A new report says children on the island of Ireland have been some of the best children in the world in 2024.

Sources say numbers on the 'nice list' are up 200% with numbers on the 'naughty list' falling below zero.

Children all over Ireland are making last-minute preparations for Christmas Day.

There are just four sleeps until Santa Claus makes his annual trip around the world to deliver presents.

Many experts have said 2024 may be a record-breaking year for good behaviour amongst Irish children.

Christmas preparations

Irish children are preparing their homes for Mr Claus' visit in different ways.

“I have hung some things on the tree, put out cookies, biscuits and milk,” one child said.

Another said: “To get ready for Christmas, we put our stockings and our tree.”

Another little girl said her family put up their lights to celebrate Christmas.

Around the world

As we get closer to Santa making his big annual trip around the world, some children had theories about how his sleigh and reindeer get around the world so fast.

“The reindeers move fast because most of the children leave out special reindeer food and it makes them all hyper,” one little girl said.

Another child suggested that Santa gives the reindeer “loads of porridge” to get them to fly.

“I think Santa goes around the world because of the time difference magic,” another little girl said.

Finally, another child said, “When he's in the sky, the time freezes for him, so a minute for you is like an hour for him.”

There are just four sleeps until Mr Claus takes to the skies from the North Pole.

Santa Claus. Image: Alamy