So the 1,200 American Christmas lists compiled by the Solutions Research Group matched up pretty well with mine. Here's what I want ("afford"is another matter) for Christmas this year.

1.) A flat-screen TV (35%). Our top priority as well. HDTV coverage in Britain is abysmal; although the Brits love their flat-screen TVs, it's because the average "lounge" (living room) is the size of an American walk-in closet. We'd like something in the range of 45 inches or above, preferably 1080i/p compatible. I'm pushing my wife to check out the Vizio brand; neither of us have walked into a Wal-mart since we've been back to see one. (But there is one in Scottsdale.)

2.) New Windows laptop computer (20%). A work requirement, eventually. My aging T40 ThinkPad is out of warranty.I'm looking for the jolly old elves in the IT department to come through on this one, though. (And count me among the ThinkPad faithful, although I hope and pray that Lenovo hasn't screwed the platform up.) I've run XP on 512 Mbytes for three years. 512!!!

3.) New digital camera (17%). We're OK here, as we already purchased another one when ours was accidentally packed. Did you know it takes four months to ship goods from the UK through to the West Coast? Bloody DHS delayed it even longer, too.

4.) New Windows desktop computer (14%). A real possibility, although "new" is relative. Like many others, my desktop is an ongoing Frankenstein's monster of new and old parts. I'm not like the Lance Ulanoffs and Jim Louderback's, tooling along on the latest hardware. I do manage to scrounge a CPU or motherboard, usually arguing that my laptop is best served for Word and that's about it.

5.) GPS navigation system for the car (10%). I really like GPSes, especially for the cat's cradle of UK roads. I saw minicab drivers use little text-based ones the size of a standard FM radio. They're not perfect; one of the biggest arguments I ever undertook with my wife was during our honeymoon in Ireland, when a new motorway hadn't been programmed in, and we ended up on a Mr. Toad-style drive through the countryside. In the States, though, I see less of a need, especially as they seem to be heading into cell phones anyway.

6.) New cell phone (10%). Not if it means a new two-year contract. I'm still tempted to unlock my cell phone, as Sascha Segan reports. Oddly enough, unlocked cell phones are de rigeur overseas.

7.) New digital video camera (9%). We almost picked one of these up for our honeymoon. But my wife and I really enjoy digital photography, and I think we'll save the video for our children -- who will probably wonder why our wedding wasn't on YouTube.

8.) and 9.) Nintendo Wii (9%) and Sony PlayStation3 (7%) I'm a bit surprised not to find the Microsoft Xbox 360 here. I assume most everyone has one by now. I was always a PlayStation fan, owning both of the first two consoles. But the PS3 pricing just left me cold, and many of the games are going to be on both platforms anyway. And while I'd love to own a Wii, I think my wife would give me "the look" if I brought home two consoles.

10.) Blu-ray or HD DVD player (6%). Note the "or". That's why this is last on the list, I'd suspect. I really want a next-gen DVD player, but I'm not an early adopter. (Come on -- reporters are notoriously cheap.) I suspect Blu-ray is going to win out, but there's too much uncertainty still. And yeah, I want to bet on a winning horse here.

Personally, I suspect we'll shell out for a flat-screen this year. But we're also thinking about our future, including snapping up a cheap(er) home (we currently rent) so we'll have to factor that in, too. And heck, it's fun just shopping. BONUS LIST: straight from the UK, here's an additional list of toys the Brits are coveting:

1.) My Home Dentistry Kit (Mattel). This is my feeble attempt at humour.

The real list includes: A voice changer mask inspired by the Doctor Who series, the Optimus Prime toy inspired by Transformers The Movie the Flytech Dragonfly remote-controlled flying insect, and a hand-held electronic device which plays word games called Say What?.