Add a few features to website paypal cart

My site uses a cart system consisting of an xml file that holds the product names and related values. It uses ajax to update the cart. I need the following. 1. Currently there is a drop down menu in the cart so the buyer can make his option selection. However the first option is one of the choices and I want it to read 'Select one'. Obviously if they don't select one the form should give an alert. 2. I would like to have another menu added for future use. The products will have a 'select color option' in the near future, but not yet. So I need that prepared. 2. I need to add another option for shipping choices. This would total up in the cart when selected via ajax.