As December 2025 settles in, the familiar festive frenzy has prompted a beloved Perth voice to put pen to paper for a timeless tradition. Nat Locke, the popular columnist for The West Australian's STM, has officially drafted her annual letter to Santa Claus, blending relatable desires with a dash of West Aussie humour.
A Wishlist for the Weary and Hopeful
Locke admits the arrival of the festive season took her by surprise, but she's now embracing it, even contemplating putting up her Christmas tree. Her list, penned in early December, kicks off with a plea familiar to many adults: a full, uninterrupted eight hours of sleep. She dreams of a night free from alarms, strange noises, and her cat's early morning 'gifts'.
From the deeply personal, her requests expand to the global. She adds world peace to her list, noting it would make news bulletins cheerier. Closer to home, she wishes for a green thumb to transform her gardening efforts from a cycle of plant casualties at her Perth home into a thriving backyard haven.
The Practical Pleas of a Perth Local
Locke's list takes a sharply practical turn with a grievance shared by many Australians. She makes a heartfelt appeal for shoe shops to stock more size 10 shoes. She recounts the common frustration of being told her size is sold out, even revealing a story where a retailer only ordered three pairs per design in size 10, which were snapped up by staff.
Her social wishes are simple yet profound. She longs for courteous thank-you waves in traffic to restore her faith in humanity. On the digital front, she dreams of a social media feed curated purely for joy—filled with rescued sloths, capybaras, heartwarming dog reunions, and cooking videos, filtering out the noise of online scandals and unsolicited advice.
One Final, Footy-Flavoured Request
Not wanting to appear too greedy, Locke concludes with a sporting plea close to the heart of many in Western Australia. She asks Santa for the West Coast Eagles to rise from the doldrums in the 2026 AFL season. A realist, she doesn't demand finals glory, but hopes for a few unexpected wins and a positive momentum shift for the team.
With her wishes sent, Locke officially declares the festive season open. She signs off, noting she'll be eyeing off fruit mince pies for the next few weeks, likely waiting to buy them at a post-Christmas discount. The column, published on Sunday, 7 December 2025, and accompanied by a portrait of Locke at Elizabeth Quay's carousel, captures the mixed bag of hope, humour, and humble wants that defines the Christmas spirit for many.
