Families Go Online for Holiday Wish Lists, Shopping, Greetings

AUSTIN — On the Hill family’s Web site, 9-year-old Andrew has a page that shows family and friends what he wants for Christmas.

His 11-year-old sister, Elizabeth, has a section of handy links to sites where they can shop for items on her holiday wish list.

The Hills are joining thousands of others going online to send holiday greetings, photos, recipes and more, according to a survey released recently by Dell Computer Corp.

“We just always used 1/8the Internet 3/8 for everything, so celebrating the holidays seemed natural. I do all of my shopping online. All of our family is connected so it’s just a real easy way to stay in touch,” Shelli Hill said.

“My kids have sent some Christmas cards online and they’re having lots of fun.”

Internet experts say designing family home pages for specific occasions is a growing trend as more households get connected and Web design gets simpler.

No longer is it necessary to type in complicated codes or learn computer languages. Users can buy Web design software or use one of several online services that offer free space and programs.

“I think that a lot of the things they do in their normal life, we’re trying to make it easier for them to do online,” said Mark Feldman, senior producer at Yahoo GeoCities, one of the sites that offer free space for personal Web pages.

According to Dell’s TechKnow Generation 2000 survey, based on interviews of 1,001 random computer users, 61% said they have a family Web site or are interested in creating one.

The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

A random Web search turned up sites showing family photos, party invitations, wish lists and newsletters.

Barbara Kiebel of Englewood, Colo., has received electronic holiday newsletters from family spread out all over the country.

“I hadn’t heard from my niece for years until she realized we both had e-mail,” Kiebel said.