Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year, a great time for sitting around and remembering past Christmases, time you spent with your family and friends, gifts that you gave and how happy the recipients were, and also gifts that you received. It’s nice to remember your favorite toys from your childhood.

I remember one year I really wanted a canoe. My family had bought some property on a lake and we were going over every weekend to plant trees and do different things on the property. I enjoyed swimming in the lake but I was dying for a canoe, but I was led to believe they couldn’t afford it. Lo and behold, I did receive the canoe and that was one of the best gifts ever. As an adult, my favorite Christmas “toy” was my Clinton Anderson Aussie saddle and also a gold pointer dog pendant.

I think my son would say one of his favorite toys he received as a Christmas gift was the year he wanted a Dreamcast game console. I had a hard time finding it and didn’t think I was going to get it for him but he did get it and was so surprised.

I love giving great and surprising gifts to people when they are not expecting it. I think kids most appreciate the Christmas toys they don’t really expect to get but really want. I don’t think it’s a good idea to lie to them and say they aren’t going to get it in order to surprise them, but it doesn’t hurt to leave them wondering if indeed they will receive their heart’s desire.

Even though it seems that usually these days kids have certain things they want and they basically make out a list of toys they would like to have, you might suggest that this year you surprise them instead. You know your kids well enough that you will be able to easily find things they’ll love. And who knows, later on when they look back, the surprise Christmas gifts you give this year could become the favorite toys of your child’s early years.