PARKERSBURG - With just a few more days to go, children throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley have been sending letters to Santa, asking for gifts and happiness this Christmas season.
Gift requests ranged from electronics, such as video game systems, to toys, such as dolls and stuffed animals, to the more unusual, like fishing supplies and new brakes for a 4-wheeler.
Many children were careful to make their case for gifts, talking about their good behavior or even deflecting blame.
Article Photos
Photos by Michael Erb
Children throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley have been writing to Santa Claus this holiday season, asking for gifts for Christmas.
"Dear Santa, I have been good this year," Abby wrote. "If there was any trouble I'm sure it was my brothers."
Abby asked for an elf for Christmas.
Carley sent two letters, the first asking "Dear Santa, will you please send me a list of the noty (sic) and nice list. Love Carley."
In her second letter she had a long list of wants, including a Monster High Doll kit, a One Direction calendar and a Justin Bieber CD, but added a note at the bottom of the page.
"P.S. thank you for getting my letter even if I can't look at the noghty (sic) and nice list," she wrote.
"I am still happy you got my letter."
"Dear Santa, I've been really good this year. I've cleaned my room and listen to my mom and dad," wrote Cameron. "I hope you enjoy the milk and cookies that we leave you cause they'll be good I promise."
Cameron asked for a Blue Thunder remote controlled monster truck.
Jasmine began her letter thanking Santa for last year's gifts before talking about this year's behavior.
"I have been pretty good this year. I'm trying harder to listen to mommy and I'm doing great in school," she wrote. "Being 5 is a big change."
Jasmine asked for a karaoke machine, some CuddleUppets, a Stompeez, a Nintendo DS, and "toys for needy kids."
McKenzie began her letter with some small talk.
"Dear Santa Clause (sic), How has your year been so far? Are the elves having fun making all of the toys? How have your reindeer been?" she wrote. "I hope all is going smoothly in preparing for Christmas Eve."
Then she got down to business.
"This year I have tried very hard to be a good girl," McKenzie wrote.
"I try my best to be nice to others and be kind to my sisters. Sometimes I get a little angry but deep down I always love them."
McKenzie asked for a Kindle Fire, some gum and hand sanitizer.
Jada of Parkersburg took a different approach, praising Santa for all of his hard work without including a wish list.
"I am very happy that you came and gave me and every body presents," she wrote. "I love Christmas. Thank you for all you do. Making kids dreams come true.
"P.S.," she wrote, "hope you like the cookies. Write back!"
Marshall, a first-grader at a Parkersburg school, asked for cars and trucks, but also asked for a little extra help this holiday season.
"I hope my family problems will all get better, but most of I wish everybody that's hungrey (sic) will get to eat, and I wish for world peace," he wrote.
Logan of Belpre used his letter to Santa to ask for help for a friend.
"You do not have to get me all of those presents," he wrote.
"Please let Karla's dog Doc get better, if he doesn't could you bring her a new puppy so Karla isn't lonely."
