Making a Photo Christmas Wish List

Sometimes when you are telling family members what you would like for Christmas (or a birthday) there is confusion. I know that sometimes when I am buying for someone, I wonder "is this the right item?" This tip can solve that.

When out and about in town with my 7 year old daughter, she will often see an item she would like to add to her Christmas wish list. I do not have a "smart phone," but my cell phone does take photos. I will snap a picture of the item, trying also to include the shelf price tag. Sometimes she will pose with it for size comparison or wear it if it is clothing to show how it looks.

I save the photo and then "rename" it, putting in the name of the store, what the item is, and the price. Since I can't use spaces in the names of photos on my phone, it may read: walgreenhellokittyswing697, but this is enough to remind me later that it was a Hello Kitty swing play-set at Walgreens and cost $6.97.

These photos are very handy for sending a picture message to relatives who don't know what to buy, and of course I interpret the picture title back into normal language. My daughter collects the plastic "Schleich" brand animal figures, and her grandparents never know which ones she already has. These photos make it possible for them to shop for these without the possibility of duplication! I once had to painstakingly describe, for example, that it's at Tractor Supply and it's the grey horse, no not the one with black mane and tail, and not the one rearing up, but the one with braided mane that is trotting, so on and so forth. It was very confusing. Now they can see exactly which grey horse!

Of course this is applicable for adults too. Notice in my photo that I have shown the specific cutting board I want, and you can see the shelf tag price. Now there is no question of which one!

I can send this to anyone who asks what I want for Christmas by cell phone, and they can double-check it when they're in the store by looking at the photo on their cell phone.