| Did you ever wonder if your gifts will WOW your | | | | Christmas. While it's nice to get a gift, many have |
| family and friends, or will be re-gifted or even | | | | needs that money could fill. |
| worse, end up forgotten in a closet corner only to | | | | - Gift Cards: several mentioned wanting to do frilly |
| be found years later? Today you'll learn what's on | | | | things for the home, but feeling guilty to spend |
| people's wish lists for Christmas 2007. | | | | money on such a project, but if they received a |
| Not too long ago, I did a survey and asked | | | | gift card to Lowe's or Home Depot, they'd love it. |
| thousands of people to tell me their top wish for | | | | - Laptops: if a member of your family doesn't |
| Christmas 2007, and was surprised at the results. | | | | have one, what a great gift to give! Everyone |
| Of course, many wish for better health, more | | | | could use and enjoy a laptop! |
| satisfying careers, more time with their family, or | | | | - Toys: and well toys can mean different things to |
| mending broken relationships. And while you can't | | | | different people. For kids, Webkinz are the rage, |
| grant them their wish, you can help them go in | | | | but for teens, an iPod, MP3, Nintendo DS, LCD |
| the right direction, by giving them books, tapes, | | | | TV, WII, Xbox 360, and more. |
| or DVD's that would help them solve their | | | | "I want an Apple iPod touch. The reason is pretty |
| problem. You can also offer to brainstorm with | | | | simple - to use the gorgeous 3.5-inch widescreen |
| them ways to accomplish their wishes, or give | | | | touch screen with wireless access to control the |
| them the gift of your time. | | | | lights and heating system at home." |
| Here are only a few of these more abstract | | | | "I want an MP3 player! I have a long commute to |
| wishes: | | | | work every day, and would like to be able to |
| "I would love to find a way to spend time with | | | | download free audio books that I can listen to in |
| my husband and family." | | | | the car while I drive. I do this at home, but the |
| "I would like to regain my health which has been | | | | downloads are only portable if you have an MP3 |
| deteriorating this year, but it is unrealistic to even | | | | player. This would keep me entertained and happy |
| hope for that. There are some things that money | | | | while I commute." |
| cannot buy." | | | | - Plane tickets: these are great for those who |
| "Peace and a greener pollution free global | | | | have family overseas, or even on the other side |
| community." | | | | of the country. |
| "The one important thing I would most like for | | | | "What I would really like for Christmas this year is |
| Christmas is time with loved ones (especially my | | | | a family trip so that we could see our daughter |
| wife)." | | | | and son-in-law this year. They are living in Kuwait |
| "To reconcile with our daughter." | | | | which is way too far away for me." |
| "My biggest wish for this Christmas is for my | | | | "I want 4 plane tickets; two to TX, and two to |
| wife to spend Christmas with her mother." | | | | NY. I recently had friends move to both of those |
| "My wife has germ cell cancer and has been | | | | places and I will be unable to see them. I quit my |
| feeling very sick. All, I want is for her to feel | | | | job to take care of my grandmother so I will not |
| good enough to enjoy Christmas and help | | | | be able to earn the money to buy the tickets |
| decorate, since she loves that holiday so much." | | | | myself. Christmas is meant to be with those you |
| "For Christmas this year I am hoping for a donor | | | | care about, and I would love to go visit over the |
| match to my mom. She is in need of a kidney | | | | holiday season." |
| transplant and has been on the donor list for over | | | | As you can see, some of the hottest gifts this |
| two years with no luck." | | | | holiday season are not necessarily those you'd |
| "I want an engagement ring and a wedding | | | | think about. Are you listening to your family and |
| proposal from my boyfriend." | | | | friends? Your Christmas gifts this year will be |
| Other's Christmas wish list for 2007 includes things | | | | more meaningful if you only take a little time to |
| that you can buy to give as gifts, and here is just | | | | think about the recipients. Make it the Best |
| a small sampling of these: | | | | Christmas Ever! |
| - Money: a lot of people want money for | | | | |