Christmas Special: Heartwarming Christmas Moments And Parenting Stories

Christmas is a magical time of the year when people, in all joyousness, spend quality time with family and friends. It is also the season that gives rise to priceless moments and memorable stories over delicious food, entertaining company, and priceless gifts.

Over the years, these stories and parenting moments have been carefully and lovingly preserved only to be remembered time and again with a happy heart. After all, what would Christmas be without these memories?

From a husband who surprises his wife by arriving exactly on the day of Christmas after having been informed that he would not make it to a son who is simply 'over the moon' about receiving the exact guitar his heart had desired, we bring you real-life Christmas moments and parenting stories that are sure to warm the cockles of your heart and wish for your own such 'special' moments.

#Christmas moment 1: A super surprise from the husband

Leandra D'Souza, who works as a copywriter with an ad agency, says that one of her favorite Christmas memories was with her husband, who is in the merchant navy. With her husband out at sea for months on end, Leandra looks forward to their time spent together. Two years back, the two were planning to spend the holiday season together when her crestfallen husband informed her that he would not be able to make it for Christmas.

A dejected Leandra was just putting the finishing touches to the Christmas tree after the call when the doorbell rang. She thought it was her cousin and went to open the door when to her utter surprise it was her husband!

"I started shouting with joy and could not contain myself. I went from sad to happy in like ten seconds. I realised how much I wanted him to be at home for Christmas that year."

#Christmas moment 2: My daddy is Santa Claus

Bipasha Angelina Khalkho, a housewife, shares a wonderful Christmas tradition that her family has been following religiously. One that involves her husband dressing as Santa Claus.

"Every Christmas, my daughter writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for gifts. Unknown to my daughter, her father will try his best to get whatever is in that letter. Also, he buys many small gifts and hides them in different nooks and corners with sticky notes giving directions to them."

"The best part is seeing the happy face of our daughter who laughs and literally cries with happiness when she sees the gifts," adds Bipasha.

#Christmas moment 3: The sweet notes of a guitar

James Phurba Sherpa, a food inspector, recalls his cherished Christmas memory with a huge grin. And why not? When he was a college-going youngster, his parents surprised him with a Christmas present he thought he would never be able to lay his hands on, which was a Fender Player Stratocaster Electric Guitar.

The above-mentioned guitar costs a fortune. James, a budding musician, always wanted that guitar but did not have money to buy it. When his parents wanted what he wanted that Christmas, his heart said a Fender but knowing the financial limitations of a middle-class household, he told a basic music system.

"Imagine my absolute joy when I opened a huge box thinking it to be a music system but there it lay, my favourite Fender." "I was speechless for a few seconds and then I hugged both my parents and kissing them on the cheeks."

A wonderful memory that proves the unconditional love parents have for children.

#Christmas moment 4: A four-legged present

Catherine Nazareth, a 36-year-old editor at a medical company, says her favorite Christmas moment will always be the one when she was gifted a puppy. "I must have been six years when I saw my friend's furry ball of joy. It was a white labrador puppy that would follow us wherever we went."

She pestered her parents for one but her request was always put down. When Catherine was nine, she went to the Christmas tree decked with lights and presents searching for her gift. To her surprise and shock, no present bore her name. It was at this time her parents came to the living room carrying a golden retriever puppy.

Today, Bruno - the puppy has grown to be a healthy dog and remains one of Catherine's treasured gifts. Woof, woof, we say.

#Christmas moment 5: Wheelchair for Grandmother

For Rachel Lepcha, a lifestyle editor, every Christmas has been special in one way or other. However, nothing can beat an enduring Christmas memory not only for Rachel but for her parents as well. A memory that involved her late Grandmother.

"Every Christmas, the entire family would gather for dinner. Grandma, who was bedridden, had to be carried and placed on the chair. Post that, she would be fixed on the chair and watch the proceedings. Two years before she passed away, we decided to buy a wheelchair for her so she could move from one place to another without any assistance. And what a wonderful sight it was to see her happy face as she went from room to room and took repeated rounds of the hall."

Take a look at the following video that shows different Christmas traditions around the world

#Christmas moment 6: God sent me an angel

Sameer Amardeep Ekka, a cloth shop owner, says his best Christmas was seven years back when his daughter was born. Although the baby was due on the last week of December, little did Sameer and his family expect the delivery to be on Christmas day.

We were eagerly looking forward to the birth of our baby. There was excitement and nervousness. On the morning of Christmas, we were just about to finish breakfast when my wife complained of sharp stomach pain. We rushed to the hospital and imagine my surprise when the doctor told me that the baby was set to arrive. It was the best gift I have ever received to date, says the proud father.

#Christmas moment 7: Getting lucky at the lucky draw

A lottery would normally mean a cash prize. In one case, the winner received no cash at all. Yet, Ashwin Lobo, a college graduate is sure this will be his most memorable Christmas memory. For, he won a massive five kilos of chocolate cake at the lucky draw that is held every year in the bakery near his house.

"Each year, during Christmas, the local bakery in our area, holds a lucky draw. Each person who buys over there during this time receives a number on a plastic coin. During Christmas, all the numbers are put into a box and the owner picks a number that wins. I had never won even once so did not expect this year either. To my utmost surprise, I won and that too a chocolate cake."

#Christmas moment 8: Sharing is caring

For Shawn Koo, a Chinese living in Kolkata, his special memory revolves around giving and sharing. His mother, Jennifer, an excellent cook, would prepare fried items and cakes that Shawn would go around the neighborhood and distribute. Shawn says, "The best part was that I would not return with an empty plate. In return, I would be given sweets of their own. I loved that childhood memory."

#Christmas moment 9: Stories over bonfire

For Abu Verghese Cherian, a native of Kerala and parent to eight-year-old twins, a camping trip during Christmas turned out to be the best adventure.

"I knew what the reaction of others would be. After all, who goes camping on Christmas? However, I wanted to do something extra that would give my sons an experience they would remember forever."

And that is exactly what happened. His twins loved the whole experience, the thrill of the outdoors, sleeping in a tent, huddled up around a small fire with hot coffee and sandwiches. The best part - Abu had secretly bought along with small presents in his trekking bag as well. Truly, a wonderful parenting moment.

#Christmas moment 10: Going out at night for tasty treats

Sheryl Abraham, who runs her own clothing boutique, in Mumbai, becomes nostalgic every time she remembers her cherished Christmas moments. During childhood, Sheryl and her cousins would head out and explore the by-lanes of Mumbai for tasty treats such as ice cream and hot cross buns.

"My favourite would be the hot cross buns, soft and delicious. Nowadays, people have become so busy they hardly have dinner together. I remember a group of us laughing and stuffing our mouth with food as we watched the many lights illuminating the city. I would love to revisit that memory once again."

We are sure that by now a broad smile must be plastered on your face reading each of these heart-warming and memorable Christmas real-life incidents. Here's hoping that you get to experience your very own moment during the Christmas season.