The Oconee County Library filled with children and parents last Thursday night – most kids dressed in their pajamas – patiently awaiting their turn to climb onto Santa's lap and let him know what they want for Christmas.

The Pajama Rama event was open to all ages.

"Anyone who believes in Santa (was) welcome," said children's librarian Jessie Johnson.  Some parents who brought their children were also dressed in their PJs.  

The evening began with Miss Jessie telling the children a story about Santa's elves making a music box for Beth and Joey's Aunt Sally in England, but they couldn't decide what the best song to use was – and they asked everyone, including Mrs. Claus, the other elves, and even the reindeer.

Each had a different suggestion, including the reindeers’ ‘Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,’ and Mrs. Claus’ ‘Silent Night.’ The kids and parents sang along to these suggestions with Miss. Jessie, before deciding that the song just wasn't right for the music box.

The story ended with the group singing 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas,' before the music box was sent off to Aunt Sally. Other songs called out by the audience included 'Frosty the Snowman' and even two-year-old Hollis Eversole's suggestion, "ABC's!"

While students filed in groups of 10-12 to the library's Glass Room, which was converted into Santa's Cozy Corner for the evening, the children waiting in the story room played holiday games and created holiday crafts, including paper reindeer ornaments and coloring pictures.  

Kids played the Frosty the Snowman game, attempting to throw balls into cutout circles where the snowman's buttons would be. Other children combined one spoonful of sprinkles, two spoonfuls of corn kernels and two spoonfuls of oats to create special reindeer food.

When they finally got to Santa's Cozy Corner, kids crawled onto Santa's lap, and poured out their Christmas morning wishes, while parents listened close by.  Requests ranged from Mariposa Barbie to Pokemon games to Hollis' request for her own kitchen.

Six-year-old David Han surprised Santa with his request for lots of money, to which Santa replied, "CDs or just regular greenbacks? And how much?"  

David felt that "about a million" would suffice.  

After being assured that Santa had made a mental note of their requests, the kids, already in their pajamas, had nothing more to do than go home, crawl into bed and hope their Christmas wishes come true.

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