Santa Makes Pre-Christmas Stop at Mazzetti's Bakery

This is the first year Santa made a pre-Christmas Eve appearance at on December 22, 2010.

Surrounded by his friendly red-clad elf, Mary Chaliois, and bakery owners Julie and Rudy Mazzetti, Santa hugged bakery patrons, listened to Christmas wishes, and handed out presents to all little and big kids happily munching donuts.

Many of Pacifica's friends and neighbors stopped by to have a look at Santa and wish him Merry Christmas.  Mayor Sue Digre and Judge Quentin Kopp were among the adult bunch who posed for pictures as well as several children who were surprised by Santa's presence.

Young and old alike were there to share their Christmas thoughts.

Two children, Eamonn, 2, and Griffin, 6, Liaens were delighted to have a few extra moments with Santa.  When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Eamonn joyfully shouted, "A cupcake!" His brother, however, was more specific.  Griffin asked Santa for a giant robot troll and a Lego submarine.

Meghan W., 6, was, at first, shy to greet Santa, but once he handed her a white stuffed bear, she smiled happily before tucking in to her sweet, morning treat.

Rosemarie, 5, excited asked Santa for her greatest wish: a purple pillow pet unicorn, and her brother Ben, 9, had the chance to ask Santa for a last minute Christmas wish: a remote control helicopter.

Also in attendance was WWII veteran, Arnold Gardner, 92. In asking him about his Christmas memories, he remembers Christmas as being a "grand occasion, with my mother, who was like an angel."

When asked his Christmas wish, Santa simply stated, "I wish the world would have peace and quiet for a change. We've been going at it a while, even since my father did this run. It's time to settle down everyone. Let's have a Merry Christmas!"