My most significant period of anticipation was when I was still in school, and interested in electronics. At some point around three months before my birthday, I discovered that my parents had already bought me my present, but had hidden it in their closet in the bedroom. At regular intervals, when I was sure I wouldn't be caught, I'd sneak into their room to look at the Philips electonics experiment kit, imagining what I'd build with it.
And this weekend another period of anticipation started: in about two months my new green all electric car will arrive, and even though it is not a Tesla I am looking forward to it very much. Not because I want to dazzle others with it, but because I love to drive, and the test drive showed it will be far more enjoyable this way...