You have a wonderful son to go to the time and expense of finding you a featherweight for Christmas! I have to agree with the others about the case. Since you will more than likely want to display the small machine to show off to others what a great son you have, the case isn't that big of a deal. The older ones really do have a distinct odor due to the glue that was used to make them. I have one of those totes with wheels so I can keep an extra pair of scissors, thread, etc and just put in the machine and go. It turns out my button hole maker and zig/zag attachments from my 15-91 work with the FW. So figure out what attachments that you will use - you can no on-line and find the manual for free and then visit thrift stores from time to time. But I would recommend you oil it up first. If you are used to the machines made today they don't require any oiling. I found that the previous owners of mine were fairly good at oiling, but failed to clean the lint from the feed dogs.
They are such hearty little machines so I hope enjoy it.