Sheffield children’s gift wishes are in the post

Department store John Lewis, in Barker’s Pool, has received hundreds of letters addressed to Father Christmas in its special postbox.

The Disney film Frozen is still hugely popular this year, and is present in a large majority of children’s letters, while Star Wars paraphernalia, Lego and the computer game Minecraft are also in high demand.

But there are plenty of amusing and unusual requests, too.

Heidi, aged three, from Stocksbridge, wanted ‘pink shoes and a pink dress’, while Jessica, also three, of Nether Edge, asked for a ‘two twin babies, a Waitrose shopping trolley, and food to go in the shopping trolley’.

Nine-year-old Edie, of Hillsborough, wrote: “All I want for Christmas is a cute, fluffy pet hamster called Cheddar.”

Ivy, four, of Greystones, requested ‘a fairy that flies and a mermaid that swims in the pond’, while Ailis, from Nether Edge, penned a very domesticated wish list, asking for ‘a red toaster, a red kettle, and a mixing bowl and spoon’.

The neatest and lengthiest letter was written by Walkley girl Jessica, who asked for a large quantity of stationery items and a ‘dress that is partly purple and blue’.

“I have not fallen out with my friends and I was the first in my class to get my handwriting pen,” she said.

Each child who posted a letter at John Lewis received a personalised reply direct from Santa, on special headed notepaper.

Almost 560 letters were posted at the store this year.

Grace, from Totley, asked for ‘a unicorn, a unicorn house and a hairdressing set’, while Orla, of Baslow, wrote: “I would like Father Christmas to bring me a kite.”

Albert, three, of Matlock, was firmly focused on Christmas dinner, simply saying: “We are having turkey and pigs in blankets.”

Bob, from Handsworth, wrote ‘Please can I have a tree’, and Benny, of Ecclesall, said: “I think I’ll be happy if you visit me. I would really like a new skateboard.”

Jack, also from Ecclesall, wrote puzzlingly: “Do not feed this letter to the penguins.”

And Mia, of Sandygate, wrote: “Please could I have some fairy lights to make my room twinkle at night.

“I have been a good girl and I would love to see some lights.”

Theo, from Stannington, wanted a ‘wheeled buggy’, Ethan, of Dronfield, asked for a castle, and Finn, from Meersbrook, wanted ‘a little bunny’.

Millhouses schoolgirl Sophie requested ‘a sheepskin rug for my bedroom’, while Dolly in Crookes asked for ‘a snuggly blanket’.

And Grace from Chapeltown asked for, in her own handwriting: “A bottle of wine for my mum and a bottle of beer for my dad.”