A 'dad' is tenth most popular Christmas list request for children with youngsters happy
to forgo the latest iPad, toy or new pet, a survey has found.

When it comes to Christmas, it might be safe to assume children will ask Santa for an
extensive list of toys, games and treats.

But a survey of their typical lists for Father Christmas has shown many have more
 serious concerns, requesting "a dad" instead.

A study of 2,000 British parents found most children will put a new baby brother or
sister at the top of their Christmas list, closely followed by a request far a real-life
reindeer.

A "pet horse" was the third most popular choice, with a "car" making a bizarre entry
 at number four.

Despite their material requests, the tenth most popular Christmas wish on the list was
a "Dad".

The survey, of consumers at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, found
children aged three to 12 years also wanted a dog, chocolate and a stick of rock.



Traditional hopes for a white Christmas were represented by a wish for "snow" in
 ninth place, with sensible youngsters also requesting a "house".



Of the top 50 festive requests, 17 related to pets and animals, with some imaginative
children hoping for a donkey, chicken and elephant.



iPhones and iPads also appeared on the list, with some quirky children asking for the
moon, a time machine, a pond cover and beetroot. One child asked for Eva



Longoria and another wanted Harry Styles from One Direction.



A request for a "mum" reached number 23 on the list.