'I’m definitely on the nice list': Cork kids tell us what they want for Christmas 

What happens when Santa and the tooth fairy cross paths on Christmas eve? The Junior Infants from Scoil Bhríde Eglantine National School in Ballinlough tell Sarah Horgan

Junior infants pupils from Scoil Bhríde Eglantine. Picture: Chani Anderson

With just one more sleep to go until Christmas, Grace Parsons is very excited at the possibility of a magical encounter happening tonight.

“I have a wobbly tooth,” she told the Irish Examiner. “I’m not sure if my tooth will fall out on Christmas Eve but if it does, maybe the tooth fairy will take it and leave my money in one of the presents. I’m not sure if she has ever met Santa before.” 

Grace was among the Junior infants interviewed at Scoil Bhríde Eglantine National School about hopes for what the man in the Big Red Suit may deliver.

“Santa will come down the chimney and he’ll bring presents with him,” Grace added. 

Grace Parsons peeks through the decorated Christmas tree in the junior infants classroom at Scoil Bhríde Eglantine. Picture: Chani Anderson

“I’ve asked him for markers and Sylvanians. Sylvanians are the little fluffy toys that come with houses.” 

Meanwhile, her classmate Stella Fondrini vented frustration about the surge in imposters this year.

“I saw Santa in a shop but he was just the fake Santa. I know because I met the real Santa before and he was wearing rainbow socks. When I asked him about them he told me he only ever wears rainbow socks. 

"Now, if I want to check if a Santa is real or fake I just take a look at his socks and that’s how I know. 

The Santa I saw in the shop wore black socks so he couldn’t have been real. 

"He also didn’t have the belly which Santa has from eating all the cookies left for him on Christmas Eve. 

"I didn’t see Mrs Claus with the real Santa because she was back in the North Pole with Rudolph who had hurt his leg. She needed to take good care of him because he is their specialist reindeer.” 

She spoke about her favourite festive tradition.

“I love visiting my daddy’s restaurant Da Mircos. You have to make an appointment to go there.” 

Tess Farrell and Stella Fondrini enjoy a cheerful moment together at Scoil Bhríde Eglantine. Picture: Chani Anderson

Tess Farrell spoke about some of her good deeds this year.

“I’m definitely on the nice list because I helped my mummy and daddy clean up my toys and I hung up some of the decorations while my mum was making dinner. 

I’m not sure what my mum would ask for from Santa, but she did get some boots recently so she probably has enough shoes.

Heidi Cronin was keen to share her ultimate Christmas wish.

Réaltín Ahern and Heidi Cronin. Picture: Chani Anderson

“My Christmas wish is to get a pet bunny from Santa. She would be my pet and my best friend. If she’s white I will name her snowflake because that makes me think of Christmas time. If she’s brown I’ll call her Melody. 

"If Santa was here today I would tell him thank you for making so many people happy. I’m not sure what children are on the naughty list get. I’d like a bunny, but maybe if I was on the naughty list, I’d get a pet lion or tiger or even nothing at all.” 

She explained the perks of being on the nice list.

If you don’t listen to your teacher then you won’t just end up on the naughty list, you also won’t grow up to be smart.

And Heidi expressed relief that everyone in her school made Santa’s nice list.

“The best things about my school is that the children are kind to each other and there are all kinds of people here.” 

Vivienne Murphy is looking forward to receiving a very special delivery from Santa.

“I’m getting a dog but it’s going to be a toy dog. He comes with a broken leg that you have to fix. To be on the nice list you have to be good and kind to your friends. I am always nice to my friends, especially when they fall in the yard. 

Sarah McCarthy, Vivienne Murphy, and Caragh O’Shea. Picture: Chani Anderson

"The best part of Christmas for me has been putting the star on the Christmas tree. Our school Christmas tree has a star too but it’s not golden like the one I have at home.” 

Louise Roche spoke about her special connection with Santa and the elves.

Alice Touhy and Lucy Field. Picture: Chani Anderson

“I’ve been to the north pole and I have seen the workshop. We had to take a car, bus, and an airplane and train to get there. The elves get lots of breaks. They make toys but they also made gingerbread and candy canes. That was when I was younger and I went to Tír na nÓg Montessori.” 

Alice Touhy was equally enthused.

“I am so excited because I’m getting a karaoke machine for Christmas and a Barbie dream house. 

I’m on the nice list for being kind to my sisters. I’m always kind, but with a little bit of cheekiness.

Réaltín Ahern is excited about learning a new skill this Christmas.

“I love presents. I’m getting roller skates for Christmas and the bigger girls are going to show me how to use them.” 

Louise Roche and Eabha Fitzpatrick. Picture: Chani Anderson

Jodie Whiriskey is already making plans for Santa’s visit.

Grace Parsons and Jodie Whiriskey. Picture: Chani Anderson

“I’ll be leaving out cookies and milk but also sour jellies in case he wants something different.” 

Caragh O’Shea had an interesting theory about Santa.

“I heard he can disappear,” she said. “I went to see him and we chatted. He told me I have been very good.” 

Meanwhile, Sarah McCarthy says there is only one place in the world she wants to spend Christmas this year.

“I’m going to my granny and grandad’s house in Kerry. My granny makes the best Christmas pudding.”