CEOs: Best holiday gifts bring cherished memories

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More a combination of a holiday gift and a gift for my 50th birthday, the best present (next to my children) was from my wife: a 2016 Indian Scout motorcycle. For years, my wife would ask what I wanted for the holidays, for my birthday, for Father’s Day and even for lunch. My response was always the same — an Indian Scout motorcycle. It’s something I wanted in my more youthful days, but with young children in the house, it was an indulgence we agreed to forgo over home repairs, other necessities and worries of danger. Still, I would always pass a dealer and dream of having one of my own. Having moved to Florida four years ago, and with year round riding now a possibility, my wife purchased the bike as a gift to me and increased my life insurance policy as a gift to her. Since receiving, I ride weekly — and as everyone should — always responsibly, with a helmet and protective gear.

Michael Balaban, president, CEO, Jewish Federation of Broward County

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The best gift I ever received was not something material, but it was certainly something I could never put monetary value on. I will take you back to my graduate school years at the Wharton School at Penn. After finals, the one thing I looked forward to was spending time with family and friends for the holidays. Little did I know my friends had gotten together to surprise me with a party. There were friends there I had not seen in years. Looking around the room, I could not ask for a better homecoming and holiday. Huge reminder that the holidays are about family and friends. No better gift than the time I got to spend with each of them.

Uhriel Bedoya, Florida general manager, Lime

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When my daughters were really young, my husband Gustavo gave me a Tiffany necklace with three circles representing each one of them. I always wear it and cherish it, especially now that my girls are grown up.

Claudia Busch, founding principal, Berenblum Busch Architects

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The best holiday gift(s) I’ve ever received, big or small, are gifts that have been thoughtfully selected and come with a whole lot of love. I am someone who cherishes experiences, so if pushed for a specific example, I would have to go with the singing Gorilla my husband hired to sing for me on Christmas Eve (which is also my birthday). The gorilla sang off key but I’ll never forget that evening.

Anita Byer, CEO, Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk

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I once received a video art work by Brian Bess, titled “Palm Tree Satellites,” a mesmerizing 30-minute video loop which is constantly revealing itself to you. The work perfectly captured the essence of the whimsical nature of Florida’s tropical landscape and it was the first video work in my collection.

Ricardo Dunin, founding partner, Lionheart Capital

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Mari and I have been blessed with three amazing children and five (soon to be six) marvelous grandchildren. Regardless of when they were born, their arrival was special and emotionally overwhelming, but our son arrived on December 26, 1980 — and that ranks as the most special holiday gift ever. We originally thought he would be a December 25 baby, but we think he was a bit delayed so his older sister would have Christmas all to herself. What greater gift than the delivery of a healthy baby during a special holiday time? Especially one that grows to make you immensely proud in every way. All three of our children are gifts we deeply cherish and are immensely proud of, but our son’s birthday on the day after Christmas Day in 1980 was a very special holiday gift indeed!

Carlos R. Fernandez-Guzman, president, CEO, Pacific National Bank (PNB

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The best holiday gift I have ever received is my dog, Zuzu, our family’s labradoodle. Not only did I love the surprise, but most importantly, my kids loved it even more.

Sanket Parekh, founder & managing partner, Secocha Ventures

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Best holiday gift I ever received was more of an experience than a present. I was traveling on business in December and was invited to see the Northern Lights in Tromso, Norway (home of the only Burger King restaurants in the polar region) with the franchise owner at the top of a mountain, accessible by tram. I also saw live reindeer in a Christmas market at Gothenburg, Sweden. Both were very memorable moments as I look back at the holidays. On a personal note, a good friend of our family always has given three matching holiday pajamas to my three daughters, from birth until this day (they are in their 30s), which are worn when we open gifts on Dec. 25.

Julio Ramirez, president, CEO, JEM Global Consulting

THE MIAMI HERALD CEO ROUNDTABLE IS A WEEKLY FEATURE THAT APPEARS IN BUSINESS MONDAY OF THE MIAMI HERALD. Meet the current members of the roundtable.

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This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 12:46 AM with the headline "CEOs: Best holiday gifts bring cherished memories."