A memorable Christmas of mine stretches back a few years. I was under 10 years old but older than five, I think. I remember unwrapping a big present. It came up to my waist at the time. It was a chemistry set that my mom had picked up at a yard sale. The slightly rusted doors told me it was not new. But I didn't care. I didn't expect it. I was surprised. And so it was a gift in every sense of the word. With kids it seems so important that gifts be a surprise. With teenagers i