The holidays are a great time for reminiscing about all the festive times we’ve celebrated with family and friends through the years. Which reminds me of that Christmas when I received one gift that really stands out.

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While I’ve been a part of many wonderful Christmases, I think the one gift that really stands out was given to me by my grandparents when I was around 8 or 9 years old. It was a replica Green Bay Packers helmet (now, keep in mind, I grew up in central Wisconsin, only about 90 miles west of Green Bay) and there was no way I’d thought I’d get one.

I received this gift back in the late 70’s, and there two things big things, I thought, that were standing in the way of not getting one.

First, while this was the successful ‘Purple People Eaters’ era of the Vikings, the Packers, meanwhile, were horrible back then. I mean terrible! And even though me and my fellow Wisconsinites were still fans, the team, just did not do well each season.So there wasn’t a real huge demand for Packers merchandise.

A bigger obstacle standing in my way, though, was that fact that this was a time well before the NFL became the monster it currently is at selling team apparel. Sure, you could get a Packers sweatshirt or hat if you looked around, but a replica jersey or helmet just weren’t widely available– and certainly weren’t worn in public like they are now.

You pretty much had to head down to the Lambeau Field gift shop or a sporting goods store in Green Bay to purchase one. Which is what my grandparents– thanks to my uncle who lives in there– did, without me knowing about it.

So, I was incredibly surprised– and incredibly happy– when I opened that round-looking package under the tree and found the familiar yellow helmet with the green and white stripe and green ‘G’ on the sides. It’s still a vivid Christmas memory for me now, some 35 years later.

What’s the most memorable Christmas present you’ve received?

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