Letter to Santa: UAE residents' X'mas wish list

December is a special time of year for Messrs. Santa Claus & Elves as they work hard to prepare for their big trip on Christmas Eve.

Up at their headquarters in North Pole, Santa and his elves will be busy trying to find special gifts for all the boys and girls who have been good.

But who says it’s just the kids who ask Santa for the goodies? We asked UAE residents (and we are not talking about tiny tots), and you bet they have their wish-list ready for Santa this Christmas.

With the couple of dismal years behind us, the list seems to have become longer this time – like winning a whole big bag of cash, the top-end latest 2013 car model and perhaps a double promotion even though the company we may work for is still performing below the set target levels.

Approaching the boss with our constant cribbing isn’t always a good idea. And asking daddy dear for money when he’s a retired man now is downright shameful (maybe). Perhaps, it’s Santa who can grant us our wishes. He works hard and will never retire, just for us.

When it comes to receiving Christmas gifts, even the grown-ups tend to believe in Santa. Here’s what some of us in the UAE want him to leave in the stocking this year.

The majority (30 per cent) of UAE residents who participated in an Emirates 24|7 online poll want to hit the jackpot this year – that’s a lot of raffles to be won.

“I’m tired of participating in all the raffle draws. I’ve tried making smileys on the tickets and have requested to be picked up but nothing works. Maybe Santa can help me. I want to hit a jackpot. Please grant me this one wish,” said a respondent.

Close to those who want to hit a jackpot are people who want a better salary now. Twenty-nine per cent of UAE residents want Santa to grant them a better salary.

“There are no pay hikes, no bonuses. I don’t trust my agent. Santa, please get me a better salary, I got bills to pay and I got mouths to feed and nobody is listening,” quipped another respondent.

Not many (3 per cent) have a car on their wish list from Santa this Christmas.

And who says money is all we wish for? Happiness stems from a perfect family – which includes the perfect spouse and children. Five per cent of UAE residents want to get married this year and 9 per cent want a baby. Interestingly, 2 per cent, on the other hand, want riddance from a nagging partner. Santa, are you listening?

With so many things we’ve wished for, some feel Santa might be over-loaded this year and have not asked for anything – 21 per cent of the online participants have no wishes this year.

Beware Santa, these people may already be preparing the next year’s list.

Dear Santa,

The last few years have not been easy on us. Why did our double-digits pay-hikes disappear because those high-flying bankers in the US got their math wrong? In 2008, you gave us bonuses the size of a camel. Last year, they didn’t even beat a Chihuahua. Can you please return those good ’ol bonuses?

I believe you’ve traded-in your old sleigh for a new Ferrari Sleigh. Why then am I still driving my old car (fit enough to be a vintage piece in a few years’ time)? Can you please look into it?

Santa, can you (pretty please) grant us a jackpot this year. We’ve been working hard all these years but can we get some money without labouring for it?

Get us a better salary, Santa – the growth seems to be tapering off.

And if you think we’re all money-minded… well, that isn’t true at all. Some of us wish to get married – can you fit that dream girl or the knight in shining armour into our stockings?

Then there are those of us who wish to start a family this year – can you please see that the little one is born hale and healthy?

We know you exist, yes you do – so please please grant us our wishes this year.

In anticipation,

UAE Residents

P.S. Please give Mrs Claus my best and tell the reindeer we’ll have the carrots out again this year. Your standing order of chocolate chip and camel-shaped cookies will be on the hearth.

Image courtesy Shutterstock

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