Clyde Gray: "It was a GI Joe in Naval Aviator's uniform, with a big, plastic replica of a Navy F9F jet of Korean War vintage." (Photo courtesy: model-mania.uk.com)

Kendall Herold: "My best childhood memories involve American Girl dolls. My favorite was Samantha Parkington, 'a Victorian beauty who makes a difference.' One year, my cousin and I got nightgowns matching Samantha's nightwear." (Photo: K. Herold)

Sherry Hughes: "As a kid, my favorite toy was a red fire engine that belonged to my brother. We pushed that thing around everywhere. LOL!" (Photo Courtesy: Nod's Top Picks)

Brendan Keefe: "My favorite toy was the Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. You would turn a hand crank, then press a button to launch it. My friends and I would then launch it over plants, pets, or anything else in the house." (Photo Courtesy:  otithelis.com)
 

Adam Marshall: "My favorite (although it was not necessarily a toy) was a Daisy BB gun. I grew up on six acres of land and spent hours setting up targets to see how far back I could stand and still hit my target." (Photo Courtesy: Kaboo)

John Matarese: "My favorite childhood toy was a battery powered family of Robots called Zeroids. They rolled around the family room and lit up. They were made by Ideal up until 1978." (Photo: J. Matarese)

Tom McKee: "As I grew up, I liked to build things. At the time, erector sets were popular. My parents got me one and I think I wore out the parts." (Photo Courtesy: SamsToyBox.com)

Kathrine Nero: "Shrinky Dinks, make-your-own anything. My very favorite was a greeting card kit. You could switch out plastic templates to create what my family can attest was an endless supply of cards." (Photo Courtesy: Kids Creativity)

Julie O'Neill: "I loved a cut-throat game of Monopoly with my brother and sister: The thrill of acquiring Boardwalk and Park Place, only to be surpassed by the thrill of my brother landing on them."
 

Tanya O’Rourke: "My favorite present was always a set of Legos. I spent hours quietly piecing together my masterpieces. Now for Christmas, I get my kids some extraordinary Lego project just so I can "help!"  

Steve Raleigh: "When I was a lad of just 10, my parents put a Super Professor's Real Microscope (similar to picture) under the tree. I spent all day and all week looking at bugs, hair, cookie crumbs and whatever I could get my hands on!"

Sarah Walters: "My favorite toy was always Barbie and I still love them. News Anchor Barbie sits on my desk."

Carol Williams: My most memorable Christmas gift was a puppy named Sandy, when I was 5. The gift I most enjoyed giving to my daughter was a kitten named Furball when she was about the same age. (Photo: C. Williams)
 

Brian Yocono: "My favorite toy was anything Matchbox car related. I had little parking garages and would line the floor of our house with masking tape making roads and cities." (Photo Courtesy: Matchbox.com)