Christmas gifts are for the young and young at heart. And for children, they are the ultimate source of excitement, flying straight into their homes from the North Pole.
As early as the Gloucester Gazette in 1921, children were sending letters to Santa Claus in care of the newspaper. Here we reprint some delightful wants and thoughts from the past, 1921 through 2011, from the Gazette, the Mathews Journal, and the Gazette-Journal.
December 1921: Dear Santie, I am a little girl seven years old. I want you to bring me a doll that will open and shut her eyes, a bed, a tub, a middie suit and some Good things to eat. And don’t forget Naomi and Willie. Your little girl, Huldah Roane, Roanes, Va.
December 1931: Hallieford, Va. Dear Santa Claus, I am a little boy five years old and I am trying to be real good. So will you please bring me a big tricycle, a gum pair of boots and a big ball and lots of goodies. I shall go to bed real early Xmas Eve. Please remember all the little boys and girls. Your little friend, Ervis C. Morris.
December 1941: Ark, Va. Dear Santa: I am a little boy 3 years old. Mother says that I have been real good this year. I would like for you to bring me a wagon, a pistol, an airplane and a car, also fruits, candies and nuts. Please don’t forget my little sister, Barbara Ann, who is 5 years old. She would like to have a big ball, a pair of scissors, wrist watch, dresses and a toy telephone, and also some goodies.
Don’t forget mother and dad and all the other little girls and boys. Your little boy, Charles Beverly Sears.
December 1951: Pinetta, Va. Dear Santa Claus, I am eight years old. I am in the third grade. Mother said I am a good little boy. I want you to bring me a B-B gun, a Roy Rogers cowboy suit, a diving submarine that will dive under the water 5 feet, a cap gun, a harmonica, a flying saucer gun, an adding machine and some candy and nuts. Don’t forget the other little boys and girls. Franklin Howard Oliver.
December 1961: Dear Santa: I am a little girl four years old. I’ve been good this year so I’ll be looking for you. Please bring me a big doll that walks, a stove, ice box, some puzzles and clothes. Don’t forget my brother. Melody Hudgins.
December 1971: Dear Santa, I would like for you to bring me a remote control truck, a record player, a football suit and please leave me something in my stocking. Your friend, Michael Callis, Gwynn, Va.
December 1981: To all you happy Christmas people, Go Santa! Mom says, “Son, you’ve got to have some new clothes.” Chris Dickinson, 6th grade, Mathews Intermediate School.
December 1991: Dear Santa, I know I have been a little bit bad but so has my sister (Jessica). So I will only ask for one thing each. I want a tractor I can ride and please bring her a doll baby, cause that’s what girls like. Jermaine Peterson, Beaverlett, Va., age 2.
December 2001: Dear Santa, I want movies. I want to get Mama stuff. And a Scooby Doo movie. Merry Christmas! Love, Melany Slaughter.
December 2011: Dear Santa, My name is Emma. I hope you are doing well. Can you bring me a puppy? Also my baby brother, Eastin was born this year and he likes to play with all my toys. I am still learning how to share, so I would like for you to bring him some toys of his own. Thank you Santa! Emma Avanella Hogge, 2½ years old.