Advice as well as requests on the list for Santa

While Yu-Gi-Oh trading cards are at the top of the Christmas wish-list for many New Zealand children, some have decided Santa needed some other tips for his trip downunder.

Telecom said about 6000 emails with greetings and Christmas requests had been sent to Santa so far this year, with the Yu-Gi-Oh cards standing out as the most popular Christmas gift request.

Also among the top 10 wishes were Care Bears, Stink Blasters, Swan Lake Barbies, pogo sticks, and Transformers. Emails showed bicycles were still popular, but scooters now also featured heavily in the wish lists.

Text-messaging Santa also took off this year, with over 15,000 wish messages sent so far.

But a telephone hotline to Santa was still the most popular way of keeping in touch with the North Pole. More than 800,000 children had called so far on Telecom's Santa Line.

Children did not stop at asking for certain gifts of the jolly bearded one, also taking the time to give Santa some safety tips for his visit.

Some more savvy safety messages included:

"All I would like for Christmas please is nice weather, everyone to have a good time... Have a wonderful safe trip and don't forget to put on your safety belt."

"We will leave you a glass of milk and cookies because we know that you will be very busy on Christmas Eve night, and most of the takeaway shops will be closed... I hope you have a safe night and don't crash your sleigh."

"Are your elves getting tired with all their hard work?... I will leave some milk and chocolate for you and some hay for the reindeer on Christmas Eve to help you get through the night. Take care Santa."

And luckily for the big man: "My dad won't put a possum trap in the fire because last Christmas he did."

Some offered interesting festive messages:

"I wish you a Merry Christmas. You are an old man but you are still cool."

"I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas. I wish for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men and to win the (Lotto) Powerball Jackpot."

While others just offered a helping hand: "We have some wrapping paper over and we thought you could use it... please can you send an elf to fetch it tonight."

And some refreshments: "Dear Santa, I love Christmas and you. Can you come to Christmas dinner at my place?"

Children can email Santa at santa@xtra.co.nz, text message to 9627 from a text capable Telecom mobile (texts cost 20 cents and a donation from each text will be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities), or phone the free Santa Line, 0800 22 22 22.

- NZPA