Helping Santa Load the Sleigh — From Our Front Porch to Yours!
As were working on more of our Christmas Gift Guides/ Wish List I was blessed growing up with both a sister and a brother. Now, don’t get me wrong. There were times when I wanted to throw both of them away! LO! But isn’t that how it is with siblings, especially when you’re growing up?
There are four years between my brother and me, four years between my brother and my sister, and eight years between my sister and me. Today, we all get along, but growing up? Well, that’s another story! Especially when I was the oldest and my brother was my mom’s favorite and my sister was my dad’s favorite. That left me out a lot of times but I had my grandma Dorie.
Growing up my brother and I could have been called two little stinkers. Would you believe we convinced our little sister, Debbie, that we had found her in a trash can? We told her Mom and Dad felt sorry for her, so they brought her home to live with us. And bless her heart, she believed us!
Not only did she believe us, but she went to kindergarten and told everyone that was where she came from! Man, oh man, did we get in trouble when Mom and Dad found out! But you know what? Those are the memories we look back on today and laugh about. They might not have been funny to our parents at the time, but they’re part of our family’s story, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything.
When I had my daughter, Suzzane, Debbie became one of the best aunts a little girl could ask for. She loved Suzzane, and she has been the same way with my son, Charlie. Debbie also gave me my one and only nephew, David Michael, and through him, I’ve been blessed with my great-niece and great-nephew, Lily and Jason.
Family has always been an important part of our lives, even when we get on one another’s last nerve! Today, Debbie shares her home with her family, and I’m sure there are days when she’d like a little peace and quiet. I understand that feeling because I share my home with my husband, David, my son, Charlie, and my brother. And believe me, there are days when I’d like to find a hole to crawl into and hide for a little while! But at the end of the day, we’re family, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Or would I?
As we’ve been putting together our Christmas Gift Guide Wishlist 2026 and helping Santa load his sleigh, I started thinking about the women in my family. We have Grandma in her 80s, I’m in my 60s, and Debbie is in her 50s. Three women at different stages of life, with different personalities, wishes, and needs.
And while I love the idea of us being our own version of the Golden Girls, Debbie and I could probably give Thelma and Louise a run for their money! After all, we’ve done events together, made memories together, and had plenty of adventures. And you know our saying: We can do it all!
This year, I wanted to do something a little different. Instead of putting together another ordinary list of Christmas presents, I decided to create a wishlist just for Debbie. Not because I’m going to run out and buy everything on it. Goodness gracious, Santa would need a bigger sleigh and a much bigger bank account!
This is a wishlist, filled with things I think she would enjoy, things that might make her life easier, and little surprises that would let her know someone was thinking about her. Sometimes the most meaningful gift isn’t the most expensive one. It’s the gift that says, I know you. I love you. And I was thinking about you when I saw this.
Before we begin shopping I wanted to share a little bit about Debbie and what she likes so you can help me shop for her. Debbie loves the color green, and since her birthday is in May, emerald happens to be her birthstone. She loves cats and has always wanted a calico cat.
She enjoys reading, watching movies, especially Tyler Perry movies, and spending time with her grandchildren. She loves popcorn, dark chocolate, and Coca-Cola. And while Coke has always been her favorite drink, she also loves sweet tea! She’s someone who enjoys getting out and doing things with her grandchildren, whether that’s going to the park, swimming, watching a movie, or maybe finally taking them roller skating.
She also works in the medical field as a medical coder, so I’ve been thinking about little gifts that could make her workday more comfortable or simply bring a smile to her face. And because she’s always cold, I think Santa ought to consider a few cozy sweaters, warm blankets, and maybe a nice jacket!
Debbie has also been facing some health challenges. That’s her story to share, not mine. What I can tell you is that she has Hashimoto’s disease and follows a gluten-free diet. So, as we build her wishlist, I’d love to include some thoughtful gluten-free treats and practical comfort gifts, too. That doesn’t mean every gift in this guide needs to be gluten-free, because we’re sharing ideas for women everywhere, not just my sister.
Here’s where I need your help, friends. As I sit here on my front porch putting together Debbie’s Christmas wishlist, I’d love for you to join me. We’re going to look at gifts from the 1970s, when Debbie was born, through the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and right up to 2026. We’ll revisit candy, movies, soft drinks, and some of those wonderful things we remember growing up.
We’ll also explore gifts for cat lovers, bookworms, movie fans, women who love their families, and women who could use a little extra comfort at the end of a long day. And since Debbie’s home could use some updating, we’ll look at practical gifts for her kitchen, her tiny bathroom, her bedroom, and her living room.
There may even be a few things on the list that would help other women who share their homes with adult children or grandchildren. Because sometimes making a home work for everyone takes a little creativity! Remember, we’re dreaming here. We aren’t buying everything on the list, and we certainly don’t expect Santa to bring it all. But isn’t it fun to dream?
Now it’s your turn! If you have a sister, what would you put on her Christmas wishlist? Do you know someone with Hashimoto’s disease or someone who eats gluten-free? Are there gifts or treats they’ve particularly enjoyed? And if you have a favorite gift for a woman in her 50s, I’d love to hear about it.
Leave me a comment and help us make Debbie’s Christmas wishlist extra special. Who knows? Maybe your suggestion will be just what Santa was looking for! From my front porch to yours, thank you for helping me celebrate my little sister a little bit more this year..
Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com — Helping Santa Load the Sleigh, One Thoughtful Gift at a Time!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
