The one thing that really stands out about Christmas growing up was how amazing my dad was at giving gifts that sparked my curiosity about the world. Instead of focusing on toys and games, he often chose books (scientific) and kits (RadioShack). While today you can easily find gifts that combine fun and learning, growing up in the '70s and '80s, it was usually one or the other. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy a good toy or game—they could also stimulate imagination and creativity—but it was the books and kits that truly shaped who I would become.

I also had an aunt who loved giving magazine subscriptions. Thanks to her, I had long-running subscriptions to Discover, Scientific American, Omni, and later BYTE. And, of course, the most important one of all: Dungeon!