Dear Santa! My name is Maksym, I am 11 years old. My biggest dream is for the war to end and for peace to reign all over the world. I also wish for my family and loved ones to be healthy. This year, I would like you to make a surprise for me. I will not ask you for something specific, but I hope that whatever I receive, I will like it.

Dear Santa! My name is Sofiia, I am 9 years old, and I live in Zaporizhzhia, in the frontline zone. This year there were many air raid alerts and explosions, but I tried to study well, clean my room, help my mother, and take care of the kittens. I love reading very much, but now books are expensive, and we cannot always afford to buy new ones. That is why I dream of having my own e-book — with it, I could read whenever I want. Santa, I truly believe in your miracles and thank you for everything. I will continue to try to be a strong and kind child. With love, Sofiia.

My name is Dasha, I am 12 years old! Before the war, I lived in the small seaside town of Berdiansk on the shore of the Azov Sea. I went to school and loved drawing very much. Summers there were wonderful — we would always go to the sea. The water was warm and gentle, and I miss it deeply, as well as my town, my friends, and the joyful life I once had. Now all of that has been taken from me. After the occupation, my family and I moved to Zaporizhzhia. My only wish is to return to my home, to go back there, see my grandmother, and go to my own school again. I want everything to be as it was — or maybe even better. I hope and believe that it will be so.

Dear Santa! My name is Yeva, I am 11 years old. My family and I left the occupied territory, and now we live in Zaporizhzhia. It is also dangerous here, but we believe in victory and that Ukraine will once again be peaceful. I love drawing very much and I collect figurines. This is my hobby, and it helps me distract myself from sad thoughts. I dream of receiving a Calne Co figurine as a gift. Thank you, Santa, for always supporting children and giving hope.

Santa, I really want wireless Bluetooth headphones.

Thank you for your protection.

Dear Santa! My name is Bohdan, I am 8 years old. I live in the city of Zaporizhzhia, but I used to live in the city of Enerhodar, which is now under occupation. My dream is for Santa to gift me a tablet or a scooter. And I also wish for the long war to end and for our dear Ukraine to win. My height is 140 cm and my weight is 25 kg.

My name is Sofiia. I am from the small town of Tokmak. When the war began, I was still going to kindergarten. I dreamed of starting 1st grade together with my friends. At the beginning of the war, my family and I moved to Zaporizhzhia. Here, I went to school and began ballroom dancing, and I made many new friends. After our victory, I dream of going back to Tokmak, swinging on my favorite swing, and visiting the Azov Sea. I also want to hug my relatives. Ukraine will win. I am 9 years old. Please gift me a bean bag chair and victory. And may my friend’s father return safely from the war.

My name is Kyrylo, I am 13 years old. Please gift me a computer mouse pad and weapons for our soldiers so that they can defeat Russia. I want the war to end. I don’t want to hear air raid sirens anymore. I want the soldiers to come home. I want to return to my hometown. After the war, our Ukraine will be a free, unbreakable, and wonderful country. We are a small but unbreakable people. We have ancient traditions that connect many generations. We are a kind and independent nation, ready to defend our interests to the very end. Ukraine has proven to the whole world its determination to win. We want peace and victory. We want to walk with our families through the streets and parks. We want people to return from abroad. We want to gather with our families around a big victorious festive table.

Dear Santa! My name is Aksiniia, I am 12 years old, and I live with my grandmother. I live in Zaporizhzhia. I would like a tablet, because I have behaved well throughout the year. And I would also like a toy goose.

Dear Santa,

My name is Diana. I live on 2 Dniprovska Street, apartment 12. I live with my grandmother, and I am 10 years old. I would like a smartwatch. I have behaved well all year.

Hello! My name is Diana, I am 10 years old, and I study in the 5th grade. I also play music. I would be very happy to receive a tablet or Lego, and I want to explain why this is important to me. If I have a tablet, I will be able not only to play but also to study. There are apps that make it fun to learn English, math, and even to draw or read books. I want to use it for studying, creativity, and development. And of course, sometimes it would be nice to relax with a cartoon or a game.

If I have Lego, I will be able to build anything I want—houses, cars, even space rockets! This will help me train my imagination, become more attentive, and learn not to give up when something doesn’t work out the first time. I love constructing and inventing new things.

I don’t just want these things—I see how they can help me grow, learn, and create something interesting with my hands and my mind. Thank you.

Hello, my name is Illia, I am 13 years old. I was born and live in the wonderful city of Zaporizhzhia. Unfortunately, now it is a frontline city and, due to its closeness to the combat areas, it is under constant shelling. Like all children, I am very frightened by the explosions and the sounds of rockets, Shaheds, and gunfire. I want our country to win and for peace to finally reign. I really want to believe that all our forces will help us achieve this! Despite everything, I wish for peace and prosperity for my country. I would also like a Lego Technic Motorcycle set. Thank you for supporting children.

Dear Santa! My name is Sofiika, I am 9 years old. I try to be polite, listen to my parents, and help at home. I really love drawing and playing with my friends. This year I dream of receiving from you a big soft toy bunny, so I will have someone to hug before bedtime. I would also be very happy if you put some tasty treats for me. Thank you for your kindness and care! With love, your Sofiika.

Dear Santa! My name is Oleksandr, I am 12 years old. I tried to be obedient all year. I helped my parents and studied well at school. I really dream of receiving from you a big Lego set of military vehicles or cars. I would also be very happy with delicious sweets and school supplies. Thank you for your kindness and for the gifts you give to all children! With respect, Oleksandr Volodymyrovych.

Dear Santa! My name is Platon, I am 9 years old. I live in Ukraine, in the city of Zaporizhzhia, together with my mother. My father is now serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He is far away, so I rarely get to see him, and I miss him very much. I dream that he will return alive and healthy. The war has been going on for almost four years. My mother and I often hear sirens and explosions — it is very scary and dangerous, so we go to shelters or hide behind two walls in the corridor. Because of the danger, I have studied mostly online during all my school years. It is difficult for me because I don’t have a convenient device for learning, and I cannot always keep up with all the assignments.

My biggest wish now is to have my own laptop or a tablet with a big screen, so that I can study properly, do my homework, and see my teachers and classmates during lessons. I promise to take good care of it and use it only for useful things. Dear Santa, I also very much wish that you would give me not only this device but also peace for Ukraine — so that all fathers and mothers can come home and children can sleep peacefully without explosions and sirens.

With hope,

Platon

Dear Santa! My biggest dream is for our soldiers to soon see victory and return home with happy smiles, to be reunited with their families, and to joyfully welcome peace together. In the future, I want to live calmly without explosions and sirens, and to go to school again. And on Santa Day, I would also like to receive size 41 sneakers and an art set.

Dear Santa, my biggest dream is for the war to end, to go to school every day, and to play football with my classmates. In the future, I want to live peacefully without explosions and sirens. For Santa Day, I would like to receive football cleats (size 38) and goalkeeper gloves. This year, I am waiting for miracles and for peace in our beloved Ukraine.

construction set and a big toy car

I am Arina Ivanets. I am 12 years old and live in the city of Zaporizhzhia. I have been doing modern dance since I was five years old. In the future, I dream of opening my own dance studio. For now, I dream of peace in my country. I would also like to have a bicycle, because mine has become too small for me.

My name is Margaryta. I am 7 years old. I live in the city of Zaporizhzhia. I dream of learning how to fish. But for that, I need fishing gear — a fishing rod, hooks, floats, and a boat. When I have all of this, I will definitely catch a huge pike. I will make a wish for the war to end and then release it back into the river.

Hello, Santa! My name is David, I am 11 years old. When the war began, we moved from Marhanets to Zaporizhzhia. I want the war to end soon so that we can return home… I love studying and I dream of having my own tablet.

Good day!

My name is Maria. I am 14 years old. I am a student at Zaporizhzhia Gymnasium No. 2 named after Lesia Ukrainka. I have moved up to the 9th grade. I dream of having a beautiful dress for my graduation. I would like it to be in burgundy color. I really like a long dress with a slit along the leg and with a corset. If someone can make my dream come true, I would be very grateful. This would be the best Christmas gift for me. My height is 173 cm, and my size is L (44–46).

With gratitude,

Maria Koval.

Any toy

Hello, Santa. My name is Illia. I am 10 years old and I am already in the 5th grade. I live in Zaporizhzhia together with my mother, sister, and grandmother. But my grandfather is defending our country, and I cannot spend time with him as I used to. That is why my greatest dream is victory, though I understand that you are not all-powerful. Recently, I made a best friend, and he has a skateboard. He let me ride it, and I liked it so much that since then I have been dreaming of having my own skateboard. So I would like to ask you for this gift.

Hello, Santa! My name is Hlib, I am 13 years old. Now I live in the city of Zaporizhzhia. I was born in the city of Donetsk and lived there for 3 years. Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, my family and I had to change our place of residence three times. Last year, Russia destroyed my grandmother’s house with a missile strike. I used to spend every summer there, but sadly I never will again.

Because of the war, children in Zaporizhzhia study online. At school, we rarely meet in person, since the security situation does not allow us to study freely. But I really want to see my peers every day. I play football, and I am very happy when I go to training, because there I can run, play, and talk with my peers.

I would very much like to ask you for peace. But I am sure you are already working on that. I would also really like you to gift me Nike football cleats, size 44, and a football uniform, size L, height 173 cm. I would be very happy with such a gift. I promise that I will train diligently. Thank you for being there.