A little Irish kid is hoping he won't be on the naughty list this year with Santa set to arrive in just a few days time.
The little boy admitted he wasn't on his best behaviour this year, saying: “Sorry for misbehaving this year. I tried to be nice this year but it didn’t always work out. I’ll try harder next year.”
An Post receives 125,000 letters to Santa from children every Christmas – and here’s a sneak peek at some of them.
Each year – since 1985 – the Irish postal service invites kids to send in their Christmas lists, so they can deliver them to the North Pole. All those who write to Santa get a response.
An Post say the letters start arriving into the offices as early as June, though the bulk of the letters land in December.
Another went for the charm offensive: “First of all, I would like to thank you for last year’s amazing surprise. This year I would please like Pokemon Brilliant Diamond, Lego Mario, Hot Wheels, Pokemon cards, a board game and Lego.”
One correspondent had a long – expensive - list for the man in red: “Here’s my list, I would like a drone, a PlayStation VR headset, Yu-gi-oh Kings Court box-set, Back for Blood for PS4. I hope you get this soon!”
An Post’s Eimear Breen says the requests show traditional toys are still the top favourite. Lego and Hot Wheels cars and racetracks are as popular as ever, as are Pokemon, sports gear and books. Kids still ask for a “surprise” from Santa.
She says letter-writers should always remember to include their address, so that Santa can reply. The biggest draw for kids is that the elves send back a Christmas card to every child that writes.
The annual tradition has been running for more than 30 years now, meaning those who first wrote in when it began are now helping their own children to write their letters.
The letters are full of glitter and the odd sweet treat for the reindeers.
Ruth Kellher and Feargal Purcell are part of the team that ensures all the letters make it to the North Pole in good time for Christmas.
“We’ve received so many of the children’s letters,” said postal worker Feargal. “We’re very busy here in the workshop.”
An Post even got Santa to send out a special message to everyone who wrote to him. “I read every single letter. Rudolph asked me to remind you to leave out some carrots, along with some hoof sanitiser. Remember to get to bed early Christmas eve!”
