When I was 7, I saved my allowance and bought my father a travel spray bottle of ArmorAll for Christmas. While he chatted outside with the attendant at the parts store, the cashier gave me my change and I put the bottle in my pocket. Once we got home, I wrapped it as neatly as my little fingers could manage, with sheets of red tissue paper and a few feet of Scotch tape.

I glued cotton balls in the shape of a snowman onto green construction paper, and  told my dad how much I loved him in misspelled words. While the ArmorAll only lasted a few months, Daddy kept my homemade card signed with its little Xs and Os. I laugh when I see it on the mantel each year, propped for display above my stocking.

Recession or not, the best gifts kids can give their parents come not from the store, but from the heart. Parents share their wish lists with us.

Melissa Johnson

• Assist me in holiday baking without causing injury, fire, or screaming.

• I would like to have a pretty Christmas tree, just once! We always have a Charlie Brown tree because my kids worry no one else will buy those pitiful, misshapen ones.

• Spend one evening as a family looking at holiday lights. No video games, just Christmas music.

Koushik and Snigdha Roy

Emily, 9 — Downtown

• Keep your room clean.
• Make some special holiday cards for your grandparents.
• Spend some of your allowance to buy toys for children in need.
• Make your Christmas wish list wisely, Santa’s North Pole is in recession.

Dena and Gary Dodson

Lauren, 11, and Abby Grace, 6 — Collierville
• Pray for our soldiers’ safety and be grateful for the sacrifices they make for us. Remember how very blessed you are to have the lives you do.

• Love each other unconditionally. You are the only sister each one will ever have.

• Cherish the traditions we share as a family, like baking cookies for our friends on Christmas Eve, and delivering them by ringing the doorbell and running back to the car. Someday, you’ll have traditions of your own.

• Getting older is not all its cracked up to be. Enjoy being the age you are.

TaKeisha and Roland Woodson, Jr.

Roland III, 2 — Downtown

• Please, PLEASE get potty trained!

• Give up your Binky. It’s time…

• I would love for you to sleep in your own bed. (We co-sleep now.)

Richard and Farrah Jamerson

Darius, 15, Larry, 10, Justin, 9 and Jada, 7 — Binghampton

• Show me you understand who Jesus is.

• Darius, be more aware of what your mother and I must manage. Realize you are not the only child in the family. Be more helpful.

• Get along with each other for one day, ALL day.

• Keep bringing home good grades. You already do — and I notice.

Lee Askew

• Accept gifts with grace. No, “Ewww, that’s  cheap and junky.”

• Buy toys for charity. Better yet, clean up your old stuff and give it away to those  in need.

• Spend time with your grandparent. For bonus points, visit your two great aunts.

• Clean up the space you occupy at Christmas. I mean really clean it up. Do the towels and sheets neatly. Your mother and I do not run a hotel.

• Work in the yard. That means pick up trash, rake leaves, sweep the front porch, burn some calories. The dogs will help.

• Do the right thing — you know what that is by now. Make us even prouder than we already are.

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