HINCKLEY – Santa was kind enough to share a few secrets from scores of children he visited with during his stop at Greensmith Landscaping of Hinckley on Nov. 26. Santa arrived at Greensmith in style via a bright red fire engine, courtesy of the Hinckley Fire Department (the reindeer were resting up at the North Pole for a busy Christmas Eve ahead.)
For over 10 years, Greensmith has hosted free visits with Santa and parents were free to take their own pictures. Santa received his visitors sitting in a sleigh on the porch of the rear building and had Mrs. Claus and a little elf to help him. Children patiently waited their turn inside the building, with sparkling decorations everywhere, and enjoyed free hot cocoa and cookies.
“I want children to have a place to go where they can visit Santa for free and also allow parents to take their own pictures,” said Kristyn Kolozvary of Greensmith. “Lines at the mall can be so long and the pictures expensive, this helps parents keep holiday costs down. We also collect Toys for Tots as well.”
Connie King of Hinckley said her family has been coming to Greensmith for their visit with Santa for over 10 years. Her family puts up both a real and artificial tree.
“We enjoy looking for the perfect tree each year,” said King.
King’s 13-year old daughter Rachel had her own Christmas wishes.
“I want this holiday season to be the best ever,” Rachel said. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family with no electronic interruptions – except for watching Hallmark Christmas movies on television.”
As the line to visit with Santa slowed for just a moment, he was asked what the most popular toys boys and girls were asking for.
“A lot of girls want Hatchamils (an interactive toy that hatches from a plastic egg into a furry animal) and many, many, boys want some sort of drone plane,” said Santa.
Santa was asked one last questions and that was, “Just how do you get around to so many homes in just one night?”
“I have a good team of reindeer and a lot of magic working for me,” replied Santa.