'I have had little eight-year-old girls asking me for skincare products': Santa’s concern over new pressures on kids
Ivana Boljay with her daughter Catherine Walsh from Cobh visiting Santa Claus (Paddy Gilley) at Wilton Shopping Centre, Cork. - Picture: David Creedon
Speaking to , Paddy Gilley, who is the founder of HoHoHo.ie and acts as Santa at Wilton Shopping Centre, said while the shift in gifting preferences has become “a bit depressing” in recent years, his fondness for the role brings him back each December.
“Around 18 years ago, somebody asked me to fall-in as Santa as a favour — I did that for a few years, and then I opened HoHoHo.ie and never looked back,” said Mr Gilley.
“I spend 11 months of the year dreading the start of Christmas, but once the first Santa visit is over, I’m in the full swing of things and I enjoy every minute of it.
“There’s great energy, positivity and love — you’re in a very privileged position because Santa is a big determining factor in the happiness of a child.
“It’s the easiest and best job in the world,” he added.
“I absolutely love it. While it is very hectic, and I have no spare time in December, it’s so rewarding.
“I wouldn’t swap it for all the tea in China.”
While his love for the job is what keeps him going, over the last two decades, Mr Gilley said he has seen a stark change in children’s Christmas requests.
“In terms of what children ask me for, I would say it’s a bit depressing,” said Mr Gilley.
“I have had little eight-year-old girls asking me for skincare products, the sort of stuff that women in their 30s and 40s would be using — not a young girl.
“There are a lot of influencers, pop stars, and celebrities that have a lot to answer for — social media is taking away childhood from children.
“Boys are very traditional in what they look for, like video games, soccer jerseys or what have you, but the girls have certainly branched out completely — some of them have even asked for gymnastics bars so they can practice their routines to stay thin.
“I would say that it stems from societal pressure, which is something they shouldn’t have to deal with at their age,” he added.
“The whole skincare and makeup frenzy has crept in over the last three years — I’ve even had some little girls looking for hair extensions.”
Predicting the top five items he will be asked for in the run-up to Christmas this year, Mr Gilley said he expects to be asked, in order of demand, for e-scooters, makeup/skincare, video consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch or PS5, designer clothes and shoes, and sports jerseys.
Along with these “high-profile items”, Mr Gilley said older children, aged eight and above, are also asking for specific stocking fillers this year, which include trending fast-fashion items such as Labubus and Sonny
Angels.
However, amongst the younger children, Mr Gilley said popular items include Lego, and merchandise from Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig and KPop Demon Hunters.
“Children are asking for four or five high-profile items, and then they’re asking for periphery presents like Labubus — but every four or five years there’s a shift, then it’s on to the next character or game,” said Mr Gilley.
“The only thing that is a constant every year is Lego — it’s huge, it’s very popular as a stocking filler for all ages.
“The thing is, children now are getting four or five bigger presents, and then eight or nine smaller ones — when I was growing up, we only got one present and that was it.
“There’s a level of irresponsibility out there.”
Niamh Kelleher, who is the founder of FunkyKids and acts as Mrs Claus at Mahon Point Shopping Centre, said she has also encountered the shift from typical childlike requests to more mature trending items.
“I started working as Mrs Claus three years ago — but I had been working in Christmas experiences since 2019,” said Ms Kelleher.
“When Mahon Point said they were looking for a Mrs Claus, I jumped at the opportunity. I love performing and I love the magic of Christmas.
“It’s priceless bringing magic to children and their families — there’s no job that’ll reward you like being Mrs Claus.
“In terms of requests I get, you always have your dolls, bikes, and video games, but then this year, there’s been a massive boost in children asking for Sol De Janeiro perfume and Byoma skincare — it’s getting younger every year.
“Children are now obsessed with TikTok, blogging, and influencer life. The innocence seems less and less,” she added.
“Skincare at eight-years-old; your skin is going to be damaged from that. It’s a worrying trend.
“We’re making our children grow faster than they should — social media is having a massive impact on our society.
“We need to let our children be innocent and enjoy the magic of Christmas again.
“I know as a parent of older children that these years are extremely short-lived,” she said.
“Children are four years old by the time they fully comprehend what’s going on, and by the time they’re 10-years-old, they’re gone — or even younger now — so that’s only five Christmas mornings you get with your child where they believe.
“Parents need to say no — to say ‘no, unfortunately you’re too young for skincare’. We need to start at home.”
Predicting the top five items she will be asked for in the run-up to Christmas this year, Ms Kelleher said she expects to be asked, in order of demand, for skincare, e-scooters/motorbikes/scramblers, KPop Demon Hunters merchandise, video games and consoles, and Paw Patrol merchandise.
“We all need to go back to basics when it comes to Christmas — myself included,” said Ms Kelleher.
“The advice Mrs Claus would give the people of Cork this year is to just relax, have some nice food and look after the people you love.”
Pat Bransfield, who is the resident Santa at Fota House, said that while he has not encountered requests for body alterations and fast-fashion trends like Labubus and Sonny Angels, he has seen an increase in children looking for electronic devices like iPads, phones and expensive gaming consoles.
“I started working as Santa a long time ago — my eldest nephew, who is in his early 40s now; I’ve been doing it since him and his sister were babies,” said Mr Bransfield.
“I love doing it. If I can bring a bit a joy into a child’s life at Christmas time — then that’s a job done.
“If I could do it for 12 months of the year, I would.
“When it comes to November, you’re watching the TV ads and checking the catalogues to see what toys kids are going to ask for.
“I usually don’t get to watch the , but I would sometimes look at that as well to see what the big toys are that year,” he added.
“In terms of requests, you’ll get a few that are the same over a number of years; I’ve had some kids ask me for a new baby brother or sister, but that’s obviously not up to me.
“The general ones that are popular with younger kids for the last five years or so are the likes of Paw Patrol, Thomas the Tank Engine and Lego — but for the older kids, especially girls, it’s skincare, makeup, and maybe some other items like phones.
“I’ve come across a lot of requests for skincare — that’s definitely a big one, but I haven’t had any for hair extensions or changes to body features.
“Over the last week or so I have had young boys looking for hair products, which is something I didn’t expect.
“I find at the moment with eight, nine and
10-year-olds, they’re looking for tablets like iPads, and as a joke, I’ll tell them I can give them some paracetamol if they need it.
“Being Santa has changed a little, but it’s generally the same routine,” he said.
“There are different habits and traits in people now that you have to adapt to.
“Every year is great, but you have to go with the times because the times dictate presents and style.”
Predicting the top five items he will be asked for in the run-up to Christmas this year, Mr Bransfield said he expects to be asked, in order of demand, for electronics, makeup/skincare, Paw Patrol merchandise, teddies and slime.
“Children are definitely asking for more expensive items these days,” said Mr Bransfield.
“Over the last weekend I’ve had kids asking for PS5s and the new handheld Nintendo Switch 2, which I understand are very expensive.”
Underneath these seemingly frivolous requests for expensive, heavily marketed items, lies a deeper concern for the abandonment of innocence among young children.
Social media advertising and the societal pressures that come with it are now pushing children as young as eight-years-old to put down their toys and pick up anti-wrinkle creams and motorised scramblers
instead.
This begs the question that if the children of today are already asking for such advanced gifts at Christmas time, what will the children of tomorrow look for?
App?
