With the winter season arriving, Madison students can begin preparing for colder weather, hopeful snow-days and the holiday season. As Warhawks spend their final Christmases at home before adulthood, the time has come to look back on some of the most significant and exciting gifts from our childhood.

Lucy Silverstein (’23), who celebrates Christmas and also Hanukkah, remembers receiving her favorite Christmas gift in sixth grade: a trampoline. 

“My favorite gift was a trampoline because my parents told me I would never get a trampoline and they were very adamant about that,” Silverstein said. 

However, Silverstein received her favorite childhood gift with extreme excitement and happy tears when her father surprised her. Silverstein fondly remembers using her Christmas gift to play with friends and spend time outdoors.

While dolls, action figures, bikes and many other exciting gifts may take top rank with some Madison students, Abigail Chaikin (’22) was ecstatic to receive her favorite childhood gift on her 14th birthday: a panini press. 

“I loved receiving that gift because I love paninis and the press also allowed me to cook for my family,” Chaikin said. 

Chaikin fondly remembers the moment she opened her gift and how excited she was to be able to include others in the fun by cooking for them. 

Daniel Cho (’22) was also able to include others in his favorite gift from his childhood, the famous Nintendo Wii. Cho received the Wii when he was in first grade and remembers the times his Mii virtually gave his brother a right hook in boxing or when he got the perfect lie in a match of Wii golf with his dad. 

“My Nintendo Wii really brought my family together,” Cho said. “Being able to share the fun of a present with others is the most exciting part of receiving any gift,”

While reflecting on the childhood gifts Madison students have received while growing up, it is easy to question whether the recent advance in technology will affect the younger generation’s wishlists. 

“When we were kids, holiday gifts were more about presents with lots of significance like toys or dolls, and now I think kids usually ask for some sort of electronic gift like an iPad,” Silverstien said. “I feel like our generation never really asked for electronics. We really just asked for toys.” 

While an iPad for a small child does have benefits such as the ability to download apps that promote development, increasing ability to interact with friends and family and wider access to the internet, there will always be something special about reminiscing on the gifts from our youth.

“While gifts are really fun, it is even more enjoyable when you get to be surrounded by those you love, even if they take you down in a match of Wii boxing along the way,” Cho said.