Holiday wishlist: Christmas, New Year and Secret Santa

December is the month with the most gifts and the least time for them. In Ukraine, St Nicholas Day (December 6), Christmas and New Year come one after another, and there’s usually an office Secret Santa on top. A wishlist made in advance saves you from the rush — yours and that of everyone giving you gifts.

Start by mid-November

The holidays come close together, so it’s best to have your wishlist ready by mid-November: that’s when most people start thinking about gifts, and orders still have time to arrive.

One wishlist or several

It’s easier to split them:

• “St Nicholas” — small treats, often for kids;
• “Christmas and New Year” — the main gifts from family and close friends;
• “Secret Santa” — things within the budget your group agreed on.

In Wish1UP each List has its own link and privacy settings, so your family sees one and your colleagues another.

What to add to a winter wishlist

• cozy — blankets, warm socks, candles, nice mugs;
• wintery — gloves, a scarf, a thermos, hand cream;
• festive — ornaments from independent makers;
• experiences — ice skating, a concert, a holiday spa day;
• for the year ahead — a planner, a course, something you’ve wanted to start.

A kids’ wishlist

Parents usually make the kids’ wishlist and send it to grandparents, godparents and family friends:

• add age and size for clothes and toys;
• add specific sets, not just “a building set” — there are hundreds;
• keep a few inexpensive items;
• turn on reservations, so grandparents don’t buy two identical sets.

Secret Santa with wishlists

In Secret Santa each participant anonymously gives a gift to one person. The usual problem is gifts “just to have something”: nobody knows what the recipient wants. Wishlists fix that:

1. Agree on a budget.
2. Everyone makes a short wishlist within it — 3–5 items.
3. Draw pairs any way you like.
4. Everyone gives something from their recipient’s list.

Even a small gift becomes something the person actually wanted.

Sharing with family

• Send the link to the family chat — the List opens right away.
• Show your QR code when you get together.
• Make the List private if you don’t want everyone with the link to see it: people send a request and you grant access.

When the whole family is giving, reservations prevent duplicates — and in Wish1UP they’re anonymous, so the surprise under the tree stays a surprise. More in “Wishlist with gift reservations”.

Wish1UP is a free iPhone app, no sign-up needed: download on the App Store.