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How to use the Christmas wish list maker
- Choose a layout. Want, need, wear, read gives four boxes, one for each kind of gift. Numbered list gives up to 12 lines with a check box beside each.
- Type a name and the year. They print at the top of the list, so each child's list is easy to tell apart.
- Fill in the wishes. Put one idea per line. Each box has room for three lines on a full page and two on a half page.
- Pick one or two lists per page and a color. Two per page saves paper and fits a card or an envelope when folded.
- Print on US Letter at 100% scale, or choose Save as PDF to email the list to family. Tick Print blank for lines only so kids can write and draw their own.
Your wishes are built into the page in your browser and are not sent to our server. Use Copy link to save the list as a link you can open again.
What is the want, need, wear, read gift rule?
The want, need, wear, read rule (sometimes called the four gift rule) limits Christmas gifts to four per child: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Families use it to keep gift lists balanced and spending predictable, and to make sure at least one gift is practical.
- Want: the fun one, such as a toy, game or craft kit. Let the child choose this freely.
- Need: something useful they would get anyway, like a backpack, sports gear or a water bottle.
- Wear: pajamas, a hoodie, a hat and gloves, or shoes for the season.
- Read: a book, a comic, a magazine subscription or an audiobook.
Some families add a fifth line, "something to do" or "something to share," for an outing or a family game. Use the bonus wishes box for that.
Wish list ideas by age
| Age | Want | Need | Wear | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | Building blocks | Night light | Footed pajamas | Picture book |
| 6–9 | Art kit | Lunch box | Winter hat | Early chapter book |
| 10–13 | Board game | Desk lamp | Hoodie | Graphic novel |
| Teens | Headphones | Backpack | Sneakers | Novel or journal |
Adults can use the same layout for a family gift exchange. If your group draws names, pair the list with a Secret Santa questionnaire, and tuck cash gifts into a printable money envelope.
Tips for a useful wish list
- Be specific. "Blue 20-inch bike" is easier to shop for than "a bike." Add a size for clothes and shoes.
- List more than one idea per box so the giver can choose by budget or what's in stock.
- Print two per page when you need copies for grandparents or a classroom.
- Let young kids draw. Print it blank and let them draw each wish, then write a word under it.
- Send it early. Mail or share the list by early December so family has time to order.
- Save a PDF each year to see how wishes change as kids grow.
This maker uses original designs and doesn't use any character or brand artwork, so it is safe to print for school or church groups.
Christmas wish list FAQ
Is this Christmas wish list printable free?
Yes. It is free to fill in and print with no account, watermark or paid download. Print from your browser or choose Save as PDF.
What does want, need, wear, read mean?
It is a four-gift rule: one thing the person wants, one thing they need, something to wear and something to read. It keeps gift giving balanced and the budget predictable.
Can I fill in the wish list before printing?
Yes. Type the wishes into the boxes and they appear on the list in the preview. Tick Print blank if you would rather write by hand.
Can I print two wish lists on one page?
Yes. Choose Two lists per page to print two half-page copies of the same list, which is handy for sending one to each set of grandparents.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The list is built in your browser and is not sent to our server. Use Copy link to keep your list as a link.