Mayor Kevin Burns of Geneva introduces Mr. Clause during Geneva's Annual Holiday Celebration in Geneva, IL on Friday, December 07, 2012 | Sean King~For Sun-Times Media

Beacon-News reporter Steve Lord, playing Santa, takes a break between hearing children's Christmas wishes. | Submitted Photo

Santa Claus gets a high-five from Zachary Wright of Yorkville after he arrived at the annual Holiday Under the Stars event in downtown Yorkville by fire truck escort on Friday, November 16, 2012. | Jeff Cagle~For Sun-Times Media

City of Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke, Craig Foltos, of Batavia, and Santa, flip the switch to the town's Christmas tree, to the delight of hundreds at Batavia's annual Celebration of Lights festival on Sunday, November 25, 2012. | Michele du Vair~For Sun-Times Media

Jimmy and Jayleigh Haas of Montgomery visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus Sunday after tree lighting ceremonies in Montgomery. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Daphne Smith, then 5, of Aurora shares her wish list with Santa in the Phillips Park Visitors Center in Aurora. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Santa and Mrs Claus wave to people lining the streets to see the Little Friends Parade of Lights Saturday in downtown Naperville. Mary Beth Nolan~For Sun-Times Media

Santa greets kids after arriving for the 16th Annual Caroling & Caring event at Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin Tuesday night. December 4, 2012. | John Konstantaras~For Sun-Times Media

Michael R. Schmidt~For Sun-Times Media Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance Sunday afternoon at St. Catherine's in West Dundee, during The West Dundee Annual Gingerbread Party. Nearly 100 gingerbread houses were made by area residents with proceeds benefiting the FISH Pantry in Carpentersville. The food pantry has been helping over 400 family's a month during the holiday season; they still need donations.

Steve Lord