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First-graders at St. Patrick's School in Troy understand that it's better to give than receive. Recently, they shared what they would like to give the people in their lives for Christmas, if they had an unlimited budget.

The kids were asked: "If you could give anything in the world, who would you give a special Christmas present to, and what would it be?"

* "My mommy a kiss. And I made something for my grandpa; it's a Christmas tree, and it has noodles for ornaments -- and what are those things that squirrels eat? Acorns." -- Yanee LaBoy, 6

* "A diamond ring for my mommy. I love my mom. I'd like to give my brother a motorcycle. A little one; he's only five." -- Antonio Lind, 7

* "A Barbie doll for my sister, a bride one. She's in second grade. She likes Barbies. And [for] my cousin, a dress -- blue, green and purple." -- Sepideh Khozooei, 6

* "My mom a bracelet and a necklace, gold and silver, because I got her a necklace last Christmas...and I got my brothers a watch...and my auntie sent me a shirt...and I had a race track...." -- Yusef Branch, 6

* "My cousin Courtney a necklace like this [pointing to her own necklace of painted pasta], but gold."

-- Breana Hassan, 6

(12-21-00)

* "My mom: I'll give her a Lite Brite, because that's what she'd want. My grandma: I would like to give her a new movie, `The Grinch.'" -- Johanna Foreman, 6 [[In-content Ad]]

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