The Greek poet Pindar wrote, "Every gift which is given, even though it be small, is in reality great, if it is given with affection." Knowing that many enjoy the holidays as either a religious or a secular event, we asked Red Roomers to blog last week about their favorite holiday gifts. What combination of affection and context made the gift especially memorable? Was it one of those happy accidents like the one in O. Henry's famous story "The Gift of the Magi" (though maybe not as dramatic)? Or was it a gift that was so well planned that the love shone through in the preparations as much as in the gift itself?

We have a special prize to offer just one featured blogger—a signed copy of Salman Rushdie's newest book, Luka and the Fire of Life! It was especially difficult to choose just one blog post to feature. Before we get to it, let me share a few others that were especially good:

• Member Kelly Tweeddale wrote a letter to Santa talking about the various keyboard-featuring gifts that have made her life as a writer enjoyable and frustrating in turns. Enjoy "A Writer's Wish." 
• For a soldier in a war zone, there's really only one possible favorite gift. Member Lloyd Lofthouse makes it clear in "My Favorite Holiday Gift."
• In "Gold: A gift to my four-year-old self," member Melissa Moore shows "(i)t’s time to give you the gift we’ve both been waiting for." 
• Author Cynthia S. Becker's mother gave her the gift she didn't know she needed. Read "Santa, That is Not What I Asked For."
• We enjoyed reading how member Mary T. Wagner's kids pitched on gifts to make her stressful job nicer in "Gifts of Caring."
• Our favorite title this week comes from author Edith T. Morgan, who discusses an offbeat family tradition in "Noel without Nunchuks."
• For member Linda Pack Butler, Hanukkah is in itself the best gift. Read "Gifts That Won't Wrap."
• An old photo reminds author Blair Kilpatrick that an early Christmas gift held the roots to her later life as a musician in "Lost and Found: My Christmas Accordion."
• In "Circle Theory," author Cheryl Snell tells of an astounding gesture across cultures to make a daughter-in-law finally feel welcome in her husband's family

Author Lucha Corpi's  "Epiphany: The Third Gift" is a detailed reminiscence of her childhood in Mexico and a childhood suffused with hidden parental hopes and fear. We're so pleased Lucha decided to share this rich, personal story as her very first blog post on Red Room, and hope she'll enjoy her signed copy of Luka and the Fire of Life. Filled with mischievous wordplay and delving into themes as universal as the power of filial love and the meaning of mortality, Salman Rushdie's book is full of wonders for all ages. We think it would make a fabulous gift.

You can read all the holiday gift blog posts here.  I hope you'll find a few favorites and leave a comment on each one letting the writer know you enjoyed it.  All of Red Room's past blog topics are here... please feel free to leave suggestions in the comments for future topics. We welcome your ideas!

–Huntington W. Sharp, Senior Editor, Red Room