My favorite holiday has been and always will be Christmas. Growing up with five brothers and sisters, the weeks leading up to Christmas Day were always full of anticipation, hopes and dreams, and wondering about what we’d find under the tree. When that day finally came, we wasted no time racing down the stairs and ripping off gobs and gobs of wrapping paper to see what Santa had delivered. 

We lived a modest lifestyle. My father was a school teacher and my mother was what used to be called a homemaker. We weren’t rich, but we had a roof over our heads and three (or more) meals a day. We always had enough, especially when it came to Christmas.

I often wonder how my parents did it all on one meager salary, but they somehow always put us first and made sure we always had a happy Christmas polished off with a delicious turkey dinner with all the fixings. It wasn’t Normal Rockwell, but it was close.

Of course, there were a few tradeoffs.

My mother made matching jumpers for my two sisters and me every year. I have pictures to prove it. To add insult to injury, she also insisted that our hair be decent so we had to sleep in curlers. Right now, I’m thinking, does anybody even know what curlers were? Trust me, that was torture, but we did look good.

And then there was the home-and-away Christmas night visit with my five cousins from Lynn, my mother’s brother’s kids (you know who you are!). Every other year, when it was their turn to come to our house, we knew we had to hide our new stuff to protect our territory. And I know that, when it was our turn to go to their place, my cousins were doing the same. 

Looking back, I know my siblings and I were fortunate to have had a childhood full of so many wonderful memories that make me smile.

But not everyone can say the same. Too many families today are struggling to find a way to survive, pay their bills and feed their kids; forget about finding a way to put smiles on their children’s faces on Christmas Day.

A single mother of three who recently moved to the United States is one of them. She said her family left all of their possessions behind to find “a better future” and her kids have asked her for toys she cannot afford.

“We also need help with food as we don’t have food stamps or any other help.”

She is asking Item Santa for help.

“Anything you can give them would be appreciated,” she wrote. “God bless your hard work.”

Now in its 58th year, the Item Santa helps to make Christmas brighter for the needy. To donate, clip the coupon in The Daily Item and mail it, along with your check to The Item Salvation Army Santa, 85 Exchange St., Lynn MA 01901. There is also a way to donate online through the Salvation Army at itemsanta.org. All donations are listed in Item print editions through the month of December and into 2025, along with a message from each donor if desired.

NOTE: The application period for aid from Item Santa has closed and The Item does not process applicants. All questions about the program and distribution of gifts should be directed to the Salvation Army at 781-598-0673.

Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected]