Hailey Shenette, 5, of Herman knew where she was headed after the Saxonburg parade recently.

“I'm going to see Santa,” she said.

She said that she was going to ask Santa for a doll and a bottle for that doll. Last year, she asked Santa for a doll but did not get it. She is hopeful that will not happen this year.

Of course, there can be other reasons to go see Santa in person.

“And he gives me lollipops,” said the daughter of Rob and Jennifer Shenette.

T.J. Slater, 6, of Jefferson Township knew exactly what he was going to ask for when going to see Santa.

“A real tank,” he said.

Somewhat more realistically, he also planned to ask for a Nintendo 3DS video game system.

When he was younger, he was a bit apprehensive about Santa, noting that there is a photograph of him screaming and crying on Santa's lap.

“I remember the photo I had,” said the son of Troy and Denise Slater.

Alycyn and Greyson Rhodes of Saxonburg have never found anything frightening about the man in the red suit.

“He's never scary,” Alycyn said.

And Greyson knows why.

“Because he brings us toys,” he said.

Alycyn, 6, said she would ask Santa for an American Girl Rebecca doll, while Greyson, 4, would ask for a digger. Traditionally, the duo ask Santa for one gift in person.

“Sometimes, we ask for two,” she said.

They are the children of Ryan and Michelle Rhodes.

Jacob Rowe, 6, of Cabot tends to talk to Santa more often than many other children.

“Every day,” Rowe said, to make sure that he knows he has been good.

Additionally, he is one of the elite few who noted Santa's sense of humor.

“I like to see Santa because he gives you presents and he is very, very funny,” said Rowe, who is son of Randy and Leslie Rowe.

This year, he said he will ask Santa for Legos and a construction set.

He and his family leave out cookies, for Santa, and carrots, for the reindeer, every Christmas Eve.

At the recent Zelienople Christmas parade, Bradley Hahn, 12, of Cranberry Township said he knew instantly what he wanted the Jolly Old Elf to bring him for Christmas.“I want the Super Mario 3DS game,” he said, adding that his favorite gift from Santa was a Polar Express train he received last year.Bradley's sister Victoria, 10, needed a bit more time to consider her decision.“I want ... I have no idea,” she said.Victoria Hahn finally concluded, though, that she wanted American Girl dolls and, perhaps, a more grown-up version of her previous favorite gift: a bicycle.Sisters Ava and Ellie Stewart of Harmony had somewhat opposite wishes for their gift choices.“I want a sewing machine,” said the more practical Ava, 7. “I might ask for a camera, too.”Ellie, 5, had more romantic wishes, seeking a scooter and “a surprise.”They are the daughters of Jarod and Erin Stewart.Anna Marie and Anthony Bianchi of Evans City may have put forth Christmas lists better suited for “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” host Robin Leach than Santa Claus.Hmmmm ...” considered Anna Marie, 9.“An iPod Touch, two iPads, my own bag of candy and a mini fridge,” she concluded.Anthony Bianchi's wish for an autographed Pittsburgh Steelers helmet may be likelier to be filled by Jolly Old St. Nick than his other lofty hopes.“I want a dirt bike, a real bow and arrows, and I want my own house,” said Anthony, 8.