"A good book" is all David C. McClelland, professor of Psychology, wants under his tree. "Since there are so few of them, I'm hoping one will appear out of nowhere," he added.

Richard C. Marius, director of the Expository Writing program, also wants "some good prose" for Christmas. Were the Class of '83 entirely composed of magnanimous Santa elves, he might get it.

One faculty prose-writer, Ezra F. Vogel, professor of Sociology, wants as his present "a little free time" and "a lot of publicity for my book." (Vogel recently published a popular account of Japanese society and economy entitled Japan as Number One. Merry Christmas, Professor.)

John Rawls, Cowles Professor of Philosophy, consulted his wife before deciding that he wanted his grown children, scattered around the country, to come home for the holidays.

Sissela Bok, lecturer on Medical Ethics, agreed that seeing her family together for Christmas would be an ideal present. But she added that she's just finished celebrating her birthday, "so Christmas seems very far away."

A greater public understanding of science would suit Eric J. Chaisson, assistant professor of Astronomy. He didn't mention it, but he might like tenure, too.

Meanwhile, Archie C. Epps III, dean of students, wants a Harvard flag he can hang in front of his home on festive occasions. He defined festive occasions as John Harvard's birthday and football games.

There could be no better present than a good contract for dining hall workers, said Edward Childs, co-chief shop steward of Local 26. "I'd like Harvard to see how Scrooge in 'The Christmas Carol' changed his mind at Christmastime. This could be a New Year's resolution," he added.

"If I had my Christmas wishes from Harvard under my tree, it would have to be a huge tree," Childs added.