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The Meaningful Christmas Gift President Obama's Father Gave Him

Aired on 12/13/2009 | CC tv-pg
In a 2009 exclusive interview, Oprah visited the first couple as they prepared for their first Christmas in the white house.

The Obamas reminisced with Oprah about their favorite childhood gifts. The first lady shared with Oprah that her favorite childhood gift was a metal dollhouse. The president revealed that one of the presents he would never forget was a 10-speed bike.

President Obama also opened up about a basketball his father once gave him for Christmas. The gift, he said, from a father he barely knew, left an indelible mark. "I do remember the one time I met my father. He was visiting during Christmas, and he gave me a basketball," President Obama said. "And the degree to which I came to love basketball—it wasn't until much later in life where I realized, 'Actually, he gave me that basketball.' I think there was some cause and effect there in terms of the degree to which I just ended up taking up the sport as a kid who didn't know his dad."

In the clip above, the first couple reflects on holiday gifting, and the president makes his case for why he gives better presents than the first lady does.

Original airdate: December 13, 2009

Tune in for a special airing of Christmas at the White House (2009) on Wednesday, December 21, at 8/7c.