"I'll never forget how she made shopping for presents so much fun," says Cora Fischman.
"I expected we'd shop in Beverley Hills. But Nicole said, 'Oh Cora, that's crazy. We can save lots of money by going downtown.'
So we drove there instead, and went to all these terrific little stores that sold T-shirts by the dozen and toys at a discount.
"Instead of Neiman Marcus, Nicole led around places like Toys 'R' Us and Target.
And she shopped for everyone - not just her kids and family, but her housekeeper, the gardener and mailman, as well as Jason and Arnelle."
Although Nicole, 35, was receiving $120,000-a-year child support from O.J. and lived in a $700,000 condo on Brentwood's Bundy Drive, she always stayed within her budget when it came to shopping, says Cora.
It was O.J.'s idea to organize the festive gathering with Cora and her family.
They sat down to champagne and caviar while the kids feasted on pasta and chicken from Rosti, their neighborhood Italian takeout restaurant.
The highlight of the evening for the kids - with O.J. - was the opening of the presents.
With Nicole taking everyone to the Browns for Christmas lunch, O.J. treated this get-together as his family Christmas.
Nicole and Cora had decided in advance to be "sensible" and keep their presents to one another under $100.
"So Nicole gave me a fake Chanel zippered pouch," says Cora. "I still carry it with me everyday. I gave her a huge jewelry box covered with a tapestry print that came just under the limit at $99.99. Nicole loved it."
"For me, Christmas won't be the same without Nicole. My heart goes out to Sydney and Justin. Nicole made every Christmas so special for them."
Star Magazine
December 27 1994