Watch: 'I don't want to see a lump of coal': Cork kids tell us what's on their Christmas lists

AS FAMILIES across Leeside prepare for Santa Claus’ annual visit tomorrow, The Echo visited Scoil Nicoláis in Frankfield and the North Monastery Primary School in Blackpool to speak with a dozen children ahead of the festive period.

With social media waging a war on traditional advertising, replacing the hours poured over an Argos catalogue with a seven-second sponsored ad on Instagram, children today are asking Santa for a range of gifts, spanning top-shelf electronic devices to trending fast-fashion toys.

While it was clear sitting down with the children that social media is certainly having an impact on what’s hot for a Christmas wishlist, there is still a strong pull toward non-heavily-commercialised items such as board games, teddies, dolls, and sporting equipment.

Rose Guest, 6, and Bronagh O’Mahony, 7, of 1st class at Scoil Nicoláis said they are both hoping to get dolls this Christmas, as well as furry, puppy-shaped surprises.

“I’m so excited for Christmas,” said Rose.

“I asked Santa for a doll’s wheelchair, a doll with pink hair, and a big and small surprise — and something for my brother too.

“If I could ask for anything in the world, I would ask for a golden retriever puppy named Daisy.”

Bronagh said: “I’m so excited too. I asked Santa for a surprise, and dolls as well.

“If I could pick anything, I’d probably ask for a new puppy too — a small one. I don’t mind what kind.”

Both girls said they are certain of their standing on the Nice List this year and will be leaving out the traditional milk-cookies-and-carrots combo for Santa and his helpers.

Reflecting on their favourite part of the festive season, Rose and Bronagh said they are looking forward to spending quality time with family and tucking into a hearty Christmas dinner.

“My favourite part about Christmas is spending time with my family,” said Rose.

“We always watch a movie like Home Alone together and we’ll have some treats.”

Bronagh said: “My favourite part is the presents, and Christmas dinner.

“I love the ham and mashed potatoes, and I like popping Christmas crackers.

“My aunties always come over too — we watch a Christmas movie together and eat treat boxes.”

Kaja Halik, 8, and Jack O’Rourke, 8, of 2nd class at the North Monastery Primary School said they will also be spending Christmas with their families, as well as their dogs, Tyson and Hunter.

“I’m excited for Christmas because I can spend time with my family and unwrap presents,” said Kaja.

“I’ve asked Santa for some plushies, Barbies, and a nail set.”

Jack said: “I’m excited for Christmas because I’m going to finally get the Iron Man helmet I’ve wanted for 25m years.

“I also asked Santa for lots of dinosaur toys — because I’m totally addicted to them — loads of board games, and Wipeout — it’s a game where you have to jump over a moving stick.”

Jack additionally said that his favourite part about Christmas is “that feeling you get when you’re in bed waiting — and I’m also all-ears for the corned beef”.

Kaja further detailed a Polish Christmas tradition that takes place in her home, where on the night of December 5, Santa visits her household and places a present in a shoe outside the front door ahead of Christmas Day.

“Our tradition is, on December 5, we put out a shoe with cookies, milk and a carrot, and Santa comes in the middle of the night, stocks the shoe up, and we wake up the next day and see what he got us,” said Kaja.

When prompted with the question “if you could have anything in the world for Christmas this year?”, Kaja said she would ask Santa “to get his magic and give every homeless and sick person good health and a home”.

Jack said: “I’d ask for a real-life velociraptor — I just love dinosaurs.”

Heather Moran-Gayer, 7, and Alannah Downey, 7, of 1st class at Scoil Nicoláis said they asked Santa for a mix of presents, ranging from electronic devices to colour-changing dolls.

“I’m really excited for Christmas,” said Heather.

“I asked Santa for an iPad, headphones and an iPad holder, Luna the Furmotion Cat, and Pomsies Cats — I love cats.

“If I could ask Santa for anything in the world, I’d probably just ask for everything on my list.”

Alannah said: “I asked Santa for a Magic Mixies Pixling Doll, a water snake and My Mini Baby Series 2, but if I could get anything, I’d ask Santa for a Golden Doodle puppy, and I’d call it Noodle.”

Both Heather and Alannah said their favourite part about Christmas is unwrapping presents, with each of their family’s gravy and mash coming in a close second.

“My favourite part of Christmas is getting presents, but I also like eating Christmas dinner,” said Heather.

Alannah said: “My favourite part of Christmas is opening presents, but I do like the gravy and mash for dinner too.”

Charlie Kelleher, 8, and James McCarthy, 8, of 2nd class at the North Monastery Primary School said they are both looking forward to waking up at the crack of dawn to open their gifts.

“I’m really excited because I’m getting a punching bag this year and hopefully I’ll get to start boxing,” said Charlie.

“I also asked Santa for a new mountain bike, and the new Fifa FC26.”

James said: “I’ve not been excited for Christmas as much as I am now.

“I asked Santa for a VR headset — I want to use it with the game, I’m Cat.”

Speaking about his favourite part of Christmas, Charlie said he can’t wait to have his Christmas dinner, despite his preference for lamb over turkey.

“My favourite part about Christmas is the dinner, we’ll probably have turkey, but I’d rather lamb — turkey can be a bit dry, so I’m not a lover of it,” said Charlie.

James said: “My favourite part about Christmas is the presents. I usually get up at 6am and jump on my parents to wake them up.”

Charlie said he is also no stranger to waking before the sun, recounting one year where he “got up at 3am and went in to my mom to wake her — I wake up early every Christmas”.

Eoin Lynch, 7, and Killian Lehane, 7, of 1st class at Scoil Nicoláis said they are both hoping to get either a Nintendo Switch 2 or PlayStation 5 for Christmas this year.

“I asked Santa for a Nintendo Switch 2, a GameBoy, a slush puppy machine, Minecraft, a King Charles and a couple of more things — there’s so much I can’t remember them all,” said Eoin.

“I hope I’m on the Nice List because I don’t want to see a lump of coal Christmas morning!”

Killian said: “I asked Santa for a PlayStation 5, a Nintendo Switch 2, Minecraft, Fifa, Beyblades and a tablet.”

Veering away from the traditional milk and cookies treat for Santa, Eoin said he will be leaving out “a Coke for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer,” with Killian leaving out “a beer and a sandwich for Santa and a sandwich for Rudolph too”.

Eoin said his favourite part of Christmas is “being with my family; we always go to my nan’s and have fun,” while Killian said his favourite part is “the sound of unwrapping presents!”

Eoin’s unrestricted Christmas wish kept in line with what he asked Santa for in his letter, stating that he would ask for a Nintendo Switch 2, despite already having a PlayStation 3, so he can “play multiplayer with my mom and dad”.

Killian said: “If I could get anything in the world, I would ask Santa for Smyths Toys Superstores — all of them. I’d go inside and play with all of the toys.”

Maya Chelsea-Gwittm 8, and Scott Mullins, 8, of 2nd class at the North Monastery Primary School said they are both hoping for a white Christmas this year, as they’re eager to build snowmen “and have snowball fights!”

“I’m very, very excited for Christmas – it’s my favourite time of year,” said Maya.

“I haven’t asked Santa for anything yet, I’m still thinking, but I might ask him for some headphones for my brother and a microphone for myself — so I can sing in my room.

“I hope it snows this year, so we can build snowmen and watch Christmas movies.”

Scott said: “I’m super excited because you get to spend time with your family and friends — and you get to drink hot chocolate, and the best part, you get to open presents.

“This year I asked for Beyblades, some books that tell you how to make paper airplanes, paper to make them, and some other stuff.

“I hope it snows too, so we can make snowballs and have snowball fights!”

If given the opportunity to ask for anything in the world, both Maya and Scott chose the philanthropic route, with Maya asking Santa “for the homeless people to have a home to live in,” and Scott asking Santa “to end world hunger,” with “unlimited food for everyone!”