All too often, our children's letters to Santa are filled with requests for Xboxes, Playstations, iPads and Skylanders (or is that just my boys?)
But there is another side that is just super cute – as these letters reveal.
Irish photographer Fran Veale was given a peek at the notes by Irish mail delivery service An Post, which receives countless letters to Santa this time of year.One letter says: "Dear Santa, I am whritteing for my new baby sister. She would like a standy up table so she could practice her standing. She was very good this year. It is her first Christmas. Love pixie (willow whrite this)."
While another, full of remorse, says: "Dear Santa, I was a bit bad this year, I didn't really listen to my parents, mostly my mom, I'm sorry I won't do it again I'll listen to everything she sais and do whatever she asks. I really should listen carefully and I admit it, I'm sorry. Sign Michelle S."
One girl adds: "To Santa, I hope your elves aren't working to hard. I would like a leap pad ultra – and if I was good enuf can you please bring me a you bag, love Ella."
Sometimes the requests are modest; at other times, heartbreaking. And sometimes they're just downright hilarious.
One child heartbreakingly asks Father Christmas for a jewellery box for her mum because the robbers took hers and one cheeky chap asks what age Mrs Claus is.
Other highlights include a little girl writing a present list for her baby sister's first Christmas; and another asking Santa to take daddy down the chimney with him.