Santa Says iPads Along With Dolls And Trains Among Most Requested Gifts

Penn Central Mall played host to Santa some over the weekend. He heard requests from area girls and boys.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Christmas Season is now well underway in Oskaloosa and across the nation.

For Santa, it was a big weekend, as droves of children headed out to local shopping centers and malls around the country, and in Oskaloosa, Penn Central Mall played host to the jolly man from the North Pole.

Santa stated that most youngsters are asking for iPads and smartphones. Train sets, cars, trucks and dolls are still big requests as well.

This year will be Santa’s 28th year of riding in the Oskaloosa Lighted Christmas Parade on the Oskaloosa fire truck.

Santa says that his visits to Oskaloosa are “a lot of fun. You meet all the little boys and girls and listen to them”.

Santa shared one of his most touching requests from an Oskaloosa child. “There was one year, I’ll never forget it. He walked up the sidewalk to me.”

Santa asked the youngster’s name, and asked him what he wanted for Christmas. The child responded, “The only thing I want for Christmas Santa, is for my grandpa to come out of the hospital.”

Nationwide, the top items in gift giving this year include: Star Wars gear, coffee, wine, fashion items and tech items, such as 360 degree cameras.