If Christmas belongs to anybody it is to the children, for whom it is the ultimate celebration. All they have to hope for are the right presents at the foot of the tree come Christmas morning. It’s all about the easy life for children at this time of year– no school, an endless stream of seasonal cartoons on the television, plenty of junk food and a whole lotta toys. Ask, get, eat, play, sleep.

A child’s Christmas preparations consist mainly of writing and redrafting letters to Santa Claus outlining what they would like to see in their stockings on the 25th. A sense of anticipation builds up before giving way to a state of barely controllable excitement as the big day draws near. If and when Mr Claus comes up with the goods, the children are, on the whole, thoroughly satisfied.

The only problem with all of this– according to some people– is that children today are asking for far too much from Santa, so much so that it is almost impossible for him to cope with their demands.

Young John Harrington is four years old and lives in Sandymount. Like most boys his age, John knows exactly what he wants from Santa– namely a trumpet and a Noddy book. His younger brother has asked for a Chitty Chitty Bang Band DVD and is very excited about it. Dad James thinks that children in general tend to ask for a lot. “I think some kids do ask for too many toys”, he says. “Ours don’t but they are young and still learning. We try and keep expectations down because you don’t want things to start getting silly.”

Eight year old Paul Anderson is out with his mother in Sandymount. He is expecting a Playstation 2 along with the new Fifa ‘06 game. He would also like a Scaletrix so that he and his friends can race each other. Paul’s sister Niamh is six. She needs two boy Bratz Dolls to go along with the two girls she already has. Their mother Celine believes that today’s kids expect a lot more from Santa Claus.

“It’s a different world to that of the previous generation who would have been happy with an annual and a little doll. Today it’s a case of more, more, more, with no attention being paid to the cost of things. But Santa is magic and that’s the most important thing.”

Eoin and Harry Brennan– also from Sandymount– have not asked for too many presents. Ten year old Harry would like a Lego police station and if Santa can’t manage that an I-spy camera will suffice. Eoin, who is five, wants some Thunderbirds figures and a Scooby-Doo jelly maker. Their father Paul thinks they might yet change their minds. “Nothing lasts for too long and no doubt they’ll come up with plenty more between now and Christmas. They get their ideas from all the ads on children’s TV channels like Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. It really is non-stop at this time of year.”

Shauna Tighe (11) is in Irishtown with her friends Gemma Coughlan (9) and Kellie Fox (10). They all attend St Patrick’s Girls’ school in Ringsend. Shauna has asked for an iPod, magna beads and a Bratz Doll safe for Christmas, Gemma wants a Bratz Doll, a necklace and a puppy phone while Kellie’s list includes a Bratz doll, an MP3 player, a ring, a watch and a necklace. A long list of gifts, but Shauna insists that they are not being greedy. “We only expect what we’re given,” she adds. “Some people like my brother want everything they see and that’s from all the ads on television.”

Nicole Rush is 11 and lives in Irishtown. She wants some heely skates and a computer, Her friend Rebecca Byrne has also requested some skates, and a mobile phone too. “All my friends are getting the skates and we have to get them too so we can all play together,” says Nicole. “I’m not asking for too much because I’ve been a good girl this year. I’m an angel!”

Young Glenn Donnelly and Robert Steele of Ringsend are on their way home for dinner. They are both eight years old and go to St Patrick’s Boys’ school. Glenn wants a suspension bike, a phone and a Simpsons punching bag from Santa. Robert would also like a bike, along with a flip-up phone and a Simpsons inflatable bed. Glenn believes that no matter what they have asked for, there are plenty others who are demanding more. “My sister is asking for about fifty things. The girls always get more than the boys because they complain and give out until they get what they want.” He dismisses the suggestion that he and Robert might be like that too. “We just take what Santa gives us,” he quietly responds.

The majority of children seem to adopt a specific approach to Christmas, asking for as much as possible but not really expecting Santa to deliver everything on their wish lists. They might act like they want every toy they see but in truth they won’t be disappointed with what they eventually get.

As the countdown to the big day begins, stress levels amongst adults are bound to increase. The children, on the other hand, can afford to slow things down a little. Having sent their letters to Santa, their work is pretty much done. Mr Claus, meanwhile, carries out a final check on his reindeer before setting out on his long and cold voyage from the North Pole to thousands of homes all over the land.

He dares not disappoint.