Holiday Wishes: Pets and Love at the Top of Young Hearts' Wish Lists
Tons of heartfelt wish lists from kids have already reached the three Christmas post offices in Lower Saxony, including Himmelsthür, Himmelpforten, and Nikolausdorf. Jens Osterwald, the coordinator of the Himmelsthür Christmas post office, shared that their office has already received 9340 letters from youngsters hailing from 65 countries. These selfless volunteers have been working tirelessly, penning heartfelt replies for days.
Kids often ask for smartphones, gaming consoles, dolls, or pets. But their heartfelt wishes extend beyond materialistic possessions. Osterwald shared that the children have wishes for wellness and peace, as well. One touching letter asked for everyone, worldwide, to have someone who loves them. Another surprisingly requested pizza for Santa on Christmas Eve, instead of the traditional milk and cookies.
Himmelsthür, located in Hildesheim, has been the home to this heartwarming tradition for many years. However, over the last few years, the team has moved their operations to the Pattensen mail center in Hanover. This dedicated group of volunteers and postal workers have answered around 28,000 wish lists last year, with hopes to reach more this year.
Children can also send their letters to the Christ Child in Himmelpforten, Stade district. The volunteers have already responded to around 6500 heartfelt requests. Wolfgang Dipper, the campaign's coordinator, has been a part of this magical tradition for 20 years now, initially as a civil servant at the post office and now in retirement.
Kids from Nikolausdorf, part of the municipality of Garrel (district of Cloppenburg), have also been receiving replies to their Christmas letters for more than 50 years. Deutsche Post shares that the volunteers processed almost 6000 letters last year.
Beyond these three locations, there are four other Christmas post offices in Germany that bring joy and love to children worldwide.
Pets and Love: The Nexus of Wishes
The growing affection towards animals among youngsters is evident in their holiday wishes. Many children in Lower Saxony asked for pets as gifts in their wish lists. Volunteers at the Pattensen mail center work diligently to respond to each letter, ensuring the children's requests for toys, colorful pets, and even thoughtful wishes receive heartfelt replies.
One heartwarming letter expressed the wish for "everyone in the Lower Saxony region and around the world to have a loving pet to keep them company during the Christmas season." To foster a sense of love and harmony between children and pets during Christmas, the Himmelsthür post office has been promoting responsible pet ownership on their social media platforms. They share photos of children and their beloved pets, spreading the joy and love that pets bring into their lives during the holiday season.
The Christmas post office in Pattensen encourages children to add toys and gifts for their pets to their wish lists. Acknowledging the significant role pets play in enhancing children's happiness and well-being during the festive season, they ensure that no child, even their furry friends, are left out of the holiday joy.
Sources: Stern
Enrichment Data:
The growing affection towards pets among youngsters in Lower Saxony and the rest of Germany can be seen as a part of a broader societal shift worldwide. Pets are increasingly being considered as family members, rather than just animals. This cultural shift often leads to pets being included in family celebrations and gift-giving traditions, including Christmas.
- Family-Friendly Environment: A family homestead near Berlin is an example of a setting where pets are integral members of the "paw family." This kind of environment can contribute to the normalization of pets as part of family life, potentially influencing children's wishes for pets during holidays.
- Pet-Friendly Accommodations: Airbnb listings in Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge indicate a pet-friendly environment. This acceptance of pets in German society could extend to considering pets as gifts, especially in regions where outdoor activities and nature are highly valued.
While the specific query about pets as gifts on children's Christmas wish lists in Lower Saxony is not directly addressed, these points suggest that the cultural and societal context in Germany is conducive to pets being seen as integral to family life, which could influence gift-giving traditions.
