The Family Christmas List, Sorted: Why More Parents Are Sharing Wishlists This Year

In partnership with HipHip

Every December, the same message lands in the family group chat: “What does she actually want this year?” Someone replies with a vague “maybe something Lego?”, someone else buys it, and by Boxing Day there are two of the same set and a child who is still waiting for the thing they really asked Santa for.

It does not have to work that way. More parents are now sharing a Christmas wishlist with the people who love their children, and it is catching on for good reason.

Why wishlists work

Most of us know the feeling of being handed a vague brief and a deadline. Grandparents and godparents are often the most keen to get it right, and the least sure what is on a child’s list this year. A clear list takes the pressure off them and gives you a better chance of the right present turning up under the tree.

There is a kinder side too. Nobody wants a pile of unwanted gifts, and a shared list means no duplicates and far less waste. Think of it as a wedding list for children, only with more glitter.

The awkwardness, addressed

Plenty of us love receiving a wishlist but feel a little odd sending one. It can feel like we are telling people what to buy. In reality, it is usually the most helpful thing you can do. Relatives would rather get it right than guess, and it saves them the stress of buying for a child they might only see a few times a year.

Meet HipHip

HipHip is a new website that makes children’s parties and Christmas easier to organise. It was created by Lauren, a former London events chef, who noticed how much admin came with her daughter’s friends’ birthday parties.

Here is how it works:

• Create an invite and share it in a few easy steps.
• Collect RSVPs and dietary requirements in one place, so there is no more scrolling through the school WhatsApp group.
• Build a wishlist for your child and share it with the invite, or separately with family and friends.
• Choose a bigger gift, such as a scooter, and let friends and family chip in towards it, so your child can say who bought it for them.

The wishlist feature has been the most popular so far. Parents of invited children do not have to guess what to buy for a child they barely know, and children get gifts they really want.

Your Christmas list in a few minutes

HipHip’s own take on the season is simple: a little less gift admin, a lot more Christmas magic. If you are tempted to try it, you can create a Christmas wishlist for your child and send it to family and friends in a few steps. Santa loves a list. So does Granny.

A few tips for sharing your list

• Add a mix of price points, so there is something for every budget.
• Include one bigger gift people can contribute to together.
• Send it early. Family often start shopping in November.
• Keep it short. A few well-chosen ideas beat a long list.

This article is in partnership with HipHip, which is featured in The Address Book.