Don Morris, 71, of Gardner has been helping Santa Claus for 12 years by listening as boys and girls, big and little, offer their wish lists for Christmas. Morris, who retired as the superintendent of Gardner Elementary School District 72C in 1986, is now in his seventh season as Kris Kringle at Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet.
Q. What is popular this year?
A. Barbie is popular with the girls. Nintendo 64 is popular with the boys. Some of the kids want to ride Santa’s sleigh. They have watched the Tim Allen movie (“The Santa Clause”) and they want to ride Santa’s sleigh. There are a lot of requests for Walking Barbie.
Q. What do the boys and girls ask about Santa?
A. They ask about the reindeer, where are they and what are they doing? Some ask if I am real. I try to change the subject, but if they persist, I say, “You can believe what you want to believe.”
Q. What is popular with older boys and girls?
A. Older girls want boyfriends. Boys are wanting a million dollars. Some of the girls want automobiles. I ask them what year of school they are in, and if they are sophomores, I say, “Have you taken driver’s education?” If they say yes, I say Santa will do the best he can. In fact, you might look in your stocking Christmas morning.
Q. What are some of the memorable requests you have had over the years?
A. There was an occasion when a couple came up and talked to Santa. I asked the girl what she wanted and she said, “I want this guy to marry me.” I said, “Has he asked yet?” She said no. I turned to this fellow and said, “If you don’t propose to this girl, there will be nothing in your Christmas stocking.” A few minutes later, they came out of a jewelry store and she held up her finger and she had a diamond on it.
Q. What does Santa want this year when he goes down the chimney?
A. Cookies. Cookies. They should have cookies and milk for Santa. When they ask what Santa wants for Christmas, I say, “I just want all the boys and girls to be happy.”
