Have you checked it twice?

Do you think you've been naughty or nice!

My Christmas wish-list list for Santa Claus this year is relatively light-on, at least in material goods, anyway.

My youngest keeps pressing me for gift ideas.

I wish that we didn't miss the school bus once a fortnight.

"That's not a proper wish," I'm told.

But it's what I really, really want.

My eight-year-old's wish-list is full of items that need an interpreter or at least some further explanation.

I give up.

She informs me: "GodPods are earbuds like AirPods but they don't cost nearly as much as AirPods."

Her older sister adds: "Which means they don't work!"

This generates a back-and-forth debate, for which GodPods, all-round, would be welcome relief.

At least we're on the same page, now.

To be honest, I thought she was off short skirts.

She recently tried on a white denim skirt but put it straight back after telling me she couldn't walk in it, let alone dance.

My eldest daughter has made a wish-list with a key as to how pressing the wish is: want it, really want it, really, really want it ... are you too having a Spice Girls moment?!

So tell me what you want, what you really, really want.

Thankfully, there is a footnote explaining that all of the items are suggestions only.

Seriously, what is a gold metal spear? Why is it so cheap? Maybe I could do with one too!

Turns out, it's decorative. It's something to put on your desk, sitting pretty. It's not a weapon! Yawn!!

This usually goes on my shopping list.

But if she's suddenly outsourcing her skincare to Santa, I'm happy with that.

MORE MATERIAL GIRL:

Dear Santa,

Here we are again making lists, checking them twice. I swear I only Marie Kondo-ed my Christmas decorations last month; though it might have been in February. It was the only thing I applied the KonMari Method to in the whole house. Anyhow, getting those decorations out again so soon after tidying them up was bitter-sweet, on account of messing up my only one bit of neat!

Here's what's on my Christmas wish-list 2020.

1. More top Australian TV content like Old People's Home for 4-Year-Olds. This heart-warming viewing on the ABC earlier this year gave us something to watch on the box while getting us to think outside the square.

2. More great live bands. Beyond blessed with the quality of musicians who stop by the Border, I'm hoping it keeps up in 2020. On a whirlwind visit for Wodonga Gold Cup on Friday, Birds of Tokyo are circling back for the Blood Moon Tour at All Saints Estate at Wahgunyah on January 7. Then Elton John is swinging by later that month! Here's hoping other big names are in store.

3. Drought-breaking rain. If it's not out of your control, it would make a lot of people happy! It's not lost on me that I asked for fewer wet weekends in my 2016 letter.

4. More dancing. Having started an adult barre class (sounds way more illegal than it is!) two years ago, I really want to perfect my pose turns. Alternatively, I'd settle for not feeling dizzy after just two spins across the room.

5. More time to finish Book Club books or any books. I'm reading Indistractable by Nir Eyal at the moment. Do you think I can get to the end of it? Eyal keeps giving me jobs like deleting the unwanted apps on my phone and switching off notifications for everything. Turns out I have five screens full of apps I didn't know even existed such as FunRace 3D, Farmville 2 and Twisty Arrow.

Season's greetings and warm wishes,

Material Girl