As Christmas Day nears, and many of us head to the shops to satisfy any last minute present requests, it looks like there’s just one gift topping the list among children in the UK.
According to the Royal Mail’s annual list of children's Christmas wishes, the most common present kids are asking for this year is a video game console.
Games consoles include the Xbox, Sony PlayStation and Sega Mini Drive, that allow you to play popular video games, either alone or with friends.
The list is based on an analysis of the thousands of letters the Royal Mail receives from children each year writing to Santa Claus as part of a free service it provides.
In addition to Lego and bikes, which came in second and third place, respectively, it looks like many of those sending letters are keen readers, with books coming in fourth place on the list.
Books did not appear in last year’s list, nor did they feature in 2017’s list.
There were three new additions to the top 10 this year, with baby dolls, clothes and the increasingly popular L.O.L Dolls taking the last three spots.
You can see the full list below.
“His special team of elves at Royal Mail enjoy taking a peek at what children are asking for, and helping Santa reply to these special letters.”
But those looking to satisfy their children’s present requests should take caution this year, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).
Earlier this month, the LGA warned that counterfeit versions of toys such as L.O.L Surprise! Dolls are being sold in the UK and could pose risks to children, such as choking.
The organisation is urging consumers to look for the CE safety standard mark on the toys to ensure they have been verified as safe.
Shoppers should also look out for grammar and spelling errors on packaging, buy from well-known and reputable outlets, and avoid cheap offers that look too good to be true, because they "probably are", says the LGA.
Fake toys are more common than you’d think, with latest figures showing that more than 4.2 million counterfeit products, including toys, were seized by councils over the last year.
