift. She didn't like reptiles in anyway but I did, I loved all things that crawled, all animals I could find and all pets that I could hold. However, we were 2-years-apart and always endured similar gifts or sharing gifts so I figured part of this must belong to her as well, to get a Tortoise all to myself was just too good.
"Sweetie, that's yours," Mom said.
"Just for me?"
"Just for you."
I've had many Christmas gifts in my life but without a doubt, the gift of my own Tortoise stands out as the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten. Santa seemed to take into account the sheer joy I would get from having my very own pet and I appreciated that Santa disregarded his reservations about bringing another living animal into the home... not to mention, it felt so special to know that Santa knew me SO well to give me such a gift.
I had Pinkie (as I called him) for 6 years after that and forever am grateful for my experience with the little guy: he was just mine.
It also left me with an indelible fondness for kitschy Turtle items:
Anthropologie Tortoise Placeholders
Turtle slippers
Tortoise Lamps (I love these, I have 2)

Urban Outfitters Tortoise pendents

Tortoise Ring
The gift of the Tortoise went along with all of the good that comes from giving.
I hope all of you today get a chance to feel that special or share that joy with someone else.
Merry, Merry Christmas!
What was the best present you've ever received?
ps- Shanin, your parents' living room Tortoise is by far my favorite kitschy item and will forever be!

13 comments:
I can't remember my favorite gifts from when I was little. I would have to ask my mom. However, my favorite would be my engagement ring (not really a present). A wonderful surprise though! I got engaged on Christmas Eve.
My Mom was the best gift when she surprised me here,in Spain few weeks ago...:)
...but for Christmas...a vakacion trip from my husband...
Merry Christmas!!!
awww, i LOVE this! so precious! "just for you" i love that!!!
wow what a gift! i never would have ever even thought to ask for a turtle... how cute!
merry christmas caitlin!
xx
That Santa... really gets it right sometimes. How does he know?
I adore this turtle photo!! And totally love this beautiful Xmas story :)
Omg such a sweet story. I hope you got something equally special for Christmas this year :)
I love this post. Best I've ever received? The IPad I'm typing this on comes pretty close, but the best has to be the "Mothers" ring I received after my first son was born. Hope you had a Merry Christmas lady!
That is so cute!! love the tortoise ring
xoxo
Miss Neira
i like tuwtles
so sweet, what a great memory.
ha! LOL at the comment above. your turtle totally reminded me of the same thing...the i love turtles zombie boy. you've seen it, i'm sure.
anyway, very cute story. my best gift so far has to be my dslr camera. love that thing.
What a precious story and turtle. Love the name Pinkie! I hope you had a lovely Christmas...best present?! This year spending it with BK!
I adore Turtle and tortoises! I wanted one so badly but alas my parents always said no (they thought they carried diseases...boo)
I've always collected turtle related things! Love this post!
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