Great gifts which stick in the memory

Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Those celebrating Christmas always have a favorite Christmas gift that leaves an enduring impression. We asked several celebrities about that special something they will never forget.

Tika Panggabean, comedienne and entertainer: Last Christmas, Mbak Uthe (Ruth Sahanaya, singer) and Jeffrey (Waworuntu, a TV presenter and Ruth's husband) gave me the most interesting gift I've ever received: Cookie Monster stuff, from soap case to spectacles case. All of it was packed in a 21-inch TV set box and wrapped in Cookie Monster paper.

I think they purchased all the goods from the Sesame Street section in Kidz Station. I was so surprised when they showed me the huge gift.

I like Sesame Street because it's educational. I personally like Cookie Monster because he's, ohh so adorable. He doesn't say much but every time he sees cookies he screams "cookie... cookie... cookie...". I like eating too, and I think he's the personification of my own character.

William Wongso, culinary expert: The most special gifts I've ever received have been homemade foods prepared by friends and relatives, who usually don't have time to cook.

Such gifts are not really Christmas gifts because I often received them during Idul Fitri too.

For me, these homemade foods have a unique value as they require time and extra effort to prepare. That's what makes them special, not how much they cost.

I greatly appreciate the attention made by the givers who prepared these gifts.

Butet Kartaredjasa, satirist: To tell you the truth, I've never received a special gift but there is a tradition of gift giving during Christmas at my father's (noted contemporary choreographer Bagong Kusudiardjo) house. The gifts are ordinary things like T-shirts, money or cookies and they've always been from my parents to their children and grandchildren but never from their children and grandchildren.

Usually the gifts are neatly wrapped and placed in the family's living room, while the money is put inside envelopes and hung on the wall. We collect the ones with our names on them.

There is nothing special with the goods as they are only ordinary things but I personally think that the tradition is special. Can you imagine, at my age, I still receive gifts from my father.

Ghea Panggabean, fashion designer: For me, all Christmas gifts from family and friends are always special. I value the attention they give me by sending me those gifts, many of them homemade cookies.

Christmas is always special. It's the most magical time of the year and everything, even ordinary things, become very special during Christmas.

But the most memorable Christmas time was last year when the whole family -- my children and my parents who live in the Netherlands -- were here to celebrate Christmas together. It was very special.

I also enjoy being together with my friends, most of them are busy people and I often hold an informal Christmas gathering at my house just to be together.

Debby Sahertian, TV actress, comedienne: My favorite Christmas gift was a flower bouquet given by someone. It was four or five years ago and the bouquet was very special because I never expected to receive such a Christmas gift from that person.

If I tell you and he reads it in the paper, he would be astonished because it was a long time ago. But it is still one of the most special Christmas gifts I've ever received.

"Last Christmas, I also received a trendy blouse from my eight-year-old niece Dimitri. She bought it with her own money. It was special, too. A few months later, Mimi (short for Dimitri) visited me and she opened my wardrobe. When she saw my clothes, she asked me, "May I keep all your clothes when I grow up?"