All I want for Christmas . . .

By LANE DEGREGORY
Published December 22, 2006

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Every December, thousands of letters to Santa wind through local post offices, where elflike helpers forward them to the big man. Some wish lists scrawl across pages, with lines and arrows and ranking systems spelled out. Others are photo collages cut from catalogs so Santa is sure to bring the right model. Here are a couple of wish lists from St. Petersburg children, copied before they went on to the North Pole.

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This one was written in pencil, on the back of a sheet of green paper. The girl had taped photos of the doll and her accessories on the back side of the letter.

Dear Santa,

I really want an American girl doll for Christmas. The one I want is Elizabeth. My favorite piece of clothing is the purple dress and the black shoes. But I really want the winter clothes because when it starts getting cold out I want to keep Elizabeth warm. I can tell by the look on her face she is a flute player.

The make-up things are for when she has sleepovers with her best friends. The swimming suit, flip-flops and the motorcycle are for when we go to the beach or if we go swimming. I thought that Elizabeth might want a friend so I want to get her a pet cat. I should get her some p.j.s so she will have something warm and comfortable for bed.

Not but last, least the pink dress. I really want it because I want to match her sometimes.

Sincerely,

Sarah

P.S. I hope I at least get Elizabeth!

The next letter was typed on a computer, printed on Santa stationery. Except for the first sentence, it's just a list that continues across two columns. Here are excerpts.

Dear Santa,

I've been a very good boy and I hope you've had a good year.

A builder choo-choo train

A fan for my bedroom

A Navy plane

A poker set

A remote control Army tank

A Star Wars ship

A vending machine

An aircraft carrier

Army camouflage boots

Army clothes

Big box of John Deere trucks

Camouflage GameBoy case

Camouflage pencil case

Camouflage towel with name

Guitar

Laser tag

Medium size Army guys

Thank you Santa!

Love,

Collin

Word for Word is an occasional feature excerpting passages of interest from books, magazines, Web sites and other sources. The text may be edited for space but the original spelling, grammar and punctuation are unchanged.