Rackets and raconteurs

I’ve seen it somewhere that you must craft your wishlist thinking not about what you’re missing or what is running low at home, but rather about the things you wouldn't dare to buy for yourself. So here I am, trying to follow this rule.

My first wish is a certificate for badminton. I’ve been planning to join for several months, but never made it. Sometimes it's because all the spots were booked a week in advance, and other times I hesitated to pay online in advance. I believe the certificate will put my procrastination to an end, and I’ll play this sport with as much joy as I did in my childhood.

On a less practical side, there's a jester collar I found on Avito. Not only does it perfectly match my end-of-the-year energy, but also it is crafted from second-hand jeans. – Elizaveta

Handy gifts and lavish treats

As a very, very practical person, I love my presents (the ones I receive and give others) practical, too; for me, knowing that my gift came in very handy or even is used daily is so heartwarming. So, there’ll be no whimsical ideas on my account. But if you’re anything like me, here are a few entries from my own wishlist. 

A smartwatch, but not the expensive kind, so it wouldn’t be much of a stressor; it’s good for those who love to track things, be that their sleep time or daily activity. I’m a fan of tracking, so I have it on me most of the time and can’t go to a gym without it. Though I do already have it, I still want to upgrade to Huawei Band 10 and am also getting one for my mom. 

Another idea is to get a person something that they feel too stingy to buy themselves. For instance, I can’t bring myself to spend around 1k on a 50-ml hand cream (ex. one by La Roche-Posay), even though I know it's good, but as a gift it’d work just perfectly, especially in winter. Some other options could also be pieces of stationery, exhibition or theater tickets, or some kind of an app subscription. – Marina

Splash and splurge

Once you get a new hobby or pick up a sport, your wishlist grows exponentially – and sometimes, with unexpectedly expensive items.

This year, I got into swimming and I am planning to join several open water races in the summer. What do you need for open water swimming? That’s right, a wetsuit. How much does an average one cost? It’s better not to google it (I warned you). This is fit not for a wishlist, but rather for an “investment list” or maybe even the “maybe we’ll only swim in the pool” plea. Speaking of the pool, I now dream of several fun swimsuits by the Australian brand Funkita, a cool swim cap – maybe with a dinosaur or a pun on it, new reflective goggles, and, of course, Crocs. 

In 2025, I had a crocheting phase. Now I have a whole Pinterest board with crocheting projects in all shapes and sizes, so what’s my main wish? Yarn! Furry yarn, cotton yarn, recycled yarn, glittery yarn, sturdy yarn… In every color of the rainbow. 

I guess the moral is this: if your friends or loved ones have a hobby, one sure way to make them happy is to give them something they practice it with. – Catherine