AS PART OF TheJournal.ie’s weekly Family Magazine, we wanted to create a space for parents to share their views. A place where mums and dads could share their experiences, lessons learned, and even mistakes along the way.
This week, we’re asking our Parents Panel about the oddest, funniest and most adorable requests they’ve spotted on their little ones’ Santa lists. What’s the strangest thing on your child’s Santa list?
Here’s what our panel had to say…
Top L-R: Olly Keegan, Alan Dooley, Denise, Ken Hyland. Middle L-R: Ríona Flood, Ross Boxshall, Marta Lisiecka, Denise Cumiskey. Bottom L-R: Kait Quinn, Susannah O’Brien, Derek McInerney, Suzie Kelly.
A pack of sausages
My four-year-old requested a packet of sausages and a Christmas tree. When pushed on a more specific gift he said, ‘LOTS of sausages.’ He got very mad at me for laughing.
- Suzie Kelly
A Mrs Brown costume
My toddler is big into dressing up and has requested a Mrs Brown outfit this year, along with Cinderella and Belle. She adores Mrs Brown’s Boys. The last two are easy, but where on earth would you get a Mrs Brown outfit for a two-year-old?
- Denise Cumiskey
A limited-edition 1980s Monchhichi
Ever since my son, who is three, first heard about Santa, he has asked for a Monchhichi. Yes, that monkey doll that was popular in the 1980s! I have a Doctor Monchhichi in the study at home. He’s seen it and really wants one. Whilst Santa can still get Monchhichi dolls, there are no Doctor Monchhicis out there these days. However, we have managed to get a very kind elf to help us out with a mini doctor outfit, perfect for a Monchhichi!
- Olly Keegan
A pound shop toy
A few years ago our eldest obsessed about a cheap plastic lollipop toy. It was probably one of the most budget-friendly presents she got and she loved it!
- Ross Boxshall
A (very specific) bat
My three-year-old wants a bat and a ball for Christmas. It’s a very specific ask, because the ball has to be attached to the bat. It’s a summer toy that’s almost impossible for Santa to find at this time of year…
- Denise Cahill
Cold hard cash
The weirdest thing they’ve wanted to ask for was money. They’re trying to figure out if Santa really has bottomless pockets…
- Alan Dooley
A few staffers at TheJournal.ie had their own weird Santa requests to share, too…
There was this prehistoric ask from a writer at The42.ie…
“My toddler asked for a ‘dinosaur bone to excavate’ last year. The butcher very kindly cleaned up a big bone for me, which I put in a box and covered with rocks and soil. He loved it on Christmas morning… for about ten minutes.”
Plus this request, from a white flour-deprived child…
“One of my kids once asked for a loaf of white bread. Before I became a lazier parent I would only let the kids have wholemeal bread. Those days are over.”
One writer recalled her very thrifty sibling…
“My little brother asked for a cow once. A live one. He ended up getting one for his Confirmation from my uncle, which he later sold for a pile of money.”
Turns out he’s not the only young cow seller, either…
“My friend’s brother asked for a suckling calf one Christmas. Raised it and sold him at mart for a profit. The kid was 11.”
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