Each year, when the familiar question echoes through the air—"What would you like for Christmas?"—I hear others respond with their lists of tangible desires and material wishes. Yet for me, the most precious gift is one that transcends physical objects: it's the Christmas of my childhood, a treasure that lives only in my memories.

I alone hold the key to recreating the magic of those cherished Christmases in Alassio, where my parents wove an enchanted tapestry of peace and tranquility around me. Every memory is etched with the indelible warmth of feeling safe, cherished, and tenderly cared for. Outside our windows, the winter sea would roar with mighty waves, the sky hanging heavy and leaden gray, while the wind rattled the panes that overlooked the beach. Yet within our home, the Christmas tree shimmered with lights and garlands, and a sparkling star crowned our Nativity scene, casting its gentle glow upon the smiling face of the Holy Child.

Love permeated every corner of our home, intertwining with the sweet aromas of cinnamon and chocolate, dancing with the delicate fragrances of orange, tangerine, and vanilla. This love enveloped me like the softest, warmest blanket, creating a sanctuary where I found endless comfort and peace. The boundless love I received from my mother and father was the most precious gift imaginable—one that no store-bought present could ever hope to match.

So when asked what I desire for Christmas, my thoughts drift far beyond the aisles of shops or the glossy pages of catalogs. It's a gift that only I can give myself now—the bittersweet remembrance of those bygone Christmases, overflowing with the pure, heartfelt affection of my parents. Looking back, I realize how often we take such precious blessings for granted, believing that the warmth of love will somehow last forever.

If only I had known then what I understand now—the impermanence of those golden moments. If only I had recognized the fragility of time and the fleeting nature of the love that surrounded me so completely. The Christmas wish I hold closest to my heart isn't for anything money can buy, but for the wisdom I wished I'd had to cherish more deeply that priceless gift of love while it was still mine to hold.