I took sewing in school, had made men's suits at one time and had an old sewing machine. A friend of mine had given me ten bolts of material they had stashed away when cleaning out their garage. I would make my daughter some clothes for Christmas.

My daughter, at 11 years old, was so brave. After I explained our situation to her, she set about asking one of our neighbors to teach her how to do macrame. If you aren't familiar with this craft, it was used to make plant holders they had then out of yarn.

I didn't know she was doing this and I set about sewing her Christmas gifts while she spent time at neighbors house. I thought she was playing and having a good time.

I still had one problem. What would I do about a tree? I told my daughter that we wouldn't be able to have a tree this Christmas. She said to me, "Mom, why not use a tumbleweed?". I thought about it and said why not? They were plentiful in dessert and free.

We went out and chose a tumbleweed just as if we were picking out perfect Christmas tree. When we found right one, we came home, put lights on it and popped pop corn and strung them for tree.

Christmas morning we arose full of anticipation and excitement. I was surprised to find two gifts under tree with my name on them. How did my daughter get me two gifts? She had no money.

When I questioned her about it, she said, "Just open them mom!". I opened them and was pleasantly surprised! They were simply beautiful. They even matched my decor! She explained how all time she had spent at neighbors house, she had been learning to make these for me. This touched my heart to core.

I have never forgot it to this day. Neither has my daughter. When she talks about Christmas now, she always mentions our tumbleweed Christmas and how she remembers that Christmas over all rest. She always refers to it as best Christmas we ever had.