A wish list is for many children as much a part of Christmas as the tree. It is also a good opportunity to talk about what your child dreams of and what is realistic. Here is a simple way to make a wish list with children aged 3 to 9, and some good advice for you on how to handle the wishes.
Why make a wish list?
A wish list gives your child the chance to think about what they would like most, instead of wishing for everything they see. It gives you an overview that you can share with grandparents and the rest of the family. And it can be a cosy project: children like to draw, cut and write to Father Christmas.
How to make the wish list
You do not need a template from the internet. A piece of paper and some pens are enough. Here is a way that works for many families:
- Get paper and pens out. Let your child choose a large sheet or a small card.
- Write a heading. "Dear Father Christmas" or "My Christmas wishes". The youngest can get help writing.
- Draw or cut. Your child draws their wishes. Older children can cut pictures out of adverts and glue them on.
- Write the wishes beside them. Your child says what the drawing shows and you write it down.
- Set a limit. Agree in advance that there can be three to five wishes on the list.
- Decorate the card. Use stars, glitter or small drawings.
- Put it in a special place. In the window, on a plate or in an envelope for Father Christmas.
Give the list a fixed structure
Some families use a simple division so the list is easier to see at a glance. Here is a suggestion:
- Something I wish for. The big wish.
- Something I need. Perhaps a pair of mittens or a new rucksack.
- Something to read or listen to. A book or an audio story.
- Something to do together. An outing, a baking evening or a day off with Mum or Dad.
It is a suggestion, not a rule. It can make it easier to tell relatives what is needed, and it shifts the focus from how many things there are to what your child will enjoy.
Good advice for parents about wishes
- Talk about wishes in good time. Start in November, so your child does not have a thousand wishes just before Christmas.
- Ask why. "What will you do with it?" can tell you much more than the wish itself. Perhaps your child wants to build, draw or play make-believe.
- Make it clear that not every wish will come true. A wish list is a list of dreams, not an order. Better to say it once too often.
- Do not take the wishes too literally. Young children wish for what they have seen at a friend's or in an advert. Some wishes change within weeks.
- Keep track of the list. Write the wishes down and note what others have already given.
- Share the list with the family. Send a photo to grandparents and others. Many like to have something to go by.
- Let your child take part in giving. When your child makes a wish list, they can also make a note for others: "What do you think Granny would like?"
When there are too many wishes
If the list grows, you can help your child choose. Put the wishes in a row and ask: "Which three would you like most?" If your child finds it hard, you can save the rest for the birthday or another time. It is fine to say "not now". That is not a refusal, but a plan.
Many parents want wishes that last longer than New Year. Here you can consider toys that can be used in many ways. Crateit Town is a wooden town that is built set by set and can be coloured and rebuilt. So the wish can grow over time. Also read our Christmas gift guide for children.
Wishes from grandparents
Grandparents often ask: "What do they want?" So write a short list and say what is already covered. You can also suggest shared gifts or experiences. Read more in our post about Christmas gifts from grandparents.
Wishes that cannot be bought
Some of the best wishes cannot be wrapped. It might be a day at the swimming pool, a trip to the grandparents, an evening with pizza or a whole day when your child decides. Talk to your child about how you can also wish for something to do together. Write it on the list alongside the other wishes and let your child draw it.
It can lead to a good conversation, and it can relieve you if the list is otherwise very long. If your child wishes for an experience, you can make a small card or a voucher on paper that your child can open on Christmas Eve. Then the wish is something your child can hold in their hand.
Write a reply from Father Christmas
Some families write a short reply, so your child knows the wish list has been read. It can be something simple: "Thank you for your letter. I read it with joy. I will do what I can." That way you avoid promising something you cannot keep, and your child gets a little experience out of having written. You can also let Father Christmas ask a question back: "What was the best thing you did this year?"
Frequently asked questions
How many wishes should there be on a wish list?
That is up to you. Many families agree on three to five wishes, so the list is easy to take in.
When should my child write the wish list?
Many make it at the end of November or the start of December. Then there is time to talk about the wishes, and others in the family can get shopping.
What do I do if the wish is too big?
Talk about it. Ask what your child likes about the wish and find something similar together. It is also fine to say that the wish must wait until the birthday.
Can a young child make a wish list?
Yes. Your child can draw and you can write what your child says. The important thing is that you do it together.
See Crateit Town, a wooden town that can grow set by set.
