Kids still said the darnedest things -- to Santa Claus

Visiting Santa brings out mixed emotions for the children of Michael and Lauren Woodsmall, Greencastle, at the annual Tri-Kappa Breakfast with Santa Saturday at Deer Meadow Primary School. While three-year-old Remy is busy conferring with Santa Claus, one-year-old Gia would rather be anywhere else.

Banner Graphic/Eric Bernsee

For decades each Yuletide season, youngsters would thumb through the voluminous Sears catalogue for hours on end, jotting down all they wanted for Christmas -- sans those two front teeth.

Now there’s no Sears catalogue around to set those youthful dreams in motion. Heck, there can’t be more than a handful of Sears stores left.

But that didn’t stop youngsters at the 28th annual Tri-Kappa Breakfast with Santa from conveying their desires to the Jolly Old Elf during Saturday’s annual program at Deer Meadow Primary School.

Taking part in the craft-making portion of Breakfast with Santa Saturday at Deer Meadow Primary School, six-year-old Quinn Keck (left) and friend Madison Hyland work on creating picture holders.

Banner Graphic/Eric Bernsee

The kids came prepared. One little girl, upon entering the Deer Meadow gym and spotting Santa at the far end, turned to her mother to implore, “Shhh! There he is …”

Eavesdropping on a couple dozen youngsters, not a single kid asked for traditional presents like a doll (Barbie or otherwise), a football or even that Holy Grail of Christmas gifts, the Red Ryder BB gun (you’ll shoot your eye out!).

Instead we decoded such Christmas targets as Hatchimals, Legos, Star Wars toys or even cellphones.

Four-year-old Owen Custis, son of Joe and Mandi Custis of Greencastle, brought Santa a list – a two-sided list -- with items on both sides.

After he and Santa went over the items, front and back, the Man in Red suggested, “How about some surprises?”

Content with his list, Owen responded emphatically with: “No!”

Meanwhile, seven-year-old Olivia Hatfield also brought in something special to share with Santa.

The daughter of Jessica Hatfield and Tyler Hatfield of Greencastle brought along a photo, showing her sleeping with her Elf “Chip” sharing her pillow. On the back of the photo was a message from Chip himself.

Santa carefully read the note and gave Olivia a hug.

Reese Mishler topped them all. He asked Santa for Chapstick.

Chapstick? Like the lip balm?

“He had three of them this week, I don’t know what he did with them,” mother Erin Ferrand said.

If your kids didn’t get a chance to tell Santa what they want for Christmas there will be another opportunity 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Putnam County Courthouse.