Wii Wish You a Merry Christmas

With the 2007 holiday shopping season in full swing, it is once again a mad frenzy to find a Nintendo Wii. For two years running, the Wii is one of the top items on Santa's list for kids from 6 to 60.

Back in the early 80's, my video game passion was for the Atari 2600. The Atari was a simple game - move a lever and push a button - that provided me with hours of entertainment while awaiting the birth of my second child. Wouldn't you know that he would become the video game connoisseur in the family.

Since then, gaming consoles have continued to advance with technology and have become far too complicated for this aging mom. My hand-eye coordination was far more useful for preventing spilled milk than it was figuring out whether to push the triangle or the circle.

Recently I had an opportunity to peruse the Nintendo Wii and I instantly fell in love. While the graphics aren't nearly at the same level as the Playstation 3, the Wii can truly be called a family game. I had not enjoyed video gaming this much since my beloved Atari. The gaming interaction the Wii provides reminded me of the now defunct video arcades where as a youth, I spent hours upon hours playing skee-ball and pinball.

After a few rounds of Wii bowling (and one sore arm later) I made a note to throw out the Jane Fonda workout tapes and buy a Wii!

It was November and I knew I'd have my work cut out for me. Although Nintendo has released close to 14 million consoles this year, with promises to release more before Christmas, I have yet to see one on any store shelf. Yet dozens can be found on eBay for as much as $750.00!

For weeks, I studied Wii Olympics on the internet to develop a buying strategy. I searched online retailers until the wee hours of the morning. I visited every possible brick and mortar store within reasonable driving distance. I sweet talked the store clerks into revealing their delivery dates. At the end of my research, I found myself no closer to achieving the gold medal and the ultimate prize - a Wii in my living room.

Then I got a lucky break. A disgruntled store clerk gave me an inside tip that they would be receiving a shipment of Wii consoles and told me they would be handing out tickets starting at precisely 5:30 am on a very cold Thursday morning.

When the alarm went off at 4:00 am on that big day, I hopped out of bed, and still dressed in my pajamas, I braved the cold to stand in line for my golden ticket. Surprisingly, there were only a handful of people in front of me. I was happy and confident that there would be a Wii under the Christmas tree this year.

The chit-chat with my fellow Wii hunters was light and cheerful. No one dared say, but I believe we all felt like winners that day. As eyes looked on and breaths were held, the store manager emerged with a handful of tickets and instructions on claiming our prize. One by one, he handed those before me their ticket and then it was my turn.

He looked at me sincerely and said, "I'm so sorry, we only had eight."

I was ninth in line. A day late and a dollar short. The first one to be let down that morning. His words were colder than the winter air. I quietly turned around and walked back to my car for the longest 2 minute drive I've ever experienced.

For those who were lucky enough to find a Wii for Christmas this year, treasure the joy it brings to your loved ones and know just how fortunate you are.

As for me, I will wait until the holiday rush is over and try, try again. I remain hopeful that one day this little mommy will go Wii, Wii, Wii...all the way home.