My daughter’s letter to Santa was much simpler when she was 4 than it is at 10.
Laura Johnston/cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio — ‘Tis the season for picture taking. The matching plaid holiday card portrait, the kids squirming on Santa’s lap, the family reunions packed into the living room.
(Flashbulbs and wine/ And “Hold that smile,” sing the Barenaked Ladies in the song, “This Year’s Christmas Pic.”)
But there’s another photo you should take every year: your kid’s wish list to Santa Claus.
The lists are a touchpoint, a time capsule of children’s interests and wider trends. And they’re hilarious to look back on.
This year, my 13-year-old son is asking for Awok, a Chinese joint in Montrose that is his favorite meal at his grandparents’ house. He also wants Nike gift cards, a Darius Garland “The Land” Cavs jersey, Crocs and a bucket hat. (Apparently ‘90s trends are back.)
My 10-year-old daughter wants a crimper, to replicate the hairstyle of Taylor Swift, circa her debut album. She wants Starbucks gift cards and a Stanley (for the uninitiated, a $45, 40-ounce water cup with a handle) and Drunk Elephant skincare products. The idea of tweens spending hours pampering their faces with expensive soap, serum and cream routines seems bizarre. But it speaks to the power of Tiktok and Instagram influencers peddling to girls, and filtering down to girls who aren’t even on social media. https://www.glossy.co/beauty/glossy-pop-newsletter-the-tween-skin-care-market-is-now-a-thing-and-its-booming/
It’s a big jump from the list six years ago. I recently found a photo of my daughter’s 4-year-old, chubby, marker-streaked handwriting all in caps, with N, S and Z printed backwards, “nail polish, fabric markers, underwear, Barbies, surprises.”
I probably didn’t appreciate the simplicity then.
Three years ago, at the height of COVID, my kids sent letters to Santa, asking for Legos and craft kids – stuff they could have fun with at home, on their own. On the back of the envelope, my son wrote in green marker, “I’m sorry for all the bad things that I did,” followed by a frownie face. Hilarious.
Over the years, the lists have been filled with Hot Wheels sets, PJ Masks toys, Peppa Pig figures, American Girl dolls, a rainbow of Sharpie markers, a Baker Mayfield jersey, a Josh Allen jersey, a dart board, a Minnie Mouse race track (which did not actually exist), a remote control car.
It was more fun to buy toys then than gift cards now. Though I still love to give surprises that send them into spasms of delight, like last year’s tickets to see “Hamilton.”
I still remember the joy of opening the gifts I pined for, whether it was the Barbie Hawaiian Miko doll my grandma gave me, or the red Limited sweatshirt I found when I sneakily peeked under the wrapping when I was in middle school.
Very few gifts end up living in your memory, whether you gave or received. Experiences tend to bring more happiness than possessions. But you may remember how tearing open that perfect, longed-for gift made you feel.
And if not, at least you’ll have photo evidence of how adorable your kids’ wish lists were.
