Keeping an Online Family Christmas List

Like most families, mine has long used the “hint passing” method of knowing what to buy each other for Christmas. You know how it works; one of us will casually hint to another how we would like something and that information will work its way around the rest of the family until someone decides to make the purchase.

Obviously, this is a very inefficient system. News of a good gift idea may not spread past the first person it reaches, leaving us scratching our heads about what to get each other. Add to this the fact that several members of our family are chronically difficult to buy for (I’m looking at you, Dad) and it’s anyone’s guess what to buy. Gift cards, anyone?

Making on Online Family Christmas List

To combat this problem, I came up with a modern, web 2.0 solution using Google Docs. To those who’ve never used it, think of it as an online version of Microsoft Word. You can create and edit a document directly in your browser, then share this document with others and give them permission to edit it, too.

Here’s how to start your own online family Christmas list.

1. Go over to Google Docs. If you don’t have an account, you’ll have to create one. Don’t worry; it’s quick, easy, and completely free.
    
2. Create a new document and name it “{Last Name} Family Christmas List {Year}”, substituting your family’s last name and the year as appropriate. Mine, for example, is named “Ward Family Christmas List 2007″.
    
3. Write the rules at the top so everyone knows how to use it (see below). Then write every family member’s name on its own line.
    
4. Go to the “Share” tab. Click the “As collaborators” radio button and write every family member’s name in the box. Then click “Invite collaborators.” Everyone on the list will receive an email inviting them to view and edit the document.

How the Online Family Christmas List Works

The rules couldn’t be much simpler. Be sure to copy and paste them into your Christmas list so everyone knows what to do.

Rule #1. If you’d like something for Christmas, add it to the list under your name. Give as little or as much detail as you like.

Rule #2. If you have a good idea for a gift for someone else, add it under his or her name.

Rule #3. If you buy an item for someone else, highlight, strike through it, or otherwise mark it as bought so they don’t get it twice.

That’s it. The only real drawback is the slight reduction in surprise factor, but you’re always free to buy something not on the list, and keeping it from the children’s eyes is pretty easy. The important thing is that everyone can communicate exactly what they want to everyone else without relying on hint passing.

What are you waiting for? The sooner you start your own online family Christmas list, the sooner you can stop guessing about what to buy them!

P.S. Obviously, this method works great for any gift-giving holiday. Feel free to use it for birthdays, Hannukah, or whatever else you find useful.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 26th, 2007 at 7:30 am and is filed under Family Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.