Syrian children ask for violins and lions after 1st meeting with Santa

Wesan Hsakh swiped at the cookie crumbs around her mouth and grinned. The 13-year-old Syrian refugee had just seen Santa and told him about her wish list.

It was not a list unlike that of many other teenage girls.

"I wish to Santa so I can have an iPad, so I can have a telephone and makeup," she said.

"I wish too, I can have a backpack," she added after some more consideration.

Unlike many of her Canadian peers, Wesan has never written a letter to Santa before.

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The teen had never even met him until Wednesday night, when she and her family attended a Santa party at the Multicultural Association of Fredericton.

The party, organized for Syrian refugees, their sponsors, friends and volunteers of the association, was well attended by more than 300 guests.

For Wesan and her family, this is their first Christmas.

The family had arrived in Fredericton 10 days earlier and Robiya Hsakh, Wesan's mother, said they are just settling in. They were nervous but enjoyed meeting people, she said.

"Canada is very good," she said.

"It is important to celebrate Christmas."

A party for all faiths

It was a first Christmas for many of the refugees, as most families from Syria arrived sometime after Dec. 25, 2015, said Lisa Bamford De Gante, executive director of the association.

She said they decided to call it a Santa party so people from all faiths felt welcome.

It was a festive atmosphere with families decorating cookies, building gingerbread houses and taking pictures of their children sitting on Santa's lap.

A few people could even be overheard singing karaoke to holiday tunes.

They wanted to bring people together but also showcase a part of Canadian culture, she said.

"Winter can be kind of cold and isolating for people," she said.

"This is a chance to be together in a warm atmosphere, have hot chocolates, some great holiday cookies. Just a chance to have fun and celebrate the season."

Wesan Hsakh was not the only one with an extensive wish list. Other children asked for everything from lions to violins, and lots of candy.

Their parents meanwhile took hundreds of photos of their children sitting on Santa's lap. Some even dressed up their youngest in little red dresses and glitter.

"First Christmas," said Aarfan Al Hdawich, who arrived in Fredericton with his three children, wife and mother in February.

"Very nice."