It could be one of the most important letters your child sends this year, so to ensure they receive a response from Santa make sure they're popped in the post by Sunday.

But digital cards will still get a reply after that by email, says New Zealand Post spokesperson Tina Morgan.

'This year children can write a traditional letter to Santa and put it in the post, or go onto the Write to Santa website and have some fun decorating and sending their own digital postcard to Santa.

'Families have really embraced the interactive website and we've already had over 10,000 digital postcards sent to Santa. Traditional letters remain popular too, and we've had more than 40,000 come in so far from individuals and schools.”

New Zealand Post is working with the Blind Foundation and children can opt to be sent a response from Santa in large text or braille.

'Children have been sending some lovely messages and requests in to Santa.”

One child said their Christmas wish was that boys and girls who don't have much of anything get lots of presents from Santa this year. Another wished Santa a safe journey and said she didn't mind what she got … but if Santa had a spare scooter, she would really like a red one.

There's a bit of a wheels theme in this year's present requests with remote control cars, monster trucks, bikes and scooters all featuring highly. Electronic toys and devices are popular, including tablets, gaming consoles and phones.

Pets also feature on the wish lists, including requests for a monkey, a penguin and a pony - though it has to be a pony that doesn't kick.

Santa will be especially busy this Christmas as 9 out of 10 children who've written in say they've been nice, and not naughty.

To make sure Santa receives your letter in time make sure you pop them in the post by Sunday, December 4, but if you want to send him a digital postcard visit www.nzpost.co.nz/writetosanta