"Santa's little helper" Bronwyn Dargaville, of Dunedin, said about 7000 letters had been sent to Santa so far this year from children in Otago and Southland.
Each year, letters of thanks started coming in from December 26 and new wish lists trickled in over the months before "really picking up" in the first week of December, she said.
Most letters were addressed to Santa Claus at the North Pole and contained requests for the hottest toys on the market and hi-tech gadgets.
High School Musical, Hannah Montana, cellphones and Playstations were popular, Mrs Dargaville said.
One child's list consisted of 38 different items, in alphabetical order, ranging from a simple jumping jack to a "laser guided misile [sic]".
The child also wanted: The Octagon, undercover FBI agents, a zebra tank and pet zebra, a car and driver's licence, some real million-dollar notes, a quiet block of land with a house, and, to top it off, he requested a "wolly mammoth [sic]".
Another wanted an iPod "so I don't have to listen to my sisters moaning all the time".
Heartwarmingly, there were others whose lists emulated the true spirit of Christmas.
"Dear Santa, I will have what you give me," and "Can I please have it a surprise".
Others wanted to ensure Santa knew they had been good.
"I have been really good and tried hard at school" and "I have been very truly good, just ask Bob he knows me very well".
Mrs Dargaville started helping Santa in 1985 and referred to it as her "pet project".
"Every year, there are some really neat letters which don't have a return address," she said, which meant a letter of reply could not be sent.
More Letters to Santa:
Dear Santa . . . For Christmas I would like an iPod so I don't have to listen to my sisters moaning all the time.
I would also like some Hannah Montana things like the girls in my class and a water gun because the dog ate my other one.
I would also like a block of chocolate, but I can't think of anything else.
Dear Santa . . .
I am 7 years old. I have been really good and tried hard at school.
What I want for Christmas is a trampoline and a Jack Russell puppy.
Thank you.
From Erika.
Dear Santa . . .
My kitten has died, which is very sad for me.
For Christmas I would like a new tabby kitten.
I have been very good this year! PS: Can the kitten not have a collar because I live on a farm and the collar might strangle him and he could die.
From Eva..
Dear Santa . . .
For Christmas could you please get me a Princess Max 2.
My sister is 1.
Could you please buy her something nice.
From Jasmine.
Dear Santa Claus . . .
Hi Santa.
I want a box of chocolates, PSP, crossbow, two wombats, long sword, short sword and $100.
PS: Why are you so fat? And how do you fit down the chimney? From Danny.
Dear Santa . . .
I love you.
How do you get around the world in time? I hope you are not that busy.
Can I please have it a surprise.
From Samara.
Dear Santa . . .
I will have what you give me.
Love Brett.
Dear Santa . . .
I've been a good girl this year and please can you get me these presents for Christmas.
The High School Musical 3 DVD, CD and maybe a couple of posters.
Also a tattoo machine.
Also please can you get me clothes.
From Morgan.
Dear Father Christmas . . .
I would like a kitten.
Do you get dirty when you go down the chimney? I did my chores.
I am good.
I love you so much.
How does the reindeer do in the sky? Love from Monique.
Dear Santa . . .
I have been good.
Please can I have chocolate, Buzz the Music Quiz, PSP, PS3, money, ice cream, art stuff, PS2 games, magazines, clothes, video camera, cellphone, iPod nano, laptop.
PS: I've only written 14 things so you are very lucky.
From Aria.
Dear Santa . . .
Thank you very much for last year's present.
I really loved it.
How is Mrs Claus? I hope she is OK.
For Christmas I want an iPod touch, Hannah Montana diary, Bratz Really Rock girls doll, Bratz pixie doll, Hannah Montana doll that sings, a pink guitar and viola, a new Bob the Builder toy and a jar of snails as well.
And a pink electric guitar.
PS: I will leave some cookies for Mrs Claus as well and carrots for Rudolph.
From Brieley.
Dear Father Christmas . . .
I would like a PSP, an Xbox 360, a quadbike, a Nintendo Wii, a Teletubby suit, a little sister, a really naughty brother who is 8.
I know why I should get it all - I have done my chores like mowing the lawn.
Love from Josh.
