Learning to sew

I want to learn to sew and I am asking for a sewing machine for Christmas. Are there any particular features I should be looking for in a sewing machine?

I'd definitely get the free-arm. That enables you to sew around small areas, like armholes, a lot easier. Also, pay attention to the stitches that the models have. Sewing machine stitches range from the basic to fancier, so depending on what you want to sew and how intricate you want to be, that is an important feature, too.