Millions of children are writing to Santa Claus ahead of Christmas asking for gifts from digital cameras to CDs. With the big day approaching, there's frantic activity near the Arctic Circle as Santa Claus, the elves and Rudolph prepare for to set off on their marathon trip around the globe.

Santa's village, in the Arctic Circle in Finland, is buzzing with activity. Rovaniemi, in Finland, is where Santa Claus, lives, works and plays.

Thousands of children have travelled all the way to the village to deliver their wish lists to Santa Claus in person.

Amy Coates, 4-years-old From England, said, "I want the new Michael Jackson CD for Christmas."

Sophie Coates, 6-years-old From England, said, "I want a trumpet from Father Christmas."

Curtis Roberts, 9-years-old From England, said, "This year I really want a camera from Santa. A digital one."

And as Elf Johanna reveals, this year's most popular wish is for a video game.

Elf Johanna, Santa's Helper, said, "This year children are asking for a lot of different games, especially video games so that they can play with their friends or family."

At Santa's main post office the elves are busy stamping letters the children can send home. Their main job, however, is to take care of all the wish lists Santa receives every year. Since 1985 Santa Claus has received some 14 million letters.

Last year most letters came from children in the United Kingdom - 190-thousand children wrote to Santa from the UK. Romania came second with 75-thousand letters and Italy third with 70,000 letters.

This year one letter came all the way from Togo, making it the 198th country from which a child has written to Santa.

Santa Claus said, "What is in the sacks? They are secret until the last moment. But I can give you some hints; books, a doll house, a truck, jumper, pullover, woollen socks and dolls and then little rally cars (laughs)."

Singing Jingle Bells, Santa rides off to visit good boys and girls the world over.

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