There are some things that do not change from generation to generation. These are the things that fond memories are made from. There are also the things that we want to do differently than our parents did with us. The things that we want to do differently probably are those that have created hurtful memories for us. We all had good and bad experiences in childhood, the key is to be able to move on from our past and create happier memories for our adult years.

One of the experiences that may have caused either good or bad memories is the toys for Christmas that we received. For me I have both kinds of memories that I think about when I reminisce about the toys for Christmas I received over the years. When I was seven years old I wanted a Barbie doll. The dolls had come on to the market the same year that I was born and my name is Barb. When I was younger everyone called me Barbie. So many of my friends owned Barbie dolls and I thought I should have one. My parents did not have much money so my mother did a great deal of shopping in discount stores. She was the queen of off brand merchandize. That year for Christmas when I opened my present I found that I did receive a doll. It was the same size as a Barbie doll; however it was a Vivian doll. This was the cheaper off brand version. The Barbie doll clothes fit the doll. The difference was that the Vivian doll did not have the same feet so the high heeled Barbie doll shoes did not fit. Also the face looked different. I was very disappointed with the doll. I did not think that the couple of dollars that mom saved was worth it. I do not remember any other toys for Christmas from that year.

I think my mother realized from that experience that cheaper is not always better. I never did enjoy playing with that doll. From that time on it seemed that we received brand name items for our toys for Christmas. Now that I am a parent I make sure that my children have fond memories of the holidays. They do not get everything that they put on their lists because moderation is a lesson I want them to learn, but the things that they do receive are high quality and specifically what they ask for. I am sure there are things that they will do differently when they parent their children, but hopefully the hurtful memories they have from childhood will be few.