'Dear Santa Claus, How are you? This year I was, well, on a scale of one to ten I was probably an eight because I got on Mom's nervers a lot this year. (not intencholley).
"Anyway, I would like a dog," writes Amanda of Ellicott City.
At the main post office in downtown Baltimore, are hundreds of letters addressed to Santa Claus. Some added North Pole Toy Workshop, N.P., 11111, to ensure delivery. The post office will get more than 2,000 letters. It, of course, forwards them all to the North Pole and sends a greeting to children telling them their lists have been delivered.
The letters to Santa include cut-out pictures of toys and wads of coupons from Toys R Us -- no lists, just coupons. Take your pick Santa and pick often. Many letters are written on lined notebook paper with few staying in the lines; others are penned in a mother's unmistakable handwriting.
Others are on computer paper, which doesn't look right for some reason. One of Santa's helpers at the Post Office opened a letter from a boy who wanted them to fax him Santa's reply to his fax machine at home.Children, after all, are at that computer age.
Forget the technology, though. Kids are kids are kids. They believe. They still want a puppy for Christmas. They still ask about Mrs. Claus and how the reindeer are doing this year. They still leave milk and cookies, and wonder whether Santa prefers oatmeal or chocolate chip.
They still butter up the Fat Man ("Saw you at the Mall, looked great!"), they still innocently misspell words, and they still grovel. They still claim to have been very good boys and girls this year -- despite isolated incidents of meanness toward younger and inferior siblings.
And children still love that perky literary invention called the P.S.
Jessica from Glen Burnie: "I know I haven't been all that nice to William but I do my best," she wrote. "P.S. Just bring William anything on T.V. and he'll be happy."
Melissa of Annapolis writes, on computer paper: "Dear Mr. C. Here are my Christmas list. I reley want to meet you. P.S. I like you a lot even I did not meet you. One more thing, How do you down the chimney?"
"P.S. Just be easy on yourself," Adam of Baltimore wrote Santa.
"P.S. Surprise me," a girl named Emily wrote.
This year, kids tried the same strategy used throughout the ages. It's the first tenet of writing Santa: Confess and repent before unloading the 20-item wish list that's obsessed with Power Rangers or Barbie.
From Baldwin, young Michael ended all discussion on his behavior by invoking an air-tight reference. "I have been a really good boy this year cause my mom said so."
Steven of Baltimore: "Santa, I am a nine year old good boy. I do everything my father asks me to do. Also, I respect my teacher, classmates and all adults. Santa, I'm not trying to convince you that I'm angel but, I'm a typical nine year old boy.
The rest of his letter will break your heart:
"My reason for writing you is: my father is working part-time and won't be able to get me the toys I'm wishing for. Santa, I know I can't get everything I want. But these are the things on my list. (1) 18 Speed terrain bike (2) super nintendo (3) color t.v.
Most of all, I would like to give my father a gift, he never get gifts.
If you (Santa) happen to by past my chimney, I understand and I still love you and everybody in the world. I'm praying every night.
Casandra, 11, from Baltimore, wanted an Apple computer last year for schoolwork but didn't get one. Her dad "pass away not long ago, so I just new you would get our list this year!" she wrote. "My mom she said she like the little girl on mircial on 34th St. she wish for a home of our own."
Shawn of Baltimore aired it out in his letter to Santa:
Dear Santa,
I want a....
Ford Explorer. Monorail Transport Base.
Color TV.
Police Car.
Fire Engine.
Tomeka of Baltimore wrote a sweet letter mentioning that her mother really wants everyone in the world to experience lasting love and peace this Christmas and throughout the New Year. Very nice. But, "what I want is a bike," she added.
Finally, young Reginald of Baltimore dropped Santa a line this year. Only one item was written on his piece of notebook paper. Just one reasonable request from Reginald:
$275.00.