The country's children are aware of the impact of the recession on their parents, judging by the contents of many of their letters to Santa Claus this year. More than 100,000 youngsters have already had their Christmas wishlists to Santa delivered to the North Pole by An Post, and the company's chief elf, Feargal Purcell, said this year's letters were the most humble and socially aware he had seen.

"We are getting a lot of letters from children acknowledging the recession," he said. "One we just received said, 'Dear Santa, please let the new year bring hope and joy and a new job for my dad and money to do up our house.' Kids seem to be having just as tough a time as adults.

"Another child wrote, 'I hope you are having a better time in the North Pole than I am here in Ireland.'"

Purcell said children's understanding of the financial crisis has resulted in fewer demands for expensive gifts. "Without a doubt, there is greater awareness in the letters we receive now. Three or four years ago we would get Christmas lists with up to 30 requests whereas now we are getting only one or two and a request for a surprise, so the difference is very noticeable and it is obvious kids are tuned into what is going on."

An Post, which has provided the North Pole delivery service for 27 years, will this weekend deliver between 100,000 and 130,000 letters, the highest number to date. All the children who send letters will get a reply from Santa if they include their address.

"There has been an increase of around 10,000 letters on two years ago, but the difference between then and now is quite stark. One letter we received had a picture of baby Jesus in the crib, which just shows that now kids are actually thinking of the real meaning of Christmas. This is one of the first times we have received as many
letters of this type; it isn't all that
usual."

Children are also very well-mannered this year, according to Purcell.

"Kids are asking Santa to be careful on his journey, with the snow and bad weather.

"They are also asking for presents for other people such as brothers and sisters, and some are making a point of saying thank you for last year's batch of presents."

Top of children's Christmas wishlists this year are old favourites, such as bikes and computer games.

Purcell said An Post would try to make sure all children received a response, and praised the hundreds of postmen around the country who would continue to battle arctic weather conditions to ensure the letters are delivered.