Jules Peck - Director of JP People Solutions, an NLP Master Practitioner, Coach and Trainer and someone who always gets what she wants for Christmas - teaches us how to predetermine our Christmas haul using advanced communication techniques:

The Embedded Command

The trick here is to emphasise what you want by lowering your voice slightly as you say it (practice makes perfect) - and will not raise too much suspicion. Think of the M&S ads - "it's your Marks & Spencer". Instant ownership and a compelling need to buy Percy Pigs. So try this for size: "I was walking down the road yesterday and saw the most beautiful car - a red Ferrari. I thought to myself now, now what a great looking Ferrari that is..."

The Metaphor

Tell your partner a story. The implied command being - I want this - get it for me for Christmas. Something along the lines of "Wow - did you see what Kim bought for Roger? The most fantastic red Ferrari. He is one lucky guy. What a brilliant present. He must have been delighted. I've always thought they had a great relationship...... Of course the sub text and implied command here is 'it would make me very happy to receive this car and as a result - our relationship will bloom'. Irresistible.

The Nested Metaphor

Think Ronnie Corbett's armchair anecdotes. Start a story with, "I met Joe at the restaurant. He had a terrible experience with John. He said to him..." The more complicated the story, with lots of "he said, she said etc", the more confused your partner will become. Just before her eyes glaze, drop in what you would like them to buy you for Christmas. Just the word: "Ferrari". The suggestion is now resting safely in their subconscious.

The Manipulative Approach (As if the others aren't)

This one must be timed well. As your partner is on the cusp between wakefulness and sleep, whisper the words "Ferrari, Ferrari" softly and gently into her ear. If she jumps out the bed with a crazed look on their face, you've timed it wrongly. If her reply is gentle snoring - well, there's always tomorrow night to practice....

Reverse psychology

The subconscious can struggle to process negatives. So how about this one: "Whatever you do, and as much as it would be a complete dream, do not buy (try embedded command on the buy) me a Ferrari. It's too frivolous to consider right now (do the embedded command here too).

Hypnosis

If all else fails, how about booking your partner a couple of hypnotherapy sessions. Go along with them for moral support and, as the hypnotic induction takes place, have your Ferrari mantra at the ready.