“I am told this has been a practice for the past three to four years here. You choose the things you like in the department store, give the list to the gift registry staff and tell your family and friends about it.

We have many Christmas practices that I enjoy. One of the fun yuletide activities in the lead up to 25 December is Kris Kringle, Manito-Manita, bunot-bunot, secret Santa or the exchanging of gifts.

From my childhood to the workplace, there has always been a sort of raffling off of names at Christmas time. We draw lots to see whom we give gifts to. From then until now, my friends, colleagues or family members and I do our best to keep the name of the person we get during the drawing of lots as confidential as possible. We try to keep it that way until the agreed upon gift-giving date and event — a big reveal, so to speak.

During my primary school years, we would give weekly or even daily uplifting messages, a treat like candy or a small Christmas ornament to put a smile on our Kringle’s face. The delivery of such little notes and presents done secretly and in amusingly sleuth-like ways, the better to keep the giver’s identity a secret.

I have had to follow simple guidelines and particularly interesting categories or themes for gift-giving, such as something tiny, big, round, cute, environment-friendly, retro, traditional, hard to find, sparkly and slimy. Then there’s the practical guide on how much to spend on your gift. From P10 to over P500 for the school and work exchange gifts. There are also the more generous price ranges for close friends or family members.

This is my first Christmas in seven years where I will be in the Philippines for most of the holiday season. I was surprised to learn a few days ago that wish lists are now given by each participant in the Kris Kringle. My daughter came home from school with a piece of paper containing the name of the person she is supposed to give a gift to. It did not only contain the name of the would-be recipient, but also a list of what that person wishes to receive.

It is a helpful idea to give tips on things you would like to receive from your secret giver. Based on experience, it is hard enough figuring out what to buy for everyone else on your yearly gift list and a few hints can help your shopping trip turn into an enjoyable or even delightful experience. I like that eureka moment when I think I have found a gift that has a pretty good chance of putting a smile on my recipient’s face.

I was doing some window and actual shopping in one of my favorite malls and, to my surprise, there was a cute counter in a festively decorated booth announcing itself as a “Christmas Wishlist Gift Registry.” I have been familiar with wedding, baby shower, baptism and wedding anniversary registries for years. But a Christmas one? This is definitely new to me. I am told this has been a practice for the past three to four years here. You choose the things you like in the department store, give the list to the gift registry staff and tell your family and friends about it.

A day after my daughter showed me her manita’s wish list, my husband showed me two names for another secret Santa we have apparently been included in. He told me the recipients’ respective wish lists would be sent to him and that I should make a list of my own. Practical me thought of things that would fit the P300 budget guideline. I was pleased to type the following: a colorful malong from Cogon, our local market, or maybe an Olaf or Anna (Yes, from the movie Frozen!) face or hand towel. Why “Frozen”? Because “Family is Forever.” But I digress.

I couldn’t help but smile when my husband forwarded the hoped-for list of those we got as our gift exchange recipients. They had both put the same wished-for item, which could easily cost at least three times more than the specified budget.

My point is that although I initially thought of my Kringle’s wish list as a tad bit unrealistic, I realize that is probably why you call it a wish list in the first place. You put it out there because, well, you never know if a certain Saint Nicolas is listening.

I have now revised my wish list to include… world peace.