As You Wish
Make Your Own List

By Ellen Thompson

Santa receives millions of wish lists each year and somehow he gets to the bottom of each one in time for Dec. 24. Family and friends only get a quick glance, before the folded piece of paper containing all their loved one’s holiday wishes are tossed in the mailbox for an express trip to the North Pole.

There are other ways, though, for family and friends to get more than a quick glance at that stamped wish list, not to mention, save themselves an ounce of embarrassment or disappointment this year when the holiday rolls around. All they have to do is write one of their own and then convince others to join in.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah, writing up a holiday wish list, though to some might sound greedy, is a good way to make sure the gift-giving process plays out a little more smoothly this year as opposed to the years passed. After all, who wants a frustrated 12-year-old who didn’t get the right color action figure stomping around the house as a disappointed mother prepares dinner with the kitchen set she didn’t want.

There are a handful of ways to set up a holiday wish list, which is simply a list of what you wish to receive or happen this holiday season. The first would be the old fashioned way of writing it all down on a piece of paper and handing it out to friends or just slipping it under a magnet on the fridge.

The more convenient and foolproof way seems to be via the Internet, this way you don’t get repeat gifts and anyone can view your wishes. All you have to do is log onto a few of the top Internet wish list sites like Amazon.com, Froogle.com or kaboodle.com, and follow the simple direction they have listed. As soon as your wishes are in order all you have to do is click, and within seconds your friends and family are e-mailed a list of your holiday wishes.