Microsoft's direct line to Santa

Santa Claus is certain to top the list of kids' favourite adults year after year in spite of the distinct lack of two-way communication, but a new festive product from Microsoft aims to consolidate the myth by providing a direct line to the North Pole.

Using Windows Live Messenger, kids can chat with Santa online in real time. By simply adding the rotund disperser of Christmas cheer to their contact list, customers can open up a new window in which they can idle the time away conversing with St Nick.

The software giant said in a statement: "Filling Santa in on Christmas wishes and asking all about how the reindeer are doing or what's new at the North Pole are a few of the things kids can talk to Santa about.

"Santa can even tell kids where they stand on his list: naughty or nice."

Furthermore, from the morning of Christmas Eve, kids can check up on Santa's journey around the world.

Once they ask him where he is, they will be directed to the American Aerospace Defense Command Santa-tracking site through a link in the conversation window in order to find out when their presents will arrive.