Best Christmas Present Ever: Moms Talk

Is there any ecstasy of anticipation quite like the first glimpse of the Christmas tree on Christmas morning?

The lights sparkle on the ornaments. The morning light makes everything glow. And it all shines on the presents under the tree.

Which ones are for you? Uh-oh, that lumpy one looks like socks. And what's that sticking out of your stocking?

Today, let's talk Christmas present memories. Ralphie had his Red Rider BB gun. What was the gift that had you speechless with joy on Christmas morning?

Maybe it was a shiny new bike to replace your brother's hand-me-down. Or the engagement ring that you didn't expect. Or a hand-knit baby blanket from your grandmother for your coming first child.

When I was 10, I became a sports fan. In spite of growing up in New England, I became a Cleveland Browns fan. Because my great-uncle Stanislaw, who was raised along with my grandmother in Cleveland's Slavic Village, taught me to be one. While other girls had posters of the Bee Gees or Robert Plant on their walls, I had Jim Rice, Fred Lynn and Wayne Gretzky on mine. I announced when I was in junior high that I wanted to be a sports reporter when I grew up.

Female sports reporters back then were rarer than a publicity-avoiding Kardashian today. Archie Bunker was still grousing about "women's libbers" and, even though Title IX had been in place since the Nixon administration, girls liking sports outside of figure skating or gymnastics was still seen as weird and unfeminine. Weird. Just what every tween girl wants to be.

The Christmas I was in eighth grade, there was a little cylinder-shaped gift under the tree for me. I unwrapped it to discover the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, with a note attached that I was getting a year's subscription. I got one every Christmas through my high school years.

That gift was more than a magazine. It was my parents telling me I wasn't weird for liking sports, that I had a talent, that they believed in me and wanted to encourage me to pursue my dreams.

It was an affirmation from the most important people in my world.

What a perfect gift for someone entering their insecure, awkward teenaged years. To this day, I don't know if my parents fully realize what it meant to me. In case you don't, Mom and Dad, thanks again.

Share your Christmas present memories in the comments.

Joining us, as always, is our holly-jolly Moms Council.

 is a freelance reporter with Patch. Julie a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in 2010.

 works in public relations. She has a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. They are expecting their fourth child this winter. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

 is the newest member of the  and past president of Avon Early Childhood PTA. She will also be blogging for Avon Patch. If you're a parent and want to share your experiences raising children in Avon, you, too, can .