IAN HOLLOWAY is ready to boost Palace's promotion bid in January with his eye on at least two new additions to his squad.
Instead of thinking about clubs interested in one or two of his players, the manager is itching to get some business done the other way, with the main focus looking towards the forward line.
"This time of year is absolutely vital. It shows you if you've got strength in depth, so I'd like to help," he said.
"I can't wait for January to help my squad and try to add one or two things that, I think, make us even more threatening.
"I can't wait to look at the options that we might have available. I've got some of my own, but we've got a wonderful scouting network and I'm delighted I've got access to that, but with every day that goes by, I'm getting closer to what I might need.
"The shopping list is, as it always is in football, very hopeful. It's very long and it's probably very expensive.
"I'm asking myself, have I been good enough this year to get what I want? Unfortunately, it will be a long, long week after Christmas day."
With the world struggling to come to terms with the recent school shooting in Connecticut, America, Holloway says Christmas is a time not only to enjoy football, but also spend time with loved ones. And the Palace boss revealed goalkeeping coach George Wood's son nearly lost his life last week.
He said: "I want to wish every single person who has even dreamed about watching football, a happy Christmas.
"If there's a better time of the year, and if there's ever an example that we all need to treasure our families, more than what happened last Friday, which was the most tragic thing I think I've ever seen in my life, which I fail to understand. How are those people feeling in America?
"I just want to send them all our love from England and I'm so glad we don't have to face anything like that.
"George Wood's son nearly died in a car accident. His car was written off and it was cut in half. He went across some water, he was driving perfectly safely but he aquaplaned, hit a barrier and he's lucky to be here.
"Truthfully speaking, how lucky are we all? So, please cherish your families, because without that, what else do we have in the world?"
