This is the time of year that everyone wants to know what’s on your Christmas list. Most of us have a few special things that we will mention if a certain gift-giver is inclined to ask.

Christmas lists always remind me of home-buyer lists. They usually contain a few items that we need, but more often, things we would really like to have, in a perfect world.

Earlier this year, we helped a major company with the relocation of their corporate headquarters to Charlotte. As part of the relocation package, company employees were offered a familiarization tour of the area. This is a bus tour where employees (and often spouses) are driven throughout the local area, with an on-board guide directing them to local attractions, potential neighborhoods, and other points of interest. The goal is assist them with their decision whether or not to relocate with their company.

Rarely do children (except for infants) attend these visits. But on this particular tour, a young boy, approximately age eight, accompanied his mother. Throughout the tour, he was well-behaved and particularly attentive, occasionally writing on his clipboard. After a period of time, one of our relocation counselors asked the young boy what he had been writing. He responded “This is my list. My mom said if I can’t find everything on my list, we don’t have to move here.”

His list included Burger King, Taco Bell and ToysRUs. Not places that most adults would consider deal-breakers in buying a home, but these were important to him – really important.

By the end of the tour, he had marked off everything on his list. And while it wasn’t visible during the bus trip, his mom’s list must have been complete as well. She accepted the company’s relocation offer and now lives in Charlotte.

What’s on your list?

By DJ Stephan