Iqaluit (Dec 20/04) - There is a sign up in front of the Pentecostal Church in Iqaluit that reads: "Christmas: It's all about Jesus!"That is true.

But for many people, Christmas is all about Santa Claus, hanging your stocking by the chimney with care and waiting to see what hot, new toys are under the glittering tree in the middle of the house on Dec. 25.

Last week was busy at North Mart in Iqaluit, one of the biggest places to shop for toys and gifts in Nunavut.

Marina Akavak-Flaherty was standing in front of a cute, plastic cow as her mom and sister shopped around.

The little toy cow that caught Marina's attention moos and drinks a spinning milk shake every time you touch a button.

Kids in Nunavut know what all the hot toys are. But they don't count on them. It may be that kids grow up here with limited choice in the cool-toy department, because the stores here can only carry so many products.

The Internet makes anything possible, but it can take weeks for a package to arrive here at Christmas time.

In Gjoa Haven ,the Northern store stocked up on items featuring the popular Dora the Explorer character.

"Dora pull-out couches, bubble bath, candy, and of course dolls. Anything with Dora is instantly hot," said Matt Gee speaking of the adorable brown eyed cartoon character.

Sony's Playstation is also very high on kids' wish lists this year, said Gee.

Where the winters are long, indoor games go over well.

The battle of Microsoft's X-Box versus the Playstation was big this year, adding to the excitement over their products, said Gee.

Neither company would release their new systems until the last minute, which created enormous anticipation.

The hottest video games for Northern kids according to many people tend to be hockey-related games and the new Grand Theft Auto.

But it is impossible to generalize, as many kids in Nunavut are just not into material things at Christmas.

"I'm not asking for anything," said Sam Joanasie, a Grade 12 student in Cape Dorset.

"I don't want much. I just want to hang out with my family and friends," she added.