Santa, Smiles, Seasonal Spirit Shine at Swampscott Toys for Local Children Event

A boy ran up to Santa and told him what he wants for Christmas || Monica Sager
Siblings had breakfast together || Monica Sager
Children “mailed” letters to Santa || Monica Sager
Children colored mini puzzles || Monica Sager
Sisters stand with Santa || Monica Sager
Families enjoyed the holiday breakfast || Monica Sager
Swampscott’s Toys for Local Children’s Ashley Mast and Jaclyn Wilson with Santa || Monica Sager
Children dressed in their Christmas best with Santa || Monica Sager
Brothers with matching sweaters met Santa || Monica Sager
One family brought their Elf on the Shelf, named Elf || Monica Sager
Breakfast options included donuts, bagels, muffins and hot chocolate || Monica Sager
High school students volunteered to help with crafts || Monica Sager
A letter was written to Santa || Monica Sager
Families gathered for holiday photos || Monica Sager
Dozens of families came to the event || Monica Sager
Children made beaded bracelets || Monica Sager
There was a candy cane reindeer craft || Monica Sager
Donations were made to Swampscott’s Toys for Local Children || Monica Sager
Families met Santa || Monica Sager
Children enjoyed crafts || Monica Sager
A mother helps her child send a letter to Santa || Monica Sager
Breakfast was served || Monica Sager

The holiday spirit was alive at the Swampscott Senior Center on Saturday, as families visited Santa, enjoyed breakfast, and completed holiday crafts during an event supporting the Swampscott Toys for Local Children group, run by the Recreation Department and the Swampscott Middle School Parents Teachers Organization.

“It puts me in the holiday spirit,” said Toys for Local Children co-head Ashley Mast. “Everyone is so happy.”

Entry to the event served as a donation to Swampscott’s Toys for Local Children, which will help ensure that families throughout the area receive toys and warm clothing this holiday season.

Bob Holden has worked as a real-beard Santa Claus throughout New England for more than 14 years, making appearances at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, the Square One Mall in Saugus, and the Burlington Mall.

“People now come for him,” said Toys for Local Children co-head Jaclyn Wilson. “They come back because he is so magical.”

Wilson noted that Santa is especially great with children, asking about their wishlists and sometimes even knowing their names before they approach.

Children shared a wide range of Christmas wishes, from coloring books and robots to a purple puppy and Minecraft toys.

Children also had the chance to write out their wishlists to Santa on Saturday, placing their letters in a mailbox that Recreation Director Charlotte Daher de Garcia said the Department of Public Works helped paint.

Seniors in the town’s tax write-off program will help Santa write letters back to the children, and the responses will be mailed out.

In addition to the letters, children made candy-cane reindeer and bracelets and colored their own mini puzzles, with volunteer high school students assisting in the craft room.

There will be another Toys for Local Children event at the Swampscott Yacht Club on Sunday.

There are numerous other Recreation Department events coming up for the holidays: