All I Want for Christmas - Santa Claus

As hard as it may be to believe, Christmas is just a few days away. Many of the world’s children have already sent their letters to some chubby fellow in a bright red suit, hoping that they will be showered in gifts after the said rotund guy makes his way down the chimney. Part of us never really wants to grow up, I suppose, and that’s so many of us still compile (officially or unofficially) a wish list around this time of year. I am no exception.

While I don’t really expect to receive any of these this year, I thought it would still be a fun exercise to put together a short list of things that I want for Christmas. Feel free to mention your most sought-after gift using the comment form at the end of this post too. Who knows? Maybe Santa is reading Beyond the Rhetoric too. Better still, maybe he’ll buy you some free advertising.

Realistic Wish List

The concept of what is realistic will obviously vary from person to person, so I can only speak from my perspective. It will also, of course, depend on the relationship between the gift giver and the gift receiver. With that in mind, here are some “realistic” gifts that I wouldn’t mind receiving.

  • Wii Points Card: Even though I’ve had my Nintendo Wii for over two years now, I have yet to download any from the Virtual Console. Some Wii Points would certainly get me started.
  • Xbox Live Arcade Points: Having recently purchased an Xbox 360, I’ve already started getting some games online, like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. More points will aid in this enjoyment.
  • Vancouver Canucks Touque: You’ve got to support the hometown hockey team. I have a Canucks cap, but my old touque (my Australian friends call it a beanie) needs a replacement.

Slightly Less Realistic Wish List

Bumping up the budget a little further, a whole world of additional opportunities present themselves. If you’re feeling generous, this freelance writer wouldn’t mind a little something under the Christmas tree this year.

  • HTC Fuze: I’ve been itching to update my cell phone for some time and the HTC Fuze (the AT&T variant of the HTC Touch Pro) is easily one of my favorites. I’m also considering the Nokia E71, Palm Treo Pro, and Nokia N97.
  • Asus Eee PC 1000H: Looking through the netbook market, this is one of the best. It’s got a 10-inch screen and a real hard drive, boasting some of the best build quality at a reasonable price point.
  • Wacom Tablet: While I am certainly far from being a PhotoShop expert, I do dabble a little in image editing. A Wacom tablet would make that a lot easier for me.

Very Unlikely Wish List

When money is no object, the sky is the limit.

  • Apple MacBook Pro: Looking at the rest of the Dot Com Pho crew, they’ve all converted to the Altar of Steve. Having a Mac around would open up some more product review opportunities for me too.
  • Lexus IS250 AWD: Getting a high-end sports car would be fun, but not very practical. The IS250 AWD is not the fastest car out there, but it’s actually useful. The IS-F would be even better.
  • A House in Vancouver: Real estate is always nice.

What I Really Want for Christmas

Yes, I’ve got quite the list of things that I would love to receive for Christmas, but in the grand scheme of things, I’m reasonably happy right where I am. If I really wanted to buy a new cell phone, I can afford to buy it for myself. I feel quite blessed to have that kind of luxury.

For this reason (among several others), what I really want for Christmas is for everyone to open their hearts (and their wallets) to charitable organizations in their area. Whether it be Union Gospel Mission or United Way, remember to support those in need. I don’t need a new netbook, but those less fortunate need a warm meal. If A Charlie Brown Christmas has taught us anything, it’s that we could all use a little love.