Students’ letters reveal sentiments of season, top gifts

In the spirit of the season, the Pike County Journal Reporter publishes the annual Letters to Santa edition which features local primary and elementary school students’ letters. Be sure to support the local businesses who advertised to make the section possible!

Among the hundreds of Santa letters asking for specific toys were many that shared the sentiments of the season with several asking for world peace, love and gifts for others. Hallie from Ashley Bowlden’s first grade class asked for “a little pool for my sister.”

Lots of letters noted that items would be left out for Santa – and even his reindeer and elves. Thompson B. from Ashley Bowlden’s first grade class wrote, “Dear Santa, The nicest thing I did this year was make my sister an award, even though she was mean to me. I’m going to leave you out some hamburgers if I’m allowed. Merry Christmas!”

Lots of students were sure to tell Santa about their behavior and listed some nice things they’d done for others, including Camden P. who “helped an old lady across the street” and Harper D. who “took care of my parents on their anniversary.” (Both students are in Nan Sands’ second grade class.) Kaleb S. from Carley Rainey’s class said he gave his cousin his PS5 and some games “because he didn’t have one and wanted one so bad.”

Brady from Kayli Rich’s first grade class wrote, “the nicest thing I did was tie Jack’s shoes like 100 times almost every day.”

First grader Brooklyn Gonzalez wrote that she was nice to her sister. “I didn’t argue with my sister and that made my mom happy.”

There were lots of boys and girls who wrote that they were nice and good and absolute angels and sweethearts. Some students were even more specific about their behavior, including first grader Noah Farron who wrote, “I have been 80% good and 20% naughty this year.”

Hunter in Amy Jones’ second grade class wrote, “I have been good, but I have been talking a lot in class.”

Blu’elle Hunt wrote, “I have been very nice and a little bit naughty” and Steele from Kayla Echols’ second grade class wrote, “I have been both nice and naughty but more nice.”

A lot of things have changed over the years, but students still requested classic gifts such as books, candy, bikes, balls and stuffed animals. Hank asked for “a bow with arrows and a quiver and some targets” and said the nicest thing he did all year was pick up toilet paper from his yard. Brooks asked for Army men. There were also many requests for baby dolls and doll houses as well as baby bottles and accessories. Barbies and Barbie accessories (including the Dreamhouse, Camper and Boat) were top requests as well.

Of course there were requests for the newest electronics – new iPhones, VR (Virtual Reality) headsets and games, Tonie Boxes (a portable speaker with different colors and characters), gaming consoles like the popular PS5 and video game currency like Robux (for the game Roblox) and V-bucks (for Fortnite).

Among the hardest requests to fill was from Kaisley P. of Bre Oglesby’s pre-K class who wrote, “Dear Santa, I want a hippopotamus and a donkey. Can you bring Bubba a real puppy please?”

Brady A. in Bre Oglesby’s pre-K class was very understanding when he wrote, “Dear Santa, I want a real skidsteer but I know I have to be big like Daddy, so you can just bring a toy one this year. Love, Brady.”