Have you seen those Lexus (I think it is Lexus) commercials where a child is reminiscing about their best Christmas ever and then it cuts to the child, now an adult, who has just received a Lexus for Christmas? I wanted to link to one of their commercials for your viewing pleasure but when is searched the internet I learned that they pulled the commercials a couple of weeks before Christmas because a lot of people were really pissed about them and thought they were in bad taste since the economy is the way it is and the commercials were totally materialistic (true) and made it seem that the only way to have a great Christmas is to buy one of their cars. Apparently, I am in the minority (what's new?) and enjoy bad taste (not surprising) because I really liked these commercials. They reminded me of my "best Christmas ever."
It was 1984 and the year of the Cabbage Patch Kid craze. This was the year that Cabbage Patch Kids were nearly impossible to get and my parents needed three (there were three girls in my family at the time) so they tried to set low expectations and made us think that Santa just wasn't going to have enough to go around that year. I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid more than anything. I was a weird kid and was convinced that my entire future hinged on whether or not I adopted one of these dolls. Well, after what seemed like the longest December in history, Christmas finally came and there were four Cabbage Patch Kids under our tree (Santa ended up having enough so he even brought one for my brother Trevor). It was a dream come true. I honestly couldn't believe that I was going to be able to adopt (they came with adoption papers that you filled out and mailed into the company) my own doll.
That's me (top center), Tyra (top right), Lara (bottom right), and Trevor (bottom boy)There was however a sad moment in all the unwrapping and doll loving chaos that took place in our family room that Christmas morning. I remember watching with anticipation as Lara opened her doll, took a close look at her, and then sadly, but bravely set her aside. You see, she received the ugliest Cabbage Patch Kid that Santa and his elves ever manufactured and she was disappointed. It hurt my heart to see her doll and her brave acceptance of the doll she had been dealt. I remember looking at my doll (probably the most adorable Cabbage Patch Kid ever created) and thinking I should ask her to trade me. I struggled with this dilemma for a whole minute but in the end I just couldn't do it and instead told her that she could play with mine sometimes if she wanted. Because Lara is a good sport my parents didn't find out about this Christmas disappointment until many years after it occurred and Tyra and I were still able to bask in the joy of having received the most coveted Christmas present ever. I slept with my Cabbage Patch doll Christmas night and remember waking up in the middle of the night and searching all over my bed for her and then pinching myself after I found her because I literally couldn't believe that I had my very own Cabbage Patch Kid. So flash forward to Christmas 2008 and look what Santa left under the Christmas tree for me this year.
Way better than a Lexus and a significant part of my plans to complete my scrapbook projects, organize my photos, and learn new software. And I guess even after all these years I haven't changed that much because Lara has a much older MacBook and I have no plans to trade her.
9 comments:
Ah...Cabbage Patch Kids. I never actually got one. That might explain a lot on my part. I wanted to get two for my girls this year, but I think they only manufacture the ugly ones now. Poor brave, little Lara. I know your parents didn't do that on purpose, but I hope I never have to put my kids through that. I've done it before and it is so tough. It really is because I think it was the same year that Santa got me a FAKE Cabbage Patch doll. I knew it wasn't real, but put on a big smile and said how much I loved her. Why do I have a hard time talking about this? It was like 25 years ago.
I need to go do some yoga now.
I do love the picture. Good old Sabin Drive.
You are so lucky!!! I would kill for a Mac book. Someday...Someday...
I loved your memory of the cabbage patch dolls. I remember going to a store that opened up their doors to a group of crazy parents and their kids who had been waiting for hours to get their hands on the much-coveted Cabbage Patch Kid. I remember running as fast as I can and grabbing the cutest one I could find, and then a mother grabbed it out of my hands. I was hysterical, but luckily my parents had a good plan where all of us split up so we had better odds at getting a doll. I ended up getting a cuter one. Such a crazy time!
I loved the picture of all of you holding your new dolls. Poor Lara. I'm impressed that she didn't say anything until years later. I think I might have reacted differently.
Amy I can't stop laughing because being the older sister myself I have convinced Colle to like a few things in my time knowing mine was better. I know I am going to hell for it he he! What a gig sister for right.
Hmmm, I was left with all of your cabbage patch dolls and they weren't that cool. So maybe Lara shouldn't be too sad about it anymore.
Well, the good news is she did not get the sad "homemade" Cabbage Patch kids that some kids got. I love this story.
Looks like your Christmas was wonderful.
I remember the cabbage patch christmas too. A new Mac book would be just as good, I am sure.
That is AWESOME... Love the old pic with the cabbage patch dolls!
This is my favorite post ever.
Besides, the sad Christmas helped me create my very useful mantra: "Ugly Cabbage Patch dolls breed strong character."
I loved this post! I also loved the Lexus commercials. I just read your whole post to Colton because I liked it so much. He must be in the majority, because he does not like the Lexus commercials. I thought they were great and when he asked me to explain why, I really couldn't. I just liked them and the looking back on Christmas' past and the great things we got. I feel bad for Lara and her ugly doll. Poor girl! Yea for you and your new MacBook! I hope you are able to complete all of your projects!
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