When you're a kid, you certainly are very materialistic...some of us grow up a little, but most people are pretty fond of their stuff throughout their lives.
Although, I have great memories of gifts and things as a kid, my best holiday memory comes from the Millenium Ball in London when I went to visit friends for the Y2K celebration. We drank copious amounts of alcohol, met new people, and had a blast while watching the hands of Big Ben strike midnight while a shower of fireworks went up and down the Thames. I also bought a sausage on a roll from a vendor and had some greasy fish & chips from a local hospital cafeteria that night (only open restrooms in the vicinity)...also, along the lines of Luda's thinking, there was this really cute girl from northern Britain...well, it was a really nice holiday.