Christmas is one of those holidays that sparks a lot of memories for each person when it comes to this time of year. Whether it’s helping out those in need, travel woes trying to make it home in time to spend with loved ones, those special moments with friends and family, shopping hassles trying to find that perfect present.

Speaking of presents, I’m sure a lot of you at one time or another have been double-checking around the Christmas tree after all your gifts were unwrapped, wondering, “That’s it?”, or have tried to keep a straight face when you open yet another ugly, knitted sweater or boxed panettone cake (“Gee… it’s what I’ve always wanted!” )

That’s made me think of some of the gifts of yesteryear that I’ve always wanted to receive for Christmas, but never got. Here’s my list (in no particular order):

• Pogo
  Not only did this thing look like the planet Saturn, but it made you feel like you were bouncing on the moon (yes, I tried the one my friend got back in the 6th grade).



• Easy Bake Oven
  I swear, if I had this growing up, I cooking and baking would’ve definitely become my profession instead of my hobby.



• Dream Phone
  Is it too much to ask to call guys and get clues to find out which guy really likes you? “Hello, hunks!” Seriously though: is it just me, or are the guys in the commercial, like, 30-years-old?
  
• Tamagotchi
  I borrowed my friend’s once. I vaguely remember killing the pixel-based creature.



• Girl Talk
  I’m not quite sure if I’d take the dare over the zit sticker.



• Mall Madness
  If I got this game as a gift, I would probably be more of a shop-a-holic than I am now.
  
• Skip-It
  This was definitely a workout. I forgot how many “skips” I clocked, but I was in the high double-digits for sure.



• Teddy Ruxpin
  Who wouldn’t want a talking, animatronic teddy bear? Just as long as it didn’t end up like Chucky. LOL@the zombie-like response from all of the kids in the commercial after Teddy asks if they could be friends.
  

Now of course Christmas is not all about the latest fads and gifts, so I’d like to thank Mom and Dad for the gifts they did manage to get me over the Christmases (like the Lite-Brite, She-Ra doll, Popples, Nintendo and the Star Trek paraphernalia). The holiday season is about being thankful for what you already have, spending quality time with your loved ones, and helping those less fortunate than yourself during this great season. As commercial as this holiday season has come, stemming from its humble beginnings with the miraculous birth that one silent night, I hope that everyone acknowledges the true meaning to the season and enjoys their holidays to the fullest.