Gifts, gifts, and more gifts

By Maria M., Xiomara A., Magaly G. and Michael Z.

A big part of the holidays is giving and getting gifts.

Some of the gifts CATS students and teachers gave or got over the winter break included everything from gift cards to socks.

Senior Pedro F. said, “For Christmas I got some of my favorite things which are money, gift cards, a candle, a gold necklace and a cup that I had been wanting from Starbucks.” He explained that what makes these gifts special “is the fact that they were given with love, and that makes me appreciate them a lot more.”

Meanwhile, fellow senior Adin F. shared that the best gift he received was a $50 gift card which he used to buy himself new JBL earphones.

Mr. Victor Dominguez, an English teacher, said, “On Christmas, I received an iPad, a candle from Bath and Body Works, socks, but I’m really excited about the socks.’’

Fellow English teacher Mr. Benny Martinez shared, “My mom gave me a bracelet that says ‘I love you son.'”

While getting gifts is easy, gift-giving is not — it requires a lot of thought.

For example, when asked if having to give gifts is difficult, substitute teacher Ms. Angel said, “No, because that’s a fun part for me to do once a year, to think of them.”

“I usually like to give things that remind me of people, like a friend of mine who likes to play video games and I bought him his favorite video game,” said Mr. Martinez.

Mr. Dominguez said, “I like to give materialistic gifts, for me it is the most emotional. Sometimes, yes, we need things and it’s important, but then I think we all deserve a little luxury.”

But what happens if you don’t like the gift?

Junior Diego Henriquez thinks you should still “keep it forever.” He said, “I would not throw that away, I would just leave it like in a shell or just look at it. It would break someone’s heart if I returned their gift.”